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Holy Matrimony.

There are two parts to the Orthodox wedding service. In the first part of the service the couple express their agreement and consent to the marriage. They are betrothed, and exchange rings as a symbol of their union. In the second part of the service the union of two people is blessed, taking it into a spiritual dimension. The wedding crowns are the visible token of this blessing.

The Betrothal.

"Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen."

The priest greets the couple at the entrance of the church, and hands them lighted wedding candles. Then he leads them to the table set up in the middle of the church. A litany and prayers follow.

"O eternal God, who brought things which were divided into unity, and established an unbroken bond between them, who blessed Isaac and Rebecca and made them heirs of your promise: Bless these, your servants, guiding them in every good work."

The priest blesses the two wedding rings over the Book of the Gospels, then he blesses the groom and the bride with the rings. Next, the best man takes the rings and blesses the couple. Finally the groom places the ring on his bride's hand, and the bride places the ring on her groom's hand.

A ring symbolises the circle of eternity. An exchange of rings symbolises the union of the couple, and their voluntary agreement to share together all that life brings them.

Next there are verses from the psalms, which reflect the blessings of married life.

"Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine on the walls of your house; your children like newly planted olive trees round about your table."

The Crowning.

"Blessed is the kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit …"

The crowning service begins with the blessing. Things of this world are about to be lifted into the heavenly realm.

There are long prayers asking the Lord to grant the couple a peaceful life, length of days, fullness of all the good things of life, chastity, mutual love, children who are filled with grace, and an unfading crown of glory in the heavens. The prayers end with the priest joining the couple together, hand in hand.

Now the priest blesses the wedding crowns on the Book of the Gospels, and begins the crowning. First he crowns the groom for his bride, then the bride for her groom. Then the best man stands behind the couple, and swaps their crowns 3 times -- so that the crowns are exchanged.

The crowns are linked together with a long ribbon, and tell us the meaning of marriage. These are crowns of victory for a faithful couple, crowns of martyrdom because marriage sometimes requires self sacrifice, and crowns of the kingdom. Marriage is blessed to be a spiritual path.

Readings from the Epistle and Gospel follow. Marriage is a great mystery, says Saint Paul, like the union of Christ and His Church. More prayers follow, then everyone joins in saying the Lord's Prayer together.

The priest blesses a cup of wine for the couple to share. "O God, who made all things by your power, and established the world, and adorned the crown of everything you made: Bless with a spiritual blessing this common cup, which you offer to those joined in marriage."

As the couple sip from the cup, the choir chants: "I will take the cup of salvation, and I will call on the name of the lord." Already the bride and groom begin to share their life together. They set out on their journey.

The priest takes the Book of the Gospels and leads the couple 3 times round the middle of the church. The bride and groom hold hands, and the best man follows behind, holding up the ribbon which joins their crowns. It is the custom to throw rice on the couple at this point, as a sign of fertility, so they will be blessed with children.

As the couple begin their life's journey together, the choir sings the joyful song known as the Dance of Isaiah:

"Oh Isaiah dance for joy, for the Virgin is with child; He is both God and man, and Orient is His name. Magnifying Him, we call the Virgin blessed."

There is another blessing for the Bride and Groom.

"Be magnified, O bridegroom, like Abraham, and be blessed like Isaac, and multiply like Jacob, walking in peace and fulfilling in righteousness the commandments of God."

"And you, O bride, be glorified like Sarah, and be glad like Rebecca, and multiply like Rachel, rejoicing in your husband, and observing the requirements of the law, for so God is well pleased."

The crowns are taken up, and the priest places them back on the table. The couple will keep their crowns in their home to remind them of this day, and of the marriage union.

The service ends with a final blessing for the couple, and a blessing for all the congregation.

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