Let us create a 3D eBook for you!
Let us create a 3d Digital eBook for you! DigyCat.com

SuccessfulMatchCentral.com - the best dating site for plus-sized singles!
SuccessfulMatchCentral.com - the best site if you are loking for that special date!

Whats in a Greek Wedding?


The wedding service in the Greek Orthodox faith is an ancient and beautiful ceremony, which has been celebrated in its current form for centuries. The wedding ceremony is full of symbolism and is a great experience if you have never attended one before, because it is likely to be quite different from other weddings you have attended in Western Europe. The service is also rather unique because the bride and groom do not make vows to each other - their presence together in the church is taken to mean that they are serious about getting married. There are no wedding rehearsals and the ceremony usually has a very relaxed atmosphere - guests take photos whenever they want to and often chat quietly among themselves throughout the ceremony.

The Beginning of the Wedding

In most cases the wedding guests will wait with the groom outside the church until the bride arrives (a few sneaky wedding pros will go into the church early to secure a good seat). In the Summer, when most weddings take place, it is not unusual for ceremonies to be arranged back to back, so the guests attending a marriage will often stand around with those who have just attended the previous wedding are ready to leave. Wedding dress commentators among the crowd will get to consider and discuss at least two brides and maybe even a third as they leave the church - bargain! Meanwhile, the groom waits for the bride at the entrance to the church, often holding her floral bouquet. He hands it to her as they meet and they then go inside together followed by the guests. There is no separation of the guests into guests of the bride and guests of the groom - everyone sits together and in the case of small churches, many people prefer to stand in a spot where they can get a good view of the proceedings.

Service of Betrothal

The wedding ceremony itself is in two parts: the Service of Betrothal and the Ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage. The exchanging of rings is the focus of the Service of Betrothal. The priest blesses the rings by holding them in his right hand and making the sign of the cross over the heads of the bride and groom. The rings are then placed on the third fingers of their right hands. The Koumbaro, the couple's religious sponsor, then swaps the rings over between the bride and groom's fingers, three times. A number of rituals in the ceremony are repeated three times and this symbolises the Holy Trinity: God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage

This Ceremony consists of several key parts. First, several prayers are said and then as they come to an end, the priest joins the right hands of the bride and groom. Their hands remain joined until the end of the wedding ceremony, which symbolises the couple's union.

The Crowning

The bride and groom are crowned with thin crowns, or stefana, which are joined by a white ribbon and have been blessed by the priest. The crowns symbolise the glory and honour that is being bestowed on them by God, and the the ribbon symbolises their unity. The koumbaro then exchanges the crowns between the heads of the couple, three times.

The Common Cup

The crowning is followed by a reading of the Gospel, which tells of the marriage of Cana at Galilee. It was at this wedding that Jesus performed his first miracle, changing water into wine, which was then given to the married couple. Wine is given to the couple and they each drink from it three times.

The Ceremonial Walk

The priest the leads the couple, who are still wearing their stefana, three times around the altar on their first steps as a married couple. The Koumbaro follows close behind the couple holding the stefana place. At this point the couple (and anyone standing nearby) is usually showered with rice, which was earlier handed out to the wedding guests. The priest will often make use of the bible he is holding to give himself some protection!

The Removal of the Crowns

When the Ceremonial Walk has ended, the priest blesses the couple, the crowns are removed and he then separates their previously joined hands with the bible, reminding them that only God can break the union which they have just entered into.

Wedding traditions

Unfortunately, a lot of the information available on Greek Orthodox wedding traditions is a little outdated and contains generalisations that give the impression that certain traditions are followed by everyone who gets married. Some of these traditions are set out below.


  • The baking of bread and cakes containing coins.

  • Rolling a baby on the marital bed to encourage fertility.

  • The throwing of money onto the marital bed.

  • The pinning of money onto the bride (and sometimes also the groom) at the wedding reception.


Although these rituals are seen as traditional, fewer and fewer young people marrying today are following them, because they are seen as old-fashioned. Many people do not wish to put their guests through the ordeal of other people being able to see how much money they pin on the bride, for example. Although money is still a very common, as well as practical, wedding present it is often given to the couple before the wedding day or to a third person at the wedding reception, for safe-keeping. Greeks living in the more remote parts of Greece and abroad, who will naturally feel more strongly about doing things the traditional way, are more likely to follow these traditions than those living in Athens, for example. Like weddings in many places, Greek weddings are changing. At the time of writing, there is a growing fashion to go and get married on an island and I recently heard someone say that he was looking into getting married in a ski resort. He was wisely advised by a friend: "You had better first ask the priest if he wants to perform a marriage up a mountain"!

Emmanuel Mendonca is the webmaster of Greece Travel Articles - a source of interesting articles and information about visiting, living and working in Greece.


MORE RESOURCES:

William & Kate - Royal Wedding

Stephenville resident has lifelong fascination with the Queen, Royal Family - Stephenville Georgian


Stephenville Georgian

Stephenville resident has lifelong fascination with the Queen, Royal Family
Stephenville Georgian
In addition to watching weddings and other events on television, Sarah has kept upwith the Royal Family by collecting books, magazines and other royal-themed memorabilia. "I watched the nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton on TV while ...

'Diamond Jubilee Could Harm The Economy' - Sky News


Sky News

'Diamond Jubilee Could Harm The Economy'
Sky News
Alan Clarke, UK and eurozone economist at Scotiabank, said: "I expect a drag on growth of at least as much as during the Kate and William wedding, and possibly more. "The royal wedding fell around Easter, when people normally take time off work.
Canadians honoured on Queen's diamond jubileeToronto Sun
No Jubilee for republicans – or royalistsSpiked
It's the Queen's 60th Anniversary: Why Is Britain Still a Monarchy?The Atlantic
Scotsman -Spenborough Guardian -National Post
all 2,570 news articles »

Trouble In Paradise For Prince William and Kate? - Entertainmentwise


Entertainmentwise

Trouble In Paradise For Prince William and Kate?
Entertainmentwise
The honeymoon phase is over for Prince William and Kate Middleton with claims the two have been frequently arguing. The Duke and Duchess Of Cambridge, whose fairy-tale wedding captured the world last year, are said to be having problems in their ...
Prince William first fight with KateGreat New Movies
Prince William and Kate Middleton had their first big fightMJB Star
Kate Middleton And Prince William Have Nasty FightCelebrity Dirty Laundry
OK! Magazine -Express.co.uk -PerezHilton.com
all 225 news articles »

A Rogue's Romance - San Francisco Chronicle


San Francisco Chronicle

A Rogue's Romance
San Francisco Chronicle
Around this time last year, a vodka company approached me, asking if I would create a cocktail that would be appropriate to hoist in honor of the wedding of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton. I was born in the United Kingdom, and I've always ...

People in the news - UPI.com


UPI.com

People in the news
UPI.com
Visitors from around the world are expected to arrive in London this week for the royal wedding of HRH Prince William and Kate Middleton, which will take place on April 29, 2011. UPI/ David Silpa By United Press International BEN GAZZARA: Actor Ben ...

and more »

100 Episodes of Gossip - Suffolk Voice


100 Episodes of Gossip
Suffolk Voice
The Royal Wedding of Prince Louis and Blair Waldorf could have rivaled that of Prince William and Kate Middleton, secrets were revealed and major plot twists occurred. Since the start of their love three seasons ago, 'Gossip' fans have followed the ...

and more »

Is Pippa Middleton Loved Up with George Percy?! - Gather Celebs News Channel


Entertainmentwise

Is Pippa Middleton Loved Up with George Percy?!
Gather Celebs News Channel
It hasn't been a year since the Royal Wedding yet, but while Kate looks after her new puppy and William reports for duty in the Falklands, it's Pippa Middleton who is stealing the headlines! The latest reports suggest Pippa and George Percy, ...
Punter bets on Earl Percy marrying Pippa MiddletonSunday Sun
Royal bridesmaid reportedly in serious relationship with George PercyEntertainmentwise
Pippa Middleton dating rich young nobleNew York Daily News
Gather.com
all 115 news articles »

Diamond Jubilee: How the Queen is making Kate Middleton great - Mirror.co.uk


stv.tv

Diamond Jubilee: How the Queen is making Kate Middleton great
Mirror.co.uk
Nothing could have told the Queen more clearly how important Kate Middleton was going to be to the Royal Family. It was clear that the wedding of commoner Kate to her grandson Prince William had inspired the nation – and beyond, as two billion people ...
Cocker Spaniel puppy for Duchess of Cambridge and Prince WilliamTelegraph.co.uk
Kate Middleton delights and impresses the Queenstv.tv
Kate Middleton is 'Hat Person of the Year'Emirates 24/7
USA TODAY -Detroit Free Press
all 368 news articles »

Puppy loves grips Prince William and Kate Middleton - Toronto Star


HULIQ

Puppy loves grips Prince William and Kate Middleton
Toronto Star
Thestar.com More about Royal Wedding» Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge were spotted walking along a beach in Wales apparently enjoying the solitude. But what's this? Something black and furry nipping at their wellies-covered heels.
Kate Middleton always working out to stay thin, exercise best way to lose weightHULIQ
After WE, Madonna Wants To Make A Kate Middleton/Prince William RomanceCrushable
Turning 30 easy for Kate Middleton thanks to Royal Family birthday partyGreen Celebrity Network
Tempo
all 126 news articles »

William and Kate's travel souvenirs: snow goggles, Vegemite and rubble - The Guardian


The Guardian

William and Kate's travel souvenirs: snow goggles, Vegemite and rubble
The Guardian
In the case of one individual who bumped into Prince William on a tour of Australia last year, it was a jar of Vegemite, the local equivalent of Marmite. When William went on to Canada with his bride after the royal wedding last summer, the presents ...
William And Kate's Wedding Gifts: Strangest Presents From The CommonwealthHuffington Post
Revealed: How William and Kate got everything from snow goggles to mosquito ...National Post
Duchess' style boosts UK economyStuff.co.nz
3News NZ -Gather Celebs News Channel
all 930 news articles »

SuccessfulMatchCentral.com - the best dating site for plus-sized singles!
SuccessfulMatchCentral.com

Click here for Best Buy In-Store Pickup

StreetSideAuto.com

Looking For Royalty Free Photos for your Website, Business or Advertising?

My Life Through The Lens

DietRight.biz Domain Is For Sale - $8,500 For Enquiries eMail Us

© www.DietRight.biz 2011

home | site map | links

eXTReMe Tracker