Re: Greek Brides??

Olga-I would agree with your cousin on the stefana. Everything i saw in Astoria was cheesy that's why I bought mine in Greece. But I guess it also depends on taste too.

Re: Greek Brides??

The selection is Astoria is definitely very limited. When i went looking for my cousin's stefana about six years ago of all the ones that they showed us i didnt liek any and had the lady at noufaro order more from greece so we could choose. All of the ones she has come from greece. The one's at eleni's were the metal ones, whcih i personally didnt like. I also am not crazy about the porcelain stefan either. I want to have the same ones that my mom had for her wedding - so i am going to have to ask if they can order somehting like that - unless FH and I go to greece next summer

Re: Greek Brides??

As far as the GTG goes, Saturday is better for me. Who else is in?

Re: Greek Brides??

Girls, i know this is a weird request, but do any of you have any sisters or cousins?? I'm looking for a girlfriend for my koumbaro, who also happens to be my future brother in law!! He is 34 and looking for a nice greek girl!!! HELP ME!!!!

Re: Greek Brides??

I have a 23 year old cousin looking but she's a midget! lol but I love her lol

Re: Greek Brides??

Sat is good for me


My MOH is single - she's 24 though - she is an awesome greek girl!

Re: Greek Brides'

Hello Everyone! I noticed the topic of conversation I just wanted to see if anyone could tell me a little bit about the Greek Wedding. My FH is greek and we will be getting married in St. Nicholas Church. He went to school there but suprisingly his family is not the ordinary greek family. They dont speak greek but we celebrate all the holidays and eat lots of good greek food. I still can not get over that they dont speak greek!
We went to the church and requested Father Paul. He was a very nice man. Just tell me if there is anything I should know. I know about the crowns and the walking around the table 3 times I believe.
Anything you can tell me would be appreciated!
Thanks
Karesse

Re: Greek Brides'

I'm getting married at St. Nicks. I would change Father Paul - check the old convos on this thread. FM me if you want. I also think that Attica QT posted a program from a Greek Wedding - do a search!


Welcome! I went to St. Nicks!!! What year did your FH graduate!

Re: Greek Brides??

KandB - i suggest getting the book 'A Guide to Greek Traditions in America' by Marilyn Rouvelas. If you do a google search it will come up and u can order it. It does a great job of explaning all the greek traditions and customs, including the marriage and wedding customs. Hope this helps and WELCOME!! We are all very helpful here so feel free to ask any questions!

Re: Greek Brides??

Congrats and Welcome Karesse!


I did a search and finally found the program that I posted a while back - hope this helps a bit -

HOLY MATRIMONY

Holy Matrimony is a Sacrament of teh Greek Orthodox Church in which a woman and a man solemly vow before Christ, the priest, and the congregation to be true to each other for life. Their union is blessed by Christ through the Church. God's grace is imparted to them top live together in His love, mutually fulfilling and perfecting each other.
THe marriage ceremony of the Greek Orthodox Church is unique in that nor words are exchanged between bride and groom. It is filled with ritual and symbolism. Each of the acts which you will witness today hold a special meaning and significance.

THE JOINING OF THE RIGHT HANDS

THe right hand of the bride and groom are joined when teh priest reads the prayer that beseeches God to 'join these thy servant, unite them in one mind and one flesh.' The hands are kept joined throughout the service to symbolize the 'oneness' of the couple.

THE CANDLES

The wedding service begins immediately following teh Bethrothal Service. The bride and groom are handed candles with the satin ribbons and addorned with springs of orange blossoms which bring fruitfulness to the marriage. The candles are like the lamps of teh five wise maidens of the Bible, who because they had enough oil in their lamps, were able to receive teh Bride-groom, Christ, when he came in the darkness of the night. THe candles symbolize teh spiritual willingness of the couple to receive Christ, who will belss them through this sacrament.

THE CROWNING

The office of the crowning, which follows, is the climax of teh wedding service. THe crowns are signs of the glory and honor with which God growns the bride and groom during teh sacrament. They are crowned as queen and king of their own little kingdom, their home, which they will rule with wisdom, justice, and integrity.

When the crowning takes place, the priest, taking the crowns and holding them above the couple, says 'The servants god, (insert couples name), are crowned in teh name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.'

Some interprety the crowns used in the Orthodox wedding ceremony to refer to the crowns of martyrdom since every true marriage invovled immesurable self-sacrifice on both sides.

THE CEREMONIAL WALK

WIth crowns in place and linked to each other by a ribbon, the priest then leads the groom, who leads the bride, in a procession around the altar three times. On the altar are placed the Gospel and the Cross. The one containing the word of God, the other being the symbol of our redemption by Christ. THis is the first walk that the couple takes as husband and wife. The Church, in the person of the priest, leads them in the way they must walk. This way is symbolized by the circle, at the center of which are the Gospel and the Cross of our Lord. This expresses the fact that the way of teh Chirstian liviing is a perfect orbit and the center of life, who is Jesus Christ our Lord.

During the ceremonial walk around the table a hymn is sung to teh Holy Martyrs reminding the newly married couple of the sacrificial love tehy are to have for one another in marriage; a love that seeks not its own, but is willing to sacrifice it all for the one loved.

THE COMMON CUP

THe rite of the crowning is followed by teh reading of the Epistle and the Gospel. THe Gospel reading describes the marriage at Cana of Galilee which was attended and blessed by Christ and for which He reserved His first miracle. There He coverted water to wine and gave of it to teh newlyweds. In remembrance of this blessing, wine is give to the couple. THis is the 'common cup' of life denoting the mutual sharing of joy and shorrow, the token of a life of harmony. THe drinking of the wine from the common cup serves to impress upon the couple that from that moment on they will share everything in life, joys as well as sorrows, and that they are to 'bear one another's burdens.' Through sharing their joys will be doubled and their sorrows halved.

THE RINGS

THe rings are blessed by the priest who takes them in his hand, and making the sign of the corss over thier heads, says, 'The servant of God, (insert grooms name), is betrothed to the maid of God, (Insert brides name), in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.'

THe rings, which are the symbol of the betrothal from the most ancient times, are then exchanged by the koumbaro/koumbara, by taking the bride's ring and placing it on the groom's finger and vice versa. This exchange signifies that in married life the weakness of the one parner will be compensated for by the strengths of the other. Alone, the newly-betroithed are incomplete, but together they are made perfect, whole. THus, the exchange of the rings gives the expression to the fact that the spouses, in marriage, will constantly be complimenting each other; each being enriched by the union.

THE BLESSING

THe couple return to their places and teh priest, blessing the groom says, 'Be though magnified, O bridegroom, as Abraham, and blessed as Isaac, and increased as Jacob, walking in peac and working in righteous and the commandments of God.' And blessing the bride he says, 'And though, O bride, be thou magnified as Sarah, and glad as Rebecca and do thou increase like unto Rachael, rejoicing in thine own husband, fulfilling the conditions of the law; for so it is well pleasing to God.'

Re: Greek Brides??

Thanks for everyone's help! I printed out your post and plan to read it on my way home from work!
Um, could anyone tell me why I should not use Father Paul at St. Nick's? My fiance's neighbors used him for the christining of both thier children. We met with him once to book the date and he seemed nice but remeber i don't know him like you would and Billy's family does not either. The priest that was there before I dont remember his name was their favorite they knew him since he was in kindergarden there and Billy was in the same class as the priet's son. But he is not a priest at their church anymore I heard he was a blessing! But i heard that if he was there our ceremony would be 3 hours long!!! The longer they know you the longer they talk! lol.
Well let me know whatever you can!
And could anyone tell me anout this swap meet at Jillians? I read a little somewhere but I am at work so I cant really be 'chit chatting' Thanks again!
Karesse

Re: Greek Brides??

I'd like info on the swap meet too!

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Welcome K and B! I agree with Junebride04. FMIL gave me that book and it's great. Fh is Greek, I'm not but we're getting married in the GO church. That book taught me a lot.

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welcome to the boards.... I was married at St. Nicks by Father Paul. I really like him and the service was beautiful. Good luck and happy planning.

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Thank you Marcela & Scoop!
Happy planning to all of you as well!

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Hi everyone! How was the weekend?

FH and I were supposed to go to the island this weekend, but did not He got a sinus infection and bad cold and was out of work from Thursday until Tuesday... Poor guy... he was miserable.

Welcome to the Boards KandB!

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Hello Deby
Thank you for the welcome!
When and where will u be getting married?

Re: Greek Brides??

I am getting marries on April 25, 2004 at the Metropolitan (in Glen Cove). The church is St. D's of Astoria.

Time is going so fast! I remember having over a year to plan... and now it's less than 8 months!

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Hey girls! Going today to astoria to check out some boubounieres and stefana and what not - any thoughts?

Re: Greek Brides??

good luck!