Re: Greek Brides Thread

Re: Greek Brides Thread

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Posted by dani18

So this past weekend my FH and I went to meet the priest at holy trinity in new rochelle. I LOVE HIM!!! he is awesome and VERY liberal!!! He told us that we could exchange the traditional vows...and that I could bring a catholic priest to do a blessing. I was worried that he was going to make me promise to raise my children GO...but he told us not to listen to what anyone says and to do whatever we want and feel comfortable doing!!! What a relief! the actual ceremony is like 35 minutes and it can all be done in english The church is small and cute. I'm so happy!!

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Father Nick married my DH and I . He is the best!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Greek Brides Thread

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Posted by Athee07

Either Anastasias or the other place I forget the name on Francis Lewis

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I wouldn't go to Anastasia's! That woman is nasty!! My koumbara and I made a big mistake using her for the favors!! Go to Portara!

Re: Greek Brides Thread

Hi girls,

I don't post much, but I could really use some help. My Fiance is Greek but my family are from England. As our wedding is in the Greek Orthodox church I would like to write a piece in our program that explains the meaning of the Greek wedding, so that any of our guest who are not familiar with the ceremony may have some idea what is happening during the service.
I have done an internet search but not found anything very helpful. Would any of you have suggestions as to where I would find this sort of information.
Thank you.

Re: Greek Brides Thread

If I can remeber correctly, I think if you do a search you can find one on this website.
Check out page 1 or 2 of this thread. There is an active link .

Re: Greek Brides Thread

http://www.ultimatewedding.com/articles/get.php?action=getarticle&articleid=921

A Greek Orthodox Wedding

The Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony is an ancient and beautiful service. A unique part of the ceremony is that the Bride and Groom do not say any vows. The ceremony itself shows the couples? willingness to come forward and be married, and accept God into their new home.

The ceremony consists of two parts: The Service of Betrothal and the Ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage. Each part of the ceremony has a special meaning and is significant in the joining of husband and wife. The ceremony starts as the Bride and Groom are each handed white candles to symbolize their willingness to accept Christ into their lives.

Some important elements of the GO ceremony include that the couple must have a religious sponsor(s). They are called Koumbaro (male) or Koumbara (female). They serve as an important witness to the union. Also, during the ceremony, certain acts and phrases are repeated three times. This represents the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The Service of Betrothal

The focus of the Betrothal is the exchanging of rings. The priest starts by blessing the rings and the couple.
The rings are then placed on the third fingers of the right hands of the Bride and Groom. The reason the rings are placed on the right hand is because it is the right hand of God that blesses, and to which Christ ascended. The Koumbara or Koumbaro then exchanges the rings three times on the couples? fingers. This symbolizes the strength of the married couple.

The Ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage

The Sacrament of Marriage consists of many important parts. As the priest concludes his prayers, he joins the right hands together of the Bride and Groom, and they stay joined until the end of the ceremony to signify the union of the couple.

The Crowning
The crowning of the couple with the stefana (two flowered crowns attached by white ribbon) signifies glory and honor that God crowns them with. The ribbon symbolizes the unity of the couple. The Koumbaro or Koumbara also plays a part by interchanging the crowns on the couples? heads.

The Common Cup
The crowning is followed by readings of the Epistle and the Gospel. The Gospel reading describes the marriage of Cana at Galilee, which was blessed by Christ and where He performed his first miracle. The miracle converted water into wine and was given to the newlyweds. Thus, wine is given to the couple as a remembrance.

The Ceremonial Walk
The priest will then lead the Bride and Groom around a table on the altar three times. On the table are the Gospel and Cross. The steps around the table represent the unending journey of husband and wife. The Koumbaro or Koumbara walks behind the married couple holding the stefana in place.

The Removal of the Crowns
After the Ceremonial Walk, the priest blesses the couple. The priest then removes the crowns and asks God to grant the couple a long, happy life together. He then separates the couples? joined hands, reminding them that only God can separate the couple from one another.

This concludes the ceremony and the Bride and Groom are officially married!!

Other Important Facts

The Greek Orthodox faith is conservative, yet emblematic at the same time. It is very fulfilling spiritually. If a couple wishes to be married in the GO church, there are a few thoughts to keep in mind. One member of the couple must be Greek Orthodox. The non-GO partner must be baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity. Also, the couple cannot get married on certain holy days. The three greatest ones that come to mind are Lent, the first two weeks in August, and January 5th, the eve of Epiphany. Easter is the greatest holiday in the GO church, and Lent is a time of prayer, remembrance, and worship. August 15th is the Assumption of the Virgin Mary; the day believed to be when Mary ascended into Heaven after her death. Epiphany principally commemorates the revelation to the Gentiles of Jesus Christ as the Savior, as portrayed by the coming of the Three Wise Men.

Flower Girl and Ring Bearer?

Hi Girls Thank you for the reply, very helpful I haven't been on for sometime, I had to take a break from planning, but am almost there with the wedding programs. Thanks to help from you all on this website and the priest at my church I have almost finished the programs.
I have a question for you all... if you can help.?....i would like my ring bearer and flower girl to walk down the isle together, as I think they will be happier doing this than by themselves. My sister in law has just finished telling me that it is not traditional to do this and that in the Greek church the priests are very strict that the girls and boys walk separately to symbolize the bride being single........I have so much stress right now why do people have to add more over such small details.
What do you all think?

Thanks so much needed to vent a little.

Re: Greek Brides Thread

Never heard that. My priest had a hangup about three down the aisle at the same time. All my bridesmaids (except the koumbaro) escorted in the girls. I had my two little neices escorted by my jr groomsman and two flower girls with the ring bearer, who was really little and just ended up holding the girls hands. The week before the wedding he told me make them all an even number. I said ok. The day of the wedding we sent them 'as planned' down the aisle and I never heard anything about it.

Re: Greek Brides Thread

Hmm.. thats funny I had never heard that but I had my BMs walk in alone (w/ no groomsmen) just cause thats what I wanted and the person running my rehearsal kept saying 'good, very good' about it and I just thought 'cause it was easier that way but I bet that's why...its all making so much sense now...but in reality I think depending on the church they'll probably let you do it how you want

Re: Greek Brides Thread

Thanks girls, you have made me feel better.

Re: Greek Brides Thread

Hi. I am a greek bride--FH is Catholic. He is leaving the Koumbara-koumbaro decision up to me---- I was thinking my brother could do it.. Do you think it would be wierd since I already baptised one of his kids and therefore am already his koumbara?

Re: Greek Brides Thread

Well, the only thing I would suggest is that he then would not be a possiblility as Godparent for any of your children. Someone once described it as giving the ladi or oil back.

Re: Greek Brides Thread

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Posted by kat74

Hi. I am a greek bride--FH is Catholic. He is leaving the Koumbara-koumbaro decision up to me---- I was thinking my brother could do it.. Do you think it would be wierd since I already baptised one of his kids and therefore am already his koumbara?

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Hey sweety... yes ur borher can be ur koumbaro.. the only thing that he cant do it baptize one of ur children cuz thenit will be as he is giving the oil back to you. He can do ur stefana no problem. Actually my goddaughter mother is doing my stefana and we called the church to make sure it is something that is allowed.. they said yes as long as no baptisms are involved.

Re: Greek Brides Thread

hey girls, Im greek also, but FH is not Greek or Cathlic, he is luthran and the Greek church wil not marry us, unless he gets baptized and I do not want him to get rebaptized but anyway its nice to have some greek brides.

Re: Greek Brides Thread

bump to keep the thread going