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Greek ceremony question

cj7305 Posted:

Greek ceremony question

Hi, I am getting married in a Greek Orthodox church and am trying to make programs for the church that explain the ceremony. I am not entirely sure of all of the traditions and I have alot of guests that are not greek. Does anybody have any info or websites that I could look at for help? Thanks so much!

junebride04 Posted:

Re: Greek ceremony question

You have FM
libride Posted:

Re: Greek ceremony question

I too would greatly appreciate information on the Greek ceremony.

I can be reached via email at [email protected].

Thank you very much!!
gNi1125 Posted:

Re: Greek ceremony question

My mother had brought me a pamphlet from the church that explained everything thouroughly. I can't seem to find it though. Here is an explanation I had saved online:

Greek Orthodox Wedding Ceremony:

The Service of the Crowning
The Service of the Crowning is the wedding proper. It is highlighted by seven significant acts:



The Exchange of Rings
The exchange of rings symbolizes the unbreakable bond of Christian Marriage. During the Betrothal, the rings are blessed over the heads of the bride and groom three times and then are places on the fourth finger of the right hand. The Betrothal ends with a prayer that the Lord might make strong their betrothal in faith, truth and love, and make them of one mind; and that He might grant the betrothal His heavenly blessings.

The Lighted Candles
The bride and groom are given lighted candles to hold, symbolizing the purity of their lives, which should shine with the light of virtue.


The Joining of Hands
During the Service of the Crowning, three long prayers are read asking God to grant the bride and groom a long and peaceful mutual love and understanding, happiness and health. The couple's right hands are then joined by the priest, who calls upon God to join them into one.


The Crowning
The priest raises the crown and makes the sign of the cross three times over the heads of the bride and groom, after which the crowns are placed on their heads. The crowning signifies that the newly married couple receives the grace of the Holy Spirit to be the founders of a new generation and are crowned with virtue and holiness to live their lives to the glory of almighty God.


The Bible Readings
Following the crowning, St. Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians (5:20-33) concerning the mystery and holiness of Christian Marriage and the duties and the responsibilities of the husband and wife to each other, chanted by the canter; and St. John's gospel on Christ's miracle at the Marriage at Cana (2:1-12) is chanted by the priest to show that our Lord Jesus Christ blessed the sacred institution of marriage.


The Common Cup
The drinking from 'The Common Cup' symbolizes that the couple must share every joy and sorrow. The priest gives to the husband and wife a cup of wine from which each must drink 3 times.

The Circling of the Table
While three beautiful and joyous hymns are chanted, the priest takes the bride and groom by the hand and leads them around a small table three times. By circling the table, the couple signifies their oath to preserve their marriage bond forever. The circle symbolizes eternity; the triple circling honors the Holy Spirit


The Benediction
Finally, amid special words of blessing, the priest lifts the crowns from the heads of the newlyweds, thus ending the marriage ceremony


HTH
libride Posted:

Re: Greek ceremony question

Thank you!!!

If anyone would like to share their actual program with me, that would be awesome.

My email is [email protected].

gNi1125 Posted:

Re: Greek ceremony question

YW Sorry I don't have a program though.
nov.bride Posted:

Re: Greek ceremony question

We made our programs LAST minute @ Kinkos. I tried to scan them to share the text used to describe the wedding but couldn't. It just wouldn't come out right or clear.

I can email it you to your personal email account as I scanned them to Adobe.

The information that I had was given to me by a booklet that my church provided me.


LIbride _ I sent it out to you


Sorry about the ridiculous off angled scanning- its a MESS
vino440 Posted:

Re: Greek ceremony question

I'm in the same situation--I'm a Catholic bride marrying a Greek man---it's my Big Fat Greek Wedding all over again for me...how about you?

I too would love to see your suggestions for a program, because I had the same idea to explain the ceremony for the majority of guests who are not Greek.

I actually have a handful of questions about attempting to blend the families, raise the children, appease the non-Greek family and convince them it's not exactly like the movie. FM me or email me at [email protected].

Thanks so much!
catherine Posted:

Re: Greek ceremony question

If anyone wants any info just IM me! My church has all the info you need!

nov.bride Posted:

Re: Greek ceremony question

Hi vino-
I sent you a copy through email of our programs.


goingtobemrs Posted:

Re: Greek ceremony question

Hi guys can you also FM anything you have also! I have to get to work on this, I have about a month! Thanks!

goingtobemrs Posted:

Re: Greek ceremony question

What church is/did everyone get married at? Mine is Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Hicksville.

cj7305 Posted:

Re: Greek ceremony question

i'm getting married at the new church being built by CW Post in Brookville. Has anyone bought their crowns?

goingtobemrs Posted:

Re: Greek ceremony question

My mom is going to Astoria one of these weekends to get all that good stuff.
cj7305 Posted:

Re: Greek ceremony question

yea, I guess Astoria is probably the best place to go, I don't know of any stores on LI

AtticaQT Posted:

Re: Greek ceremony question

If anyone wants a program just FM me your e-mail address.

AtticaQT Posted:

Re: Greek ceremony question


Posted by cj7305

yea, I guess Astoria is probably the best place to go, I don't know of any stores on LI



There are 5 main stores in Astoria all in the Ditmars area

- Astron
- Kentrikon Noufaro
- Eleni's
- Markellas
- George's Hellenic Gifts

There is also one on Northern Blvd - i think it is called Anastasia's

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