Orthodox weddings in Santorini, Greece

The wedding service in the Greek Orthodox religion 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.


SEVICE 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 the groom. The rings are then places 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. Number three symbolizes the Holy Trinity.

CEREMONY OF THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE :

This Ceremony consists of several key parts: firsts several prayers are said and then the priest joins the hands of the bride and groom. This symbolizes the couple’s union.

THE CROWNING:

The bride and groom ate crowned with flowered crowns, or “stefana”, which are joined by a white ribbon and have been blessed by the priest. The crowns symbolize the glory and honor that is being bestowed on them by God, and the ribbon symbolizes their unity. The “Koumbaro” then exchanged the crowns between the head of the couple, again 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. Bride and groom drink from the couple three times. It is their coup of life symbolic of the fact that from this day on they will share all life’s experiences together.

THE CEREMONIAL WALK:

The priest then 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 in place.

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 joined hands with the Bible, reminding them that only God can break the union which they have just entered into.