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Q & A: Weddings in Byzantine Churches
Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to"Here Comes the Bride"?

In the Byzantine Tradition, there is no "Bride walking down the aisle on the arms of her father" ritual. Instead the Priest, who has already joined them at the Betrothal (in the Narthex of the Temple), lead the Bride and Groom in procession from the Narthex (symbolic of the World fallen under sin since Adam) into the Sanctuary of the Temple (symbolic of the World redeemed by the Christ) - the Procession demonstrating that the marriage transcends mere a human contractual relationship (as fundamental as that may be) to become an instance of theosis and opportunity to participate in the life of the Holy Trinity.

The "Giving away of the Bride" ritual practiced in some non-Orthodox churches comes from the ancient Germanic marital ritual of conveyancing. This ritual is based on the concept that women were the property of men. As a "maiden", she "belonged" to her father. At marriage, her husband contracted with her father to have the bride "given" to him - presumably in return for some sort of dowry or bride price.

What happened to the Vows?

Vows are not part of the original Byzantine Marital Order. In some Churches, marriage vows have been lately included into the liturgical books - but only on an optional basis. But this optional insertion and innovation is the result of a relatively recent interpolation of post-mediaeval Latin Scholastic theology into the authentic Sacred Byzantine Tradition.

Marriage Vows come from the idea that marriage is a contract, made by the Bride and the Groom. In the Byzantine theology of marriage or "CROWNING" as well call it, the wedding and marriage is a much more profound matter than mere human contract - no matter how solemn - but transcend and transfigure human relation into a Mystical Sacrament, a fundamental divinizing dynamic in human life, a participation in the Divine Life of the Triadic One true God.

Naturally, the consent of the couple is necessary to marriage, just as the consent of any creature with Free Will is necessary to enter into relationship with God. This consent is given at the beginning of the Service before the actual Crowning Service proper.

When the Couple is lead by the Priest from the Narthex into the Sanctuary, this symbolises that the human and natural institute of marriage is being transfigured into a Holy Sacrament, a mystical participation in the divinizing life of the Trinity.

Can I have Sid Vicious sing a Solo at the Wedding?

The traditional psalms and chants prescribed in the Order of Crowning are beautiful, edifying, and ancient. More importantly, they are established therein to both praise God as well as catechise the Bride and Groom (i.e. teach them how their marriage now participates in the Divine Life of the Triune God) and evangelise the congregation (proclaim the Gospel of Salvation to all persons).

In the Order of Crowning, the Bride and Groom are entering into a profoundly salvific and mystical relationship of love with God through one's relationship of love and mutual commitment to each other. Thus the Service of Crowning is not only a celebration of 2 individuals, rather this celebration of the love of 2 Christians divinized by God's love, is now also a prayer, a liturgy, public worship of the entire Christian Communion, and a Sacrament of the Holy Church.

Signficantly meaningful songs of the couple and their favourite string quartets indeed add a very special dimension to one's wedding celebration, but these are more appropriately performed during the reception or banquet etc.

Ukrainian version
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