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Can someone explain the customs during a Greek Orthadox wedding? |
I work for a wedding photographer and this Sunday I worked my first Greek Orthadox wedding, it was fantastic. But I'm curioud about some of the things that went on...particularly when the bride and groom danced and everyone threw dollar bills on the floor, then every now and then someone would cut in on the bride and dance...as many details as you could provide would be appreciated...thanks! # In Greece a couple becomes engaged by exchanging rings in the presence of family and friends. # At a Greek wedding ceremony a guest of honor, known as the koumbaros, crowns the wedding couple and joins them in a symbolic gesture by circling the alter three times. # Traditionally, the Greek bride wears the wedding ring on her left hand until the ceremony, when it is moved to her right hand. # At some village wedding in some parts of Greece, the matrimonial bed is treated to a "baby rolling" ceremony in which babies are gently rolled on the mattress to bring fertility and happiness to the new marriage. # In some areas of Greece guests to the wedding wear a traditional charm in the form of a small eye that protects the wedding celebrants from bad luck. # In most areas of Greece guests pinning money on the bride and groom during the first dance. # A popular tradition is the baby-rolling on the matrimonial bed. Babies of friends and family are placed on the bed and gently rolled from side to side. The bed is also strewn with rose petals, coins and sugar-coated almonds (koufetta) to bring fertility and prosperity to the couple. # It is considered bad luck if the groom sees his bride in her wedding dress before the ceremony. # During a Greek Orthodox Wedding, there's a tradition for male relatives of the bride to slap the groom on the back, sometimes with force, as a way of welcoming the groom into the family. # Each Greek reception has bonbonierres, almond candies covered in white chocolate. They are wrapped up in a netting and given to all the guests as they leave. Tradition dictates that there must be an odd number of candies in each package. ========== 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锟?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锟?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锟?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锟?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. Source(s): http://www.ultimatewedding.com/articles/... http://www.planetgr.com/wedding_day/tc.h... http://chnm.gmu.edu/greekam/marriage.htm... http://www.greeka.com/greece-traditions.... That is a very good answer and my family is very religious so that is a perfect description No spitting? :P One more custom in the greek weddings is when the priest says "The woman should fear the man" "H de gyni na fovitai ton antra" the bride steps the foot of the groom. All of these described previously are a little bit exageratted, in Greece the weddings are simpler and not so traditional anymore. my personal experience |
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