THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE

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​Through this Sacrament, a man and a woman are publicly joined as husband and wife. They enter into a new relationship with each other, God, and the Church. In the Orthodox Marriage Service, after the couple have been betrothed and exchanged rings, they are crowned with "crowns of glory and honor" signifying the establishment of a new family under God. Near the conclusion of the Service, the husband and wife drink from a common cup which is reminiscent of the wedding of Cana and which symbolized the sharing of the burdens and joys of their new life together.

 

COORDINATING YOUR WEDDING

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Our administrative staff will assist you with the necessary forms. They will work with you in all matters pertaining to your wedding, including setting the date, scheduling meetings with our Parish Priest, preparing the necessary church documents and collecting all fees. Please feel free to ask him any questions you may have regarding your marriage here at the Church.

 

SETTING THE DATE

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According to the official policies of our Archdiocese, weddings may not be celebrated during the fasting seasons or the major feast days of our Church:

December 13-25 (The Advent and Christmas season)

January 5-6 (Epiphany)

February 2 (the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple)

Great Lent and Holy Week (usually mid-February, the entire month of March and part of April)

August 1-15 (the fast of the Theotokos)

August 29 (the beheading of John the Baptist)

September 14 (the Exaltation of the Cross)

The Ascension

Pentecost

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A couple desiring to be married should first contact the church office to schedule an appointment with the Priest. It is preferable to schedule both your wedding date and meetings with the Priest at least six months prior to the desired date so there is enough time to compete the necessary paper work and avoid scheduling conflicts.

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REQUIREMENTS TO BE MARRIED ON THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

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1.. At least one of the couple to be married is an Orthodox Christian, baptized and/or chrismated in the Church, committed to Christ and His Church and an active steward for at least a year prior to the date of the wedding.

2. The intended spouse, if not Orthodox, must be a Christian baptized by a holy trinity church in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as commanded by the Lord ( Matthew 28:19). The sacramental nature of the marriage bond in which a couple not only pledge their love for each other but also their love for Christ) a

A wedding between an Orthodox Christian and a non-Christian may NOT be celebrated in the Greek Orthodox Church.

3. The couple pledge to baptize their children in the Orthodox Church and raise and nurture them in accordance with the Orthodox Faith.

 

A baptized Orthodox Christian, whose wedding has not been blessed by the Orthodox Church, is no longer in good standing with the Church, and may not receive the Sacraments of the Church, including Holy Communion, or become a Sponsor of an Orthodox Marriage, Baptism or Chrismation.

 

If you are unsure about your non-Orthodox fiancé’s Christian denomination, please consult with the Priest.

 

NECESSARY PAPERS AND DOCUMENTS

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The following documentation is needed to insure that your wedding will meet the criteria established by the Church and local civil authorities:

1. Verification of the baptism and stewardship/membership commitment of the Orthodox spouse (s)

2. Verification of the baptism of the non-Orthodox spouse in a Christian community that baptizes in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (for example, the Roman Catholic and mainline Protestant churches such as the Lutheran and Episcopalian communities, etc)

3. An ecclesiastical marriage license (An application must be completed by the the couple and the Priest and sent to the Archdiocese in advance).

4. A civil marriage license. (This is obtained from City Hall and must be applied for in advance)  Apply for Marriage Licence Appointment - City of Brantford

 

Please Note: TWO marriage licenses are necessary, one for the Church and one for the state. Also, please note that because a civil license carries a time limit of 90 days in Ontario, your civil license should be secured less than three months prior to the desired date of the wedding.

 

IN CASE OF PRIOR MARRIAGES

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If either of the parties has been previously married, the death certificate of the deceased spouse or the civil divorce decree issued by the state must be presented to the parish priest. If the prior marriage was celebrated in the Orthodox Church and ended in divorce, then an ecclesiastical divorce decree must also be obtained/presented.

 

THE WEDDING PARTY

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The “koumbaro” or “koumbara” – the sponsor who will participate sacramentally in the service by exchanging the rings and/or the crowns (an integral part of the marriage rite) – must be an Orthodox Christian “In Good Standing” and a steward/member of his/her parish. “In Good Standing” means that they may not been married outside of the church or participated in any foreign sacraments, as this would excommunicate them from the Orthodox Church.

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Bridal party members must also be Christians from a holy trinity church.  While wedding guests can be of any religious background, anyone participating in the ceremony must be a Christian from a holy trinity church.

 

THE BRIDAL DRESS AND ATTENDANTS’ GOWNS

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 The bridal gown and attendant’s dresses should exercise a decorum befitting a Church ceremony.  

Low cut dresses should be avoided, or at the very least covered by a shawl during the ceremony.

 

ITEMS NEEDED FOR THE WEDDING

 

For Orthodox Christian betrothal and crowning services, several items are used liturgically:

1. Two decorated candles joined by a ribbon (lambathes)

2. Rings for both the bride and groom, for the betrothal

3. Stephana ( Crowns)

• The crowns must be connected by a long, white ribbon.

4. Wine - Mavrothaphne

5. Common Cup - Wine Glass

 

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOTAPING

 

Photographs and videos of your wedding are permitted but should not in any way interfere, impede or distract from the ceremony.

Photographers and videographers are not permitted to enter the sacramental space or go behind the alter.

Photographers should be quiet and respectful.

The use of a flash is allowed.

The use of flying video drones inside the Church is prohibited.

If you are planning on professional photography and videography, the vendors must be aware of 

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PREPARATION FOR MARRIAGE

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In your meetings with the priest, he will discuss the sacramental nature of the marriage bond, the Christian understanding of marriage as it is expressed in the Scriptures and the marriage service itself. In cases where one of the spouses is not Orthodox, the couple should plan to meet with the priest, to have any questions answered.

 

A NOTE TO THE BRIDE AND GROOM

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To those spouses who are Orthodox: there is no substitute for Jesus Christ in maintaining the dignity and sanctity of the marriage bond. For the celebration of your marriage in the Church to be real, you must live out, in subsequent years, the Christian commitment that you will make on the day of your wedding. To those spouses who are not Orthodox: you are always welcome here at our Church. Please note that your marriage in the Church does not automatically grant you membership in the Orthodox Church. If you desire to become an Orthodox Christian this must be your decision, made after much prayer and thought, in consultation with the parish priest, and never for the sake of convenience. To both of you: the Lord and this parish are hereto help, support and sustain you in your marriage bond and the life of faith to which we are called as Christians. May the Lord grant you both many years together in peace and oneness of mind and heart.

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