Categories: uncategorized
Date: 27 February 2005 23:06:14
Truly it was a blessed day! I was so thankful to be invited to be part of the celebrations. S & N -- God grant you many years.
There are two parts to an Orthodox wedding: the Service of Betrothal and the Crowning Service. The Service of Betrothal was held back in early December [I blogged about it here]. I'm not sure if there is always a gap between the services.
The Crowning Service was held yesterday (Sunday). And it is a beautiful service. The bridal party walked in while the choir sang The Hymn to the Theotokos, and then the beautiful bride walked down as the choir sang The Angel Cried. I'd wondered before-hand if I'd feel something was missing as there was no organ booming as the bridal party and bride walked in, but no such feeling entered my mind. The pure human voice is a wonderfully stirring thing.
The service was led by the Bishop, who knows both S & N very well, and three priests assisted. The service itself is very moving, and very comprehensive in its prayers. Among the prayers were ones asking Christ to be present in their marriage as he was present at the marriage in Cana. Then prayers invoking a whole host of Old Testament imagery were said, with reference to God's blessing of marriage and blessing of His people during the Old Testament times. Here is a sample:
Bless them, O Lord our God, as Thou didst bless Abraham and Sarah. Bless them, O Lord our God, as Thou didst bless Isaac and Rebecca. Bless them, O Lord our God, as Thou didst Jacob and all the patriarchs. Bless them O Lord our God, as Thou didst bless Joseph and Asenath. Bless them, O Lord our God, as Thou didst bless Moses and Zipporah. Bless them, O Lord our God, as Thou didst bless Joachim and Anna. Bless them, O Lord our God, as Thou didst bless Zachariah and Elizabeth. Preserve them, O Lord our God, as Thou didst preserve Jonah in the belly of the whale. Preserve them, O Lord our God, as Thou didst preserve the three holy children from the fire, sending down upon them dew from heaven;It was wonderful to meditate on God's saving acts throughout history.
It was then the time of crowning, where the Bishop joined their hands together and, blessing the crowns, recited "The servant of God S is crowned for the servant of God N" three times. He them repeated it, this time beginning with the bride. The crowns were then placed on their heads.
The Scripture readings [Ephesians 5:20-33 and John 2:1-11] were then read. I found it wonderful to hear the reading of the Wedding in Cana at a wedding.
After the Lord's Prayer, the couple drinks wine from a common cup three times each [most things in Orthodoxy are done three times; I assume it is as a reminder of the Trinity, but I may be incorrect].
Then came the Procession around the table in front of the iconostasis [icon screen]. The couple, with their sponsors and the assisting priests, one holding the Book of the Gospels, processed around the table three times. It seemed like a wonderful symbolism of them setting off on their lives together, and knowing they are not alone -- the Gospel Book serveing to remind them God is with them and they have chosen to have life in Him. And their sponsors are there for them too.
After some final prayers, the service was concluded. But it was not the end. Weddings used to be conducted as part of the Sunday Divine Liturgy [our Sunday Eucharist service], but nowadays are not. Some of the sacramental wine was kept from the Divine Liturgy, and S & N partook at their request -- they knew they needed extra strength and extra help on their journey together.
The Bishop also said a few things about them both, as he knows them both well. He praised them for their love of each other, and their love for Christ. And everyone who knows them knows that is 100% true. Greater lovers of Christ I am not sure I know. S has been a great example to me in my short time at the parish, and has always been a great encouragement to live a life in Christ.
And then there was the reception. I'll reveal all tomorrow!