How to Have a Greek Wedding

I know that a few years ago there was this film entitled "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". Believe it or not there were many scenes within that film that were correct. The wedding service in the Greek Orthodox faith is seeped in ceremony and tradition and has not changed much in many years.

When a couple decides to marry within the Greek Orthodox faith and if they decide to have a traditional Greek wedding, they go through several phases before they get married. First there will be the Service of Betrothal. During the Service of Betrothal many modern couples will have a separate party just for this occasion. Family and friends are invited. The couple along with the Koumbaros, the couple's sponsor (best man and maid of honor)stand along with the priest. The priest will bless the rings by holding them in his right hand and making the sign of the cross over the heads of the future bride and groom. The rings are then placed on the third fingers of their right hands, traditional old fashioned Greeks get married on their right hand. The Koumbaro will then trade the rings over between the bride and groom's fingers, three times, as a symbol of the Holy Trinity. Your Koumbaro also takes on the responsibility to be the godparent of your first child.

The actual wedding is a sight to behold. Just like any other wedding the guests will arrive at the church to be seated by the ushers and groomsmen. However when the service begins, the bride and groom do not exchange any vows. In a Greek wedding, you are there because of love and no vows are necessary. Even if the couple has had a Service of Betrothal party , the ceremony is repeated as part of the wedding. The priest will announce that the bride (her name) is betrothed to the groom (his name) in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This will be accomplished three times.

After this part of the ceremony is completed, the Sacrament of the Wedding is performed. Here the Bride and Groom are joined by crowns, with a silken ribbon attaching them. The priest takes the two crowns and blesses the crowns. The crowns are called stefana, and symbolizes their honor that is being bestowed on them by God, the ribbon shows that they are a couple yet individuals. The Koumbaro will exchange the crowns between the heads of the bride and groom three times. The priest then will read from the Gospel of the marriage in Cana at Galilee. After the reading from the Gospel, the couple is given a cup of wine in which each takes three sips. The priest then takes the bride and groom by hand and walks them around the altar as their first steps together as a married couple. The priest removes the crowns and separates the joined hands of the couple and announces to the congregation that only God can break the union. It is a beautiful ceremony and remember that once a man or woman decides to marry in the Greek Orthodox Faith, the moment they step forward to the altar and the crowns are placed on their heads, they are married.

Then the party begins, and may go on for hours.