A traditional wedding ceremony in the Eastern Orthodox Church occurs in the Russian church, the venchanie. The wedding ceremony is divided into two parts: the Betrothal and the Crowning and usually takes place in the morning. The betrothal used to be blessed at the beginning of the engagement, but is now usually done at the same ceremony as the wedding itself.
The bride and groom stand inside the entrance of the church and the priest blesses them and gives them lighted candles which they will hold throughout the ceremony. The priest says two brief prayers for the couple before the blessed rings are placed on the couple's right hand. The priest then says a prayer blessing the couple's betrothal.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church the sign of the marriage is not the exchange of rings which takes place at the betrothal but rather the placing of crowns on the heads of the bride and groom. For this reason the ceremony of the wedding is referred to as the Crowning.
The priest leads the couple into the center of the church where they come to stand on a piece of new, rose coloured fabric. This is a symbol of entering into a new life. The bride and groom profess that they are marrying at their own free will and that they have not promised themselves to anyone else. After several longer prayers the priest places crowns on the heads of the bride and the groom. Following Gospel readings and prayers the bride and groom share a cup of wine.
A procession then occurs where the priest wraps his stole around the joined hands of the couple and leads them three times around an analogion (lectern) on which the Gospel Book has been placed. This procession symbolises the pilgrimage of their wedded life together.
Following the traditional ceremony, the couple must have a civil ceremony called rospis v zagse. This ceremony takes place at the department of public services where the couple is greeted by family members with bread and salt. During the ceremony the rings are exchanged and the couple is pronounced husband and wife.
During the civil ceremony, the parents offer the married couple two crystal glasses, which they break. The more shards of glass they create, the greater the number of years of happiness they will spend together.
It is also customary for the married couple to release either balloons or, two white doves to symbolize their love and partnership. The bride may also release another balloon with her maiden name written on it, as she enters on her new life.
Following the civil ceremony, the newlyweds and their witnesses, travel around the city in a limousine and view many historical sites. Sometimes very close friends join as well. During the tour wedding photographs are taken at historical sites.
Finally the couple meets their guests for the reception. The first toast is made to the newlyweds and after the first shot, the guests shout Gorko, Gorko, Gorko, Gorko which means bitter and refers to the taste of vodka. The couple must the kiss for a long time to take away the bitter taste of the vodka. After this first toast, another is made to the parents followed by the couples first dance and dancing with guests.
A wedding is a special day, it is unique and the bride and groom can make it their own. Not all romantic Russian weddings are celebrated the traditional way. Take a look at the 56th Parallel blog for some of the unique ways Siberians choose to celebrate their special day.
The bride and groom stand inside the entrance of the church and the priest blesses them and gives them lighted candles which they will hold throughout the ceremony. The priest says two brief prayers for the couple before the blessed rings are placed on the couple's right hand. The priest then says a prayer blessing the couple's betrothal.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church the sign of the marriage is not the exchange of rings which takes place at the betrothal but rather the placing of crowns on the heads of the bride and groom. For this reason the ceremony of the wedding is referred to as the Crowning.
The priest leads the couple into the center of the church where they come to stand on a piece of new, rose coloured fabric. This is a symbol of entering into a new life. The bride and groom profess that they are marrying at their own free will and that they have not promised themselves to anyone else. After several longer prayers the priest places crowns on the heads of the bride and the groom. Following Gospel readings and prayers the bride and groom share a cup of wine.
A procession then occurs where the priest wraps his stole around the joined hands of the couple and leads them three times around an analogion (lectern) on which the Gospel Book has been placed. This procession symbolises the pilgrimage of their wedded life together.
Following the traditional ceremony, the couple must have a civil ceremony called rospis v zagse. This ceremony takes place at the department of public services where the couple is greeted by family members with bread and salt. During the ceremony the rings are exchanged and the couple is pronounced husband and wife.
During the civil ceremony, the parents offer the married couple two crystal glasses, which they break. The more shards of glass they create, the greater the number of years of happiness they will spend together.
It is also customary for the married couple to release either balloons or, two white doves to symbolize their love and partnership. The bride may also release another balloon with her maiden name written on it, as she enters on her new life.
Following the civil ceremony, the newlyweds and their witnesses, travel around the city in a limousine and view many historical sites. Sometimes very close friends join as well. During the tour wedding photographs are taken at historical sites.
Finally the couple meets their guests for the reception. The first toast is made to the newlyweds and after the first shot, the guests shout Gorko, Gorko, Gorko, Gorko which means bitter and refers to the taste of vodka. The couple must the kiss for a long time to take away the bitter taste of the vodka. After this first toast, another is made to the parents followed by the couples first dance and dancing with guests.
A wedding is a special day, it is unique and the bride and groom can make it their own. Not all romantic Russian weddings are celebrated the traditional way. Take a look at the 56th Parallel blog for some of the unique ways Siberians choose to celebrate their special day.
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