Crowning is a religious rite for a couple wishing to bind their lives together in matrimony. This event is not obligatory; rather, it should be a conscious choice made by two loving people. If desired, crowning may occur not only among newlyweds but also between couples already living in legal or civil union. The ceremony follows certain rules. Before crowning, it is important to learn more information about this procedure and prepare properly for it.
Meaning of Crowning
This religious ritual called crowning has existed since Ancient Rome and Greece. During the ceremony, the clergyman calls upon God to bless the new family, granting them happiness provided that the couple maintains fidelity to each other. Both spouses must be believers and baptized Christians. They should realize that divorce and breaking vows constitute sin. It cannot be undertaken simply for fashionable reasons or attractive photos. After the ceremony, husband and wife become one entity.
Who Can Be Crowned?
Having a marriage certificate is one of the primary requirements for conducting the rite. Additionally, both partners must be Orthodox Christians. On the other hand, the Church may allow crowning if one spouse isn’t Orthodox. Most importantly, children born afterwards must be baptized.
Lovers must comply with permissible marital age limits, lower boundary being adulthood, upper limit for men aged 70 years old, women 60 years old. If the couple expects a child, it can't serve as reason to refuse the rite. Clergy members actually encourage people's wish to raise a child within a blessed marriage.
Who Is Prohibited From Taking Part In The Sacrament?
Unfortunately, not every union registered at ZAGS can be sanctified in this sacrament. There are obstacles to performing the rite, though they are not numerous. Here are the main ones:
- Marriage cannot be performed if either partner doesn't plan to embrace Christian faith.
- The ritual won't proceed if someone is already married to another person.
- Blood-related relatives can't marry each other.
- Church will refuse the ceremony if godchildren intend to marry their godparents.
- Those identifying as atheists aren't allowed to participate in the sacrament.
Those who took vows or were ordained cannot enter into matrimony.
How to Prepare?
Like any ritual, Orthodox Church wedding ceremonies follow a certain script. Therefore, newlyweds must prepare themselves by memorizing the sequence of actions and rules of behavior. Preparation includes fasting, communion, and confession. There are no strict guidelines regarding the duration of fasting. However, meat, dairy products, alcohol, fish, and eggs should be excluded from the diet. Consumption of cereals, fruits, and vegetables is allowed. If someone has dietary restrictions for medical reasons, they should consult with the priest.
A week before the event, begin reading prayers together because it strengthens spiritually. On the eve of the rite, confess to the priest, telling him about sins and mistakes. Additionally, discussions with clergy members can cover other aspects of the sacrament: appearance, date of the ceremony, permission for photography inside the temple.
How to choose a day for wedding ceremony?
When choosing the date of the ceremony, newlyweds should rely on the church calendar. The sacrament of marriage is not performed on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday. Also, rituals are forbidden during Orthodox holidays such as Easter, Great Lent, and Maslenitsa week. It is important to understand that the wedding can only be held during daylight hours.
Women are prohibited from being in the temple during their critical days. When selecting a date, the bride must compare it with her own calendar. If you want to take into account folk omens, then it's best to avoid celebrations in May. The most favorable period for newlyweds will be summer, especially August.
Choosing a Church
The groom and bride prefer to have their wedding ceremony at the church they attend. If the couple does not go to church, then they should choose a place where one of the spouses was baptized. On the other hand, there are no strict rules for choosing a church. If desired, any other church near the registry office or home can be chosen.
Logistics on the wedding day is an important moment, so most newlyweds choose a church en route to the restaurant where the banquet will take place.
Choosing Witnesses
Witnesses for newlyweds can only be baptized people who wear a cross around their neck. After the ceremony, they will be considered spiritual relatives of the groom and bride. Clergy do not prohibit taking a married couple as witnesses. Ideally, this couple has been living in a blessed union for more than one year. This factor indicates the strength of their bond. In any case, these people will bear responsibility for the new family spiritually.
Choosing Attire
A woman's attire must comply with certain rules. A bride is forbidden to wear a dress for the wedding ceremony that exposes arms, back, décolletage area, and legs. It cannot be too tight-fitting and have bright decorations. It's better to opt for a closed-cut dress made of satin or chiffon, decorated with delicate embroidery and beads.
Men's attire for the wedding ceremony in the church should reflect masculinity and seriousness. Casual clothes should not be worn. The image can be presented in two versions: formal suit or pants with shirt without jacket.
Photographer Selection
The rite of marriage is a joyful occasion for newlyweds. That's why they want to capture all the moments of the mystery. Before choosing a photographer, it’s necessary to decide exactly how the photo session will proceed. Then you can start studying different experts’ portfolios.
It is important that the photographer has experience in similar shootings. Thus, newlyweds will find common ground with him easier. To get "living" shots, it's essential to behave calmly and naturally. Only in this way will the photographer convey genuine emotions on the faces of the engaged couple and present guests.
The Royal Wedding Agency works with the best wedding photographers in Saint Petersburg. Our portfolio can be viewed here.
Items for the Sacrament
The process of Orthodox wedding requires the use of specific attributes. The wedding set includes:
- icons of the Mother of God and the Savior;
- engagement rings;
- ceremonial candles;
- rushnik (ritual towel) for tying the hands of newlyweds;
- handkerchiefs for candles;
- wine.
Wreath candles are one of the essential items used during the rite. They should look festive and elegant. The rushnik where the couple stands will remain in the temple after the ceremony. Following prayer, the bride and groom taste wine and demonstrate their readiness to stay together through thick and thin.
Confession and Communion Before Marriage
Confession and communion are crucial stages of preparation for the first wedding. Through communion, a person's soul is purified of sins, regains its purity and strengthens itself against future temptations. Confession is repentance when a person speaks of his sins and acknowledges them. Bride and groom should confess the night before communion. During communion, no food may be consumed starting from midnight. Without confession and communion, it is impossible to perform the wedding ceremony.
Rules of Wedding Ceremony
The rules of wedding ceremonies imply a series of recommendations without following which the ceremony cannot proceed. At the initial stage, the priest betroths the couple, then the crowning takes place with placing wreaths on heads, followed by blessing.
Behavior in Church
Preparation for the ritual involves studying the rules of behavior in the church. Recommendations apply both to the newlyweds and invited guests.
- Do not arrive late for the ceremony.
- Upon entering the room, women should cover their heads while men remove their hats.
- It's important to switch off mobile phones so nothing distracts people from the ritual.
- Guests should wear clothes in calm tones. Women should limit themselves to modest makeup.
How Engagement Happens
When the newlyweds arrive at the church with guests, everyone divides into male and female halves. After the liturgy ends, the groom and bride await the priest. For blessing, he takes the wedding candles, gives them to the couple, and leads them inside the temple.
Then a prayer is read over the newlyweds. Next, the priest makes a sign above the man's head and puts a ring on him. The same actions are performed over the woman's head. The engagement concludes, and prayers and requests to God begin.
How the Wedding Ceremony Takes Place
After the engagement, the priest prepares for the next step—the wedding ceremony. Lovers approach the lectern, where they spread out a rushnik. The groom and bride stand on it, after which the clergyman asks them questions and checks whether their intention to marry is sincere. The procession proceeds under loud singing. Then prayers and requests to the Lord commence. Typically, people ask God to make the new family happy and carefree.
After a short interval, the priest places wreaths on the young couple's heads. These represent martyrdom because in Orthodoxy, marriage is seen as suffering for love.
Next, a cup with wine is brought into the hall. First, the groom drinks from it, then the bride follows suit. The newlyweds join hands, and the priest, holding a cross, walks three times around the spot where the couple stands. After removing the wreaths, the newlyweds bow their heads, pray, and kiss. Finally, lovers kiss icons, the clergyman reads dismissal, and the ceremony ends.
How long does it last
The wedding ceremony is a lengthy event accompanied by prayers, processions, and singing of songs. Typically, the ritual lasts about an hour.
When is marriage impossible
According to the rules, weddings are not held during fasts, in sedmitsa, at Easter, Christmas, and until Epiphany. The Russian Orthodox Church also prohibits celebrations on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but if Lent is approaching soon, then Wednesdays and Fridays are also banned. There may be exceptions in rare cases, but only with the permission of the archbishop.
How many times can you marry
The Church has no concept of “divorce,” as Orthodoxy places family values first. However, priests cannot turn away from those who have had to part ways with their spouse. Therefore, the Church allows a second ecclesiastical marriage rather than an annulment. A person has the right to marry three times in total.
It’s possible that for the third time, a priest might refuse. Flitting from one husband (wife) to another (other) is unacceptable for a true believer. Before entering into a new marriage, one must have a conversation with the priest and explain the reasons for divorce from the previous partner.
Conclusion
Specialists from the Royal Wedding wedding agency will help you organize your wedding ceremony in St. Petersburg. We will provide detailed information on how to behave in the temple, choose an appropriate outfit together, agree on the date and time of the event. Entrust organizational hassles to professionals. Enjoy preparing for the celebration of your dreams.