A Study Text for the

HOLY MYSTERY OF CROWNING


The Order of the Betrothal

BME:
The priest stands before the tetrapod near the sanctuary and on the tetrapod are placed the Holy Gospel, the Cross, two candlesticks, two crowns and a glass of wine.

According to the present custom, the bridal party is received by the priest at the entrance of the church. They they make a process into the church while the priest is incensing, and the choir sings the hirmos of Pentecost in the fourth tone:

Hail, O Queen, glory of virgins and mothers: for your praise is beyond the eloquence of the most cultured tongues, and the wonderful manner in which you gave birth to Christ throws every intelligence into amazement. Wherefore, we the faithful magnify you with one accord.

The priest stands before the Holy Doors, and the bridal couple approaches with the two witnesses, the
Bridegroom:  on the right and the bride on the left, and on each side of them the best man and the maid of honor, all holding lighted candles. The priest then places the two rings on the right side of the table and begins the service thus:

Greek:
On the solea in front of the Holy Gate a table is placed with two candlesticks, the rings, the crowns, a cup of wine and the Holy Gospel Book on it. As the bride and groom arrive in front of the table and face the altar, the groom to the right and the bride to his left, the priest vested in rason, epitrakilion and phelonion, hands them lighted candles and asks the groom: "N., do you take N. to be your wedded wife, to love and to cherish 'till death do you part?" And then the Bride:  "N., do you take N. to be your wedded husband, to love and to cherish 'till death do you part?" If the answer of both is "yes", he begins the service:

ACA:
The rite of matrimony is properly performed in the church, at the customary place, and in the presence of at least two witnesses. When the persons to be married have come to stand before the analogion, the man on the right and the woman on the left, the priest may inquire of them as follows:

Priest: Do you, N., a good, free and unconstrained will and a firm intention to take as your wife this woman N. whom you see before you?

Bridegroom: : I have.

Priest: Do you, N., a good, free and unconstrained will and a firm intention to take as your husband this man N. whom you see before you?

Bride:  I have.

The priest takes up one of the candlesticks which have been placed on the analogion, lights it and gives it to the Bridegroom , making before him the sign of the Cross as he does so; and having done the same for the bride, he begins:

Deacon: Give the blessing, Father.

Priest: Blessed is our God at all times, now and always and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For peace from on high and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For peace in the whole world, the well being of the holy Churches of God and the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For our (Arch)Bishop N., the priests, the deacons who serve in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Greek:
Deacon: For the servant of God N. and the handmaid of God N. who are now being betrothed, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That there may descend upon them perfect and peaceful love, and the help of God, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That they may be preserved and blessed in harmony and sound faith, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That they may be kept in blameless and conduct, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That the Lord our God will grant them an honorable marriage and a marital bed undefiled, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

ACA:
Deacon: For the servant of God N. and for the handmaid of God N. who now plight each other their troth, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That he will send down upon them perfect and peaceful love, and his help, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That he will preserve them in oneness of mind and in steadfastness of faith, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That he will bless them with a blameless life, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That the Lord our God will grant unto them an honorable marriage, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and need, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Remembering our all holy, spotless, most highly blessed and glorious Lady the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ God.

All: To You, O Lord.

Deacon: For to you belongs all glory, honor and worship, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: O eternal God, who have brought into unity those who were separated by imposing on them an unbreakable bond of love; who have blessed Isaac and Rebecca, declaring them heirs of your promise: now bless [+] also these your servants N. and N., guiding them in every good deed. For you are a merciful and loving God and we render glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

Priest: Peace to all.

All: And to your spirit.

Deacon: Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

All: To you, O Lord.

Greek:
Priest: O Lord our God who have espoused the Church as a pure virgin from among the nations, bless these rings and unite and preserve these your servants, in peace and concord. For to you belongs all glory

ACA:
DG:
Priest: O Lord our God, who have espoused the Church as a pure virgin from among the [ACA: Gentile] nations: bless this betrothal, unite and protect these your servants in peace and oneness of mind. For all glory, honor and worship are your due, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

Greek:
The priest takes the rings, blesses them over the Holy Gospel Book, touches with them the forehead of the groom first and then the forehead of the bride, and makes the sign of the Cross with the ring on both of them, saying:

ACA:
The priest takes the ring of the bride, and blesses the groom, making with it the sign of the cross over him three times, toughing the head of the bride with it each time, and saying:

Priest: The servant of God N. is betrothed to the handmaid of God N., in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Greek:
He does the same touching the forehead of the bride first and then that of the groom, saying:

ACA:
The priest places the ring on the fourth finger of the right hand of the groom. The the priest takes the ring of the groom, and blesses the bride, making with it the sign of the Cross over her three times, toughing the head of the groom with it each time, and saying:

Priest: The handmaid of God N. is betrothed to the handmaid of God N., in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Greek:
He places the rings on the third finger of their right hands, and the best man exchanges them:

ACA:
The priest places the ring on the fourth finger of the right hand of the bride. The bridal pair then exchange the rings; meanwhile the priest says the following prayer:

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Greek:
Priest: O Lord our God, who accompanied the servant of the Patriarch Abraham into Mesopotamia when he was sent to find a wife for Isaac, and who, by means of the drawing of water, revealed to him that he should betroth Rebecca: bless the betrothal of these your servants N. and N. and confirm the word they have spokeN: Establish them in the holy union which is from you. For in the beginning you created male and female and you is the woman joined to the man for assistance and for the continuation of the human race. Now, O Lord our God, who sent your truth upon your people and your promise upon our fathers, your servants elected from generation to generation: look upon these your servants N. and N. and make their betrothal firm in faith, in oneness of mind, in truth and in love.

For you, O Lord, declared that a pledge should be given and confirmed in all things. By a ring, power was given to Joseph in Egypt; by a ring, Daniel was glorified in the land of Babylon; by a ring, the truth of Thamar was made manifest; by a ring, our heavenly father showed compassion upon his prodigal son, for he says: "Put a ring on his hand and bring a fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and rejoice."

Your own right hand, O Lord, armed Moses in the Red Sea; by your true word the heavens were established and the earth was firmly founded; and the right hands of your servants will be blessed by your mighty word and upraised arm. Now, O Master, bless this putting on of rings with your heavenly blessing and may the angel of the Lord go before them all the days of their life, for you are he who blesses and sanctifies all things and we give glory to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

ACA:
O Lord our God, bless the betrothal of these your servants, N. and N., and confirm the word which they have spoken. Establish them in the holy union which from you. For you, in the beginning made them male and female, and by you is the woman joined to the man as helpmate. Wherefore, O Lord our God, who has sent forth your truth upon your inheritance, and your covenant unto your servants our fathers, even your elect, from generation to generation: Look upon your servant N. and upon your handmaid N., and establish their betrothal in faith and oneness of mind, in truth and in love. And, O Lord our God, do you now bless this putting-on of rings with your heavenly benediction, and let your angel go before them all the days of their lives. For you are the one who blesses and sanctifies all things and to you we render glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

All: Amen.


The Order of Crowning

Greek:
The priest starts by chanting several verses from Psalm 127, to each of which the people respond: Glory to you, our God, glory to you.

Reader: Blessed are all those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

All: Glory to You, our God, glory to you.

Reader: You shall eat from the labor of your work, blessed are you and favored shall you be.

All: Glory to You, our God, glory to you.

Reader: Your wife like a fruitful vine in the walls of your house: your children like newly planted olive trees around your table.

All: Glory to You, our God, glory to you.

Reader: Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion, and may you see the blessings of Jerusalem all the days of your life. [May you see your children's children and peace over Israel.]

All: Glory to You, our God, glory to you.

Reader: May you see your children's children and peace over Israel.

All: Glory to you, our God, glory to you.

ACA:
The priest asks the Bridegroom:

Priest: N., will you willingly and freely take N. here present, for your wife according to the laws of the holy Church?

Bridegroom: : I do.

The priest asks the Bride:

Priest: N., will you willingly and freely take N. here present, for your husband according to the laws of the holy Church?

Bride:  I do.

BME:
The priest here begins the exchange of consent:

Priest: (Name of Groom) do you freely and willingly come to take the handmaid (name of bride) here present, for your lawful wife, according to the rite of the Holy Catholic Church?

Bridegroom: : I do.

Priest: (Name of bride) do you freely and willingly come to take the servant (Name of Bridegroom: ) here present, for your lawful husband, according to the rite of the Holy Catholic Church?

Bride:  I do.


ACA:
The priest makes the sign of the Cross above the analogion with the censer and says:

BME:
The priest makes the sign of the Cross with the Gospel Book as in the beginning of the Divine Liturgy:

Deacon: Give the blessing, Father

Priest: Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

If it is paschal time, we sing the troparion "Christ is risen from the dead..." three times.

Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For peace from on high and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For peace in the whole world, the well-being of the holy Churches of God and the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For our (Arch)Bishop N., the reverend priests, the deacons who serve in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For the servants of God N. and N. who are now being joined to one another in the communion of marriage and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That this marriage may be blessed like the one at Cana in Galilee, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That they may be granted for their own good both purity and fruit of the womb, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That they may rejoice at the sight of their sons and daughters, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That they may be overwhelmed with joy at the sight of their many children, and that their life may be without stain, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That they, and all those present here, may be granted whatever they ask which is good for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That both they and we may be delivered from all affliction, anger, danger and need, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Remembering our all holy, spotless, most highly blessed and glorious Lady the Theotokos, and ever-virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ God.

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: For all glory, honor and worship are your due, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Greek:
Priest: Most pure God and Creator of every creature, through your love of mankind, you transformed the rib of our forefather Adam into a woman and blessed them, saying: "Increase and multiply, and have dominion over the earth." By joining them together, you made them one; for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and cling to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh. Thus, what God has joined together, let no man separate.

You blessed your servant Abraham and by opening the womb of Sara, made him the father of many nations. You bestowed Isaac to Rebecca and blessed her in childbearing. You united Jacob with Rachel and from him manifested the twelve patriarchs. You joined together Joseph and Asenath and bestowed Ephraim and Manasses upon them as the fruit of their procreation: You accepted Zachary and Elizabeth and declared their son the Forerunner. From the root of Jesse according to the flesh, you produced the ever-Virgin and from her, you took flesh and were born for the salvation of the human race.

Because of your unspeakable grace and bountiful goodness, you came to Cana in Galilee and blessed the marriage there to show that it was your will that there should be lawful marriage and procreation: Most holy Master, accept the prayer of us your servants and as you were present there, come here also with your invisible protection: bless [+] this marriage and grant these your servants N. and N., a peaceful life, length of days, chastity, and mutual love in a bond of peace. Grant them children blessed with long life and let them take pride in them; give them an unfading crown of glory. Make them worthy to see their children's children, preserve their marriage bed from every evil; give them dew from heaven and the abundance of the earth. Fill their houses with wheat, wine, oil and every good thing that they may share them with the needy. Grant also to those assembled with us whatever they may ask for salvation: For you are a merciful and compassionate God and you love mankind and we give glory to you, with your eternal Father and all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Blessed are you, Lord our God, the priest of mystical and pure marriage and the Lawgiver of marriage of the body; the Guardian of incorruption and the Good Steward of the means of life. It is you, O Master, who in the beginning fashioned man and appointed him as king over creation and said: "It is not good for man to be alone on earth; let us make him a helper fit for him." Then, taking one of his ribs, you formed woman. When Adam saw her, he said: "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman because she was taken from her man:" For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and join himself to his wife and the two shall become one flesh; and those whom God has joined together, let no man separate.

Now, Master, Lord our God, send your heavenly grace upon these your servants, N. and N. and grant that this your handmaid N. may be subject to her husband in all things and this your servant, N. be the head of his wife, that they may live according to your will.

+ Bless them, O Lord our God, as you blessed Abraham and Sara.

+ Bless them, O Lord our God, as you blessed Isaac and Rebecca.

+ Bless them, O Lord our God, as you blessed Jacob and all the patriarchs.

+ Bless them, O Lord our God, as you blessed Joseph and Asenath.

+ Bless them, O Lord our God, as you blessed Moses and Sephorra.

+ Bless them, O Lord our God, as you blessed Joachim and Ann.

+ Bless them, O Lord our God, as you blessed Zachary and Elizabeth.

Preserve them, O Lord our God, as you preserved Noah in the Ark.

Preserve them, O Lord our God, as you preserved Jonah in the belly of the whale.

Preserve them, O Lord our God, as you preserved the three holy youths from the fire, sending upon them dew from heaveN: And let the same joy come upon them which blessed Helen had when she found the precious Cross.

Remember them, O Lord our God, as you remembered Enoch, Shem and Elias.

Remember them, O Lord our God, as you remembered the Forty Holy Martyrs, sending upon them crowns from heaven.

Remember, O Lord our God, their parents who nourished them, for the prayers of parents make firm the foundation of homes.

Remember, O Lord our God, your servants, the members of the bridal party, who have gathered for this joy.

Remember, O Lord our God, your servants, N. and N., and bless them.

Give them fruit of the womb, fair children, concord of soul and body. Exalt them like the Cedars of Lebanon and like a well-cultured vine. Give them fruitfulness like full ears of grain, that having sufficiency in all things, they may abound in every good work which is pleasing to you. May they see their children's children like newly planted olive trees around their table. And as they are pleasing before you, may they shine like stars in heaven, in you our Lord, to whom belongs all glory, power, honor and worship, and to your eternal Father, and your life-giving Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Holy God, you fashioned man from dust and formed a woman from his rib, joining her to him as a helpmate like himself, for it pleased your majesty that man should not be alone on earth. Now, O Master, extend your hand from your holy dwelling place and join your servant N. to your handmaid N. (Greek & BME: here they join their hands, the groom's left to the bride's right), for by you, a wife is united to her husband. Join them together in oneness of mind; crown them in love; unite them in one flesh; grant them the fruit of their womb and procreation of good children and a blameless life. For your is the dominion and yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

BME:
The priest begins the crowing ceremony with the groom, then the bride, and then the groom. Each time, the priest exchanges the crowns in the form of a cross.

Greek:
The priest having joined the bride and groom by asking them to hold each other's right hand, now takes the crowns, blesses them on the Holy Gospel Book, and first crowns the groom for the bride by making the sign of the Cross with the crowns and saying three times:

ACA:
The priest takes up one of the wedding crowns and makes with it the sign of the Cross three times over the head of the Bridegroom , and touches the head of the bride each time, saying:

Priest: The servant of God, N., is crowned for the handmaid of God, N., in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (three times)

All: Amen.

ACA:
The priest places the Bridegroom 's crown upon his head, where the Bridegroom: 's attendant steadies it, and takes up the other crown and makes with it the sign of the Cross three times over the head of the bride, and touches the head of the Bridegroom  with it each time saying:

Greek:
Then he crowns the bride for the groom by making the sign of the Cross with the crowns and saying three times:

Priest: The handmaid of God, N., is crowned for the servant of God, N., in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (three times)

All: Amen.

BME:
The following hymn in the seventh tone is chanted by the priest and people.

Greek:
Then he places the crowns on their heads while chanting alternately with the people three times the following:

ACA:
The priest takes the Bridegroom 's crown in his right hand, and the bride's crown in his left, and exchanges them three times saying:

Priest: O Lord our God, crown them with glory and honor. [and grant them dominion over the works of your hands.] (three times)

Greek:
And the best man exchanges the crowns three times.


Deacon: Let us be attentive.

Reader: (GR: Tone 4 pl; DG: tone 8) You have placed upon their heads crowns of precious stones; they asked life from you and you gave it to them.

Stichon: For you will give them your blessing forever and ever; you will make them rejoice with gladness through your presence.

Deacon: Wisdom.

Reader: The Reading from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Ephesians.

Deacon: Let us be attentive.

ACA:
While the Epistle is being read, the priest incenses around the hold altar, the sanctuary and all present, in the accustomed manner.

Reader: (EPHESIANS 5:20-33) Brethren, always give thanks for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God the Father, and be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, be subject to your husbands as to the Lord; for the man is the head of the woman, just as Christ also is the head of the Church, and he is, indeed, the savior of the body. But just as the Church is subject to Christ, so must women be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the Church and gave himself up for her to consecrate her, cleaning her by water and the word, so that he might present the Church to himself all glorious, with no stain or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and without blemish. In the same way men are bound to love their wives as they love their own bodies. In loving his wife a man loves himself. For no one ever hated his own body but provides and cares for it as the Lord does the Church; for we are living parts of his body, of his flesh and of his bones; for this reason shall a man leave his father and mother and shall cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and Church. Yet each one of you individually must love his wife as his very self, and the wife must see to it that she treat her husband with respect.

Priest: Peace to you, reader.

Reader: And to your spirit.

All: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Stichon: O Lord, you will protect and guard us forever.

Deacon: Wisdom. Let us stand and listen to the Holy Gospel.

Priest: Peace to all.

All: And to your spirit.

Deacon: A reading from the holy Gospel according to John the Evangelist.

All: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

Deacon: Let us be attentive.

Deacon: (JOHN 2:1-11) At that time there was a wedding at Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus and his disciples were also guests at the wedding. When the wine gave out, Jesus's Mother said to him: "They have no more wine. Jesus said to her: "Why should that concern you and me, lady? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants: "Whatever he tells you to do, do it." There were six stone water jars standing near, of the kind used for Jewish rites of purification, holding twenty of thirty gallons each. Jesus said to them: "Fill the jars with water," and they filled them up to the brim. Then he said to them: "Now draw some out and take it to the steward of the feast," and they did so. When the steward of the feast tasted the water, now turned into wine, (not knowing its source, even though the servants knew), he called the groom and said to him: "Everyone serves the best wine first, and when everybody has had plenty to drink, then that which is not so good; but you have kept the best wine till now!" With this miracle in Cana of Galilee did Jesus begin his divine signs and revealed his glory, and led his disciples to believe in him.

All: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

Deacon: Let say with our whole mind and soul, let us all say:

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Lord almighty, God of our Fathers, we pray hear and have mercy.

All: Lord have mercy.

Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, in your great mercy; we pray to You, hear us and have mercy!

All: Lord, have mercy (three times).

Deacon: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, for your servants N. and N., newly wed, along with their attendants, parents, relatives and all here present, we pray to you, hear and have mercy.

All: Lord, have mercy (three times).

Priest: O Lord our God, who in your saving providence vouchsafed by your presence in Cana of Galilee to declare marriage honorable: Do you, the same Lord, now also maintain in peace and concord your servants N. and N. and grant them to lead an upright and blameless life even unto a ripe old age, walking in your commandments with a pure heart. (Aloud) For you are a merciful God and you love mankind and we render glory to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

DG:
Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us and protect us, O God, by your grace.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That this whole day may be perfect, holy peaceful and without sin, let us ask the Lord.

All: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: For an angel of peace, a faithful guide and guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.

All: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: For the forgiveness and remission of our sins and offenses, let us ask the Lord.

All: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: For what is good and profitable to our souls and for peace in the world, let us ask the Lord.

All: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: That the rest of our life may be spent in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.

All: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: That the end of our life may be Christian, painless, unashamed and peaceful, and for a good defense before the awesome judgment seat of Christ, let us ask

All: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: Remembering our all holy, spotless, most highly blessed and glorious Lady the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ God.

All: To You, O Lord.

Priest: And make us worthy, Master, to dare with confidence and without condemnation to call you Father, O God of heaven, and to say:

All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Priest: For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

Priest: Peace to all.

All: And to your spirit.

Deacon: Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

All: To you, O Lord.

BME:
The priest blesses the glass of wine with the following prayer:

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: O God, who created all things by your might and made firm the universe and adorned the crown of all the things you created: with your spiritual blessing, bless this common cup given to those who are united in the community of marriage. For blessed is your name and glorified is your kingdom, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

BME:
Then the priest offers the common cup, first to the groom and then to the bride; likewise to the best man and the maid of honor, while the choir chants the following kinonikon:

Greek:
While the priest offers the cup first to the groom and then to the bride, from which each takes three sips, the people chant:

ACA:
The priest gives the newly-wedded pair to drink of the cup, three times each in turn, in token of their common life together.

BME:
I will take the chalice of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. Alleluia.

BME:
Now, led by the priest, they make a procession around the tetrapod three times, while the choir chants the following hymns:

ACA:
When they have partaken, the Bridegroom  takes the bride's right hand in his left, and followed by their attendants., they walk three times around the analogion, the priest preceding them and incensing as he goes. Meanwhile the following hymns are sung:

Greek:
The priest then leads the groom and the bride around the table three times, holding them by their joined hands with his left hand, and holding the Holy Gospel book in his right. The best man walks behind them holding the ribbon that joins the two crowns in the middle with one hand. The priest and people chant at each circle alternately the following three hymns:

(Tone 5)
O Isaiah, dance for joy, for the Virgin has indeed conceived and bore a Son called Emmanuel, both God and Man; Daybreak is his name; whom as we glorify, the Virgin we do truly bless.

(Tone 7)
O Holy Martyrs, who have fought well and have been crowned, intercede with the Lord to have mercy on our souls.

Glory to you, O Christ our God, the Apostles' boast and pride, the delight of the martyrs, whose preaching was the consubstantial Trinity.

BME:
The priest removes the crown from the head of the Bridegroom, saying:

Greek:
After they have returned to their original positions, the priest reads the following prayers, first over the groom and then over the bride.

Priest: Be exalted, O Bridegroom: , like Abraham, and blessed like Isaac and multiply like Jacob, walking in peace and fulfilling in righteousness the commandments of God.

BME:
He removes the crown of the bride, saying:

And you, O bride, be exalted like Sara, joyful like Rebecca and multiply like Rachel, rejoicing in your own husband and observing the conditions of the law so God is well pleased.


Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.

Priest: O God our God, who were present in Cana of Galilee and there blessed the marriage feast, bless also these your servants who through your good providence are joined together in the communion of marriage. Bless their comings and goings. Fill their life with good things. Accept their crowns in your kingdom, preserving them spotless, blameless, and without reproach forever and ever.

All: Amen.

Priest: Peace to all.

All: And to you spirit.

Deacon: Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

All: To you,O Lord.

ACA:
The priest then bestows the nuptial blessing upon the newly married couple, saying:

Priest: May the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the all-holy, consubstantial and life-giving Trinity, one Godhead and one Kingdom: bless you and grant you long life, fair children, progress in life and faith. May he fill you with all earthly goods and make you worthy to enjoy the promised blessings through the intercession of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints.

All: Amen.

ACA:
The newly married pair kiss the Cross and each other, and the priest say the dismissal prayer.

DG:
The priest leads the newly married couple before the icons of Christ and of the Mother of God. After they venerate them, he says:

Priest: Glory to you, Christ God our hope, glory to you.

All: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amen. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Give the blessing, Father, in the name of the Lord.

Priest: May Christ our true God, who declared marriage to be honorable by his presence at Cana in Galilee, through the intercession of his all pure Mother, of the holy, glorious apostles who are worthy of all praise, of the holy Kings crowned by God and equal to the apostles, Constantine and Helen, of the holy great Martyr, Procopios, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us for he is good and loves mankind.

All: Amen.

Priest: Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord, Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

All: Amen.


The Order for the Removal of the Marriage Crowns

On the eighth day after the wedding, or shortly thereafter, the bridal pair returns to the church at the proper time, and with their attendants, come to stand before the Holy Gates; the priest gives them lighted candles to hold and places the wedding crowns upon their heads, saying:

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: O Lord our God, who has blessed the crown of the year and permitted these crowns to be placed upon those who are united to one another by the law of marriage, thereby granting them a reward for continence, for they are pure who are united in the marriage which you have made lawful: do you also bless in the removal of these crowns those who have been united to one another, and preserve their union indissoluble, that they may evermore give thanks to your all holy name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

Priest: Peace to all.

All: And to your spirit.

Deacon: Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

All: To you, O Lord.

Priest: These your servants having come together in harmony, O Lord, and having consummated the covenant of marriage, as at Cana in Galilee, contracted the pledges thereof, and put off its symbols, ascribe glory to you, the eternal Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

All: Amen.

ACA:
When the priest has removed the crowns and taken the candles from the bridal pair, he blesses them with the hand cross and dismisses them with the following prayer; they kiss the cross and return to their places in the church.

Priest: May Christ our true God, who declared marriage to be honorable by his presence at Cana in Galilee, through the intercession of his all pure Mother, of the holy, glorious apostles who are worthy of all praise, of the holy Kings crowned by God and equal to the apostles, Constantine and Helen, of the holy great Martyr, Procopios, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us for he is good and loves mankind.

All: Amen.

 


Abbreviations

ACA Antiochian Christian Archdiocese, Service Book of the Holy Eastern Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church, 1971.,

BME Haggar, J, trans., Byzantine Melkite Euchologion, Jounieh, Lebanon, St Paul Press, 1972.
Translation from the Greek Euchologion, Roman edition of 1954 and 1955 and adapted to the Arabic Euchologion by the Holy Synod on May 3, 1968.

DG Guillaume, D, trans, Grand Euchologe et Arkhieratikon, Diaconie Apostolique, Rome, 1992.

GR Constantinides, E, trans., The Priest's Service Book, Athens, Melissa Printing Co, 1989.