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.