Our wedding is in the Orthodox Christian tradition. Here are some aspects unique to our service that you might find interesting.


Sunday Wedding: Our wedding is on a Sunday. Orthodox weddings are often held on Sundays, as we celebrate the Resurrection on that day. Since marriage is a sacrament in the Orthodox Church, we find beautiful spiritual symbolism of two becoming one on the day that signifies everlasting life and Christ’s triumph over death.

Rings on Right Hand: We will wear our wedding bands on our right hands. In our tradition, the right hand represents honor and blessing (for example, “sitting at the right hand of the Father” in the Scriptures). Priests also use their right hands to bless their congregation, and Orthodox Christians use their right hands to cross themselves, moving first to the right and then the left shoulder. Because the right hand is highly favored, representing honor, many Orthodox Christians wear wedding rings on their right hands to show honor to their husband or wife.

Christian Names: You will hear us called “servant of God Timothy” and “handmaiden of God Anna” throughout the ceremony. These are our Christian names which are typically either patron saint names given at birth or taken upon conversion to Orthodoxy. Tim’s patron saint is St. Timothy of Ephesus, and Kelly’s is St. Anna of Kashin.

Standing: Orthodox Christians usually stand during worship services if they are able. We stand during worship as a way to show reverence and attentiveness to God as is seen throughout Scripture. However, there are will be pews and chairs if you would like to sit instead.

Betrothal Service: The Betrothal consists of a number of petitions the blessing of the rings, and a concluding prayer. The rings are the symbol of betrothal from the most ancient times. During the service the priest blesses the rings in a form of a cross over the heads of the bride and groom three times, then places them on their right hands. The exchange signifies that in married life the weakness of one partner will be compensated for the strength of the other interchangeably; by themselves the newly betrothed are incomplete, but together they are made perfect; thus, the exchange of the rings gives expression to the fact that the spouses in marriage will continually be complementing each other. Each will be enriched by the union.


The Candles: The wedding service begins immediately following the betrothal service. The couple are handed candles which they hold throughout the service. The candles symbolize the spiritual willingness of the couple to receive Christ who will bless them through this sacrament.



Crowns: The crowning, which follows is the climax of the wedding service. Crowns are symbolic of the great honor and responsibility that attend the establishment of a new Christian family. The new bride and groom are crowned as king and queen of their own domestic kingdom. The kingdom established today is not to be a separate kingdom, but fully integrated in the Kingdom of God. The purpose of living together in it is that that they and their children will achieve salvation by living a true Christian life. The priest takes up the crowns and makes the sign of the cross over the bride and groom three times and places the crowns on their heads.... The couple will wear the crowns for the remaining of the ceremony. The crowns also have another deep spiritual meaning because they also represent the crowns of martyrdom since every true marriage involves immeasurable self-sacrifice on both sides. This will be revealed in the hymns chanted during the ceremonial walk.



No Vows: Orthodox Christians believe that God is the one who brings the couple together, and God who keeps the couple together. As a result, we do not exchange vows, knowing our own frail human nature will fail our spouse daily, but instead we trust in the goodness and mercy of God who loves mankind to preserve our union, helping us to rise each time we fall, and to forgive one another each time we stumble.

Common Cup: After the priest reads additional passages from Scripture, the bride and groom take three sips of wine from a common (shared) cup. The ritual of drinking wine from a common cup is done in remembrance of Christ’s first miracle at the wedding of Cana of Galilee, where Jesus turned water into wine. The cup represents life and symbolizes the couple's mutual sharing of joy and sorrow. As they drink wine from the common cup, they are reminded that from that moment they will share everything, doubling their joys and dividing their sorrows.

Procession around Table: Following the common cup ritual, the priest leads the couple three times around a table on which a Bible and cross rest. This ritual dance predates Christianity, representing the dance around the Ark of the Covenant. The choir sings three hymns as the couple circles the table. In this act, the couple takes their first steps as a married couple, with the Church (through the priest) leading them.