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MARRIAGE
(MATRIMONY)
Marriage is a sacrament whereby a man and a woman of
their own free will have decided to live together,
and thereby receive the grace and blessing of GOD to
live the conjugal life in faith.
God commanded Adam and Eve: "Be fruitful and
multiply and replenish the earth". Marriage
is:
a) For mutual companionship and aid, for better and
for worse.
b) To live a clean life without passions and un
permitted relations.
c) To raise children in the fear of God and love of
their neighbor.
No Priest is permitted to officiate a marriage in
the Orthodox Church for the following reasons:
a) In-law's are not permitted to marry between
themselves.
b) Aunts and uncles cannot marry their nieces and
nephews.
c) Step-parents cannot marry their step-children,
nor step-children between themselves.
d) First cousins cannot marry between
themselves.
e) Sponsors at baptism cannot marry those whom they
have baptized, nor their parents.
f) Widows or widowers cannot marry during the
mourning period which is at least six months after
the death of a mate.
Marriage is forbidden during LENT.
If you marry outside of the Greek Orthodox church,
you will not be able to receive Holy Communion, act
as a Godfather in a Baptism, or serve as Best man in
an Orthodox Church. You are partially
excommunicated.
Mixed marriages of an Orthodox with a non-Orthodox
are permitted, providing the Sacrament of Marriage
is performed in our church. The Church does NOT
recognize marriages performed by the justice of the
peace or in any other church. The Orthodox who does
so, loses his privilege of receiving Holy Communion,
becoming a Godfather in a Baptism or Best man in an
Orthodox wedding. Nor is he permitted an Orthodox
funeral.
The Marriage Ceremony: In sharing the "common
cup" which is a simple wine, this symbolizes to
the couple that from that moment on they, will share
everything in life, joys as well as sorrows; and
they are to bear one another's burdens
The circling by the bridal pair around the table
which has on it the Bible and Communion, signifies
their oath forever to preserve their marriage bond,
until death shall break the circle. The triple
circling is in honor of the Holy Trinity, (the
Father, the son and the Holy Spirit) who are invoked
to bear witness to their oath.
The beautiful crowns used during the wedding service
signify the bond between the newly married couple
and of the glory and honor which crowns them in the
sacrament. This is their day of being crowned king
and queen of a new household (their kingdom) in a
sacred union with love and harmony.
Wedding rings are exchanged as a symbol of a pledge
to marry and marital fidelity.
Lighted candles held by the bride and groom
symbolize the purity of their lives and that the
couple live their life like a candle, which burns
slowly and brightly.
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by
Rev. Demetrios A. Recachinas, Protopresbyter
Booklet
& Web Version Designed by:
- Vicky
Andriotis
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information about obtaining hard copies of this
booklet, please contact:
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- Holy
Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
4070 Park Avenue
Bridgeport CT 06604
Church Phone (203) 374-5561
Church Fax (203) 374-5770
E-mail: fatherdemetrios@ holytrinitybridgeport.org
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