1. The Procession: The priest wears his liturgical vestments and deacons bring the bride and groom in a procession into the church. The priest takes the rings and ties them with a scarlet ribbon symbolizing the union of the couple with the blood of Christ. He draws the altar's veil and starts the prayers.

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2. The Sign of the Cross: The blessing, "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen! Blessed is God the Father, blessed is the only Son, and blessed is the Holy Spirit," is done for the newly married couple and their wedding rings, as a blessing for the partners and for their partnership, and for the covenant of love between them.

After this the blessings of the vestments (chasubles) and both the groom and the bride are vested with the chasubles to symbolize that they have become the family priests . As for the wedding rings, they are a mark of the covenant of love.

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3. St. Paul's Epistle: A passage is read from St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians (5:22 - 6:3) in which the Apostle draws our attention to the proper foundations for the Christian home.

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4. The Holy Gospel: After Holy Book of Psalm 19:5,6 "Like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber" and Psalm 128:3 "Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house" are read, there follows the Gospel according to St. Matthew where the Lord stresses:

"He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female'" (Mt. 19:4).

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5. The unity of the married couple: "The two shall become one flesh" (Mt. 19:5).

The continuity of the marriage: "What God has joined together let not man separate." (Mt. 19:6).

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6. The Litany: In this, the priest and all the congregation ask God for His mercy to bless the groom and bride as He blessed Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel, Joseph and Asenath, and as He also blessed the wedding at Cana of Galilee by His gracious presence.

Here the three long litanies are prayed since the new home is a cell in the extended family of God, so we pray for the peace of the church, the patriarch and all the clergy and for the assemblies of the believers.

After that the creed is recited since the new home is founded on the rock of faith, our creed.

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7. The Three Prayers: The priest asks for spiritual blessing and real unity for the couple, "That they may have happiness, faith, and joyfulness." He also prays that God will "Grant them prosperity, wisdom, and the blessings of salvation" and grant them godly children, "For life, O Lord, comes from You, and the fruit of life from the womb."

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8. Anointing With Oil: The priest says a special prayer to bless the oil: "As a weapon for righteousness and justice; an anointing for purity and incorruptibility; radiance and beauty that will never fade, and a renewal and salvation for their souls, their bodies and their spirits." The deacons respond at the end of each section by singing a joyful 'Amen.' Then the priest anoints the couple.

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9. The Chasuble and the Crowns: The priest prays over the chasuble and the crowns so that the couple may receive, "Crowns of glory and honor, blessing and salvation, joy and happiness, virtue and justice, strength and stability." The priest crowns the newly married couple, as crowning them in spiritual glory in their new church. The priest then puts the chasuble on the groom as a symbol that he has become the family priest. He is to lead his family in prayer and Christian love. As for the wedding rings, they are a mark of the covenant of love. That is why they are transferred from the right hand to the left, which is closer to the heart.

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10. The Presentation: The priest presents the bride to the groom with a special prayer. Then he covers both their hands with a Communion napkin that was originally given to them as a preparation for Holy Communion. It is now just to remind them to receive Holy Communion as husband and wife.

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11. The Exhortation, the Benediction, and the Absolution: Now the priest urges both bride and groom to take special care to nurture their love for each other and to cherish their family ties. He then blesses them and dispenses them with the congregation in peace.

D&H

Crowning Ceremony

Reception