A Step-by-Step Guide to the Greek Orthodox Wedding Ceremony

A Greek Orthodox wedding is one of the most beautiful and deeply symbolic ceremonies in the Christian tradition. If you’re a wedding photographer or guest about to attend a Greek Orthodox wedding for the first time, you may be wondering “what on earth am I getting myself into!” From the stefana to the Dance of Isaiah, every part of the ceremony is rooted in theology that emphasizes unity, faith, and the couple’s journey together in Christ. This guide will walk you through each step so you can fully embrace the beauty and meaning behind this sacred celebration.

01. Betrothal: Blessing of the Rings

The priest begins by blessing the wedding rings and places them on the couple’s right hands. The rings are the visible mark of betrothal and the commitment that the bride and groom have made to one another. In the Orthodox church, married couples wear their rings on their right hand with which the presence of God is recognized through the sign of the Cross.

The koumbaro/a (wedding sponsor) then exchanges the rings between the bride and groom three times. This act symbolizes the intertwining of their lives and the presence of Christ in their marriage. Following this, the priest blesses both of them and betrothes them to one another:

“Then the Priest takes the rings, blesses them, makes with them the Sign of the Cross over the man’s head, and says:

The servant of God (Name) is betrothed to the servant of God (Name) in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Thrice) Amen.

At the third time, the Priest puts the woman’s ring on the man’s right finger, and the man’s ring on the woman’s right finger.

Then the sponsor exchanges the rings thrice.”

– Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

02. The Service of the Crowning

This is the focal point of the wedding service where the bride and groom are crowned, signifying the honor with which God crowns the bride and groom during the sacrament. It also signifies that they are king and queen of their own kingdom – their home – which they will rule with prayer, wisdom, justice, and integrity.

Just as done with the rings, the priest blesses the crowns, holds them together, and touches them to the forehead of the bride and groom while intoning a prayer.

“The servant of God, (Groom), is crowned to the handmaiden of God, (bride), in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

The crowns are then placed on their heads, linked by a ribbon which symbolizes the unity of the couple and the presence of Christ who joins them together. The koumbaro/a then exchanges the crowns three times between the couple, symbolizing the complete union.

03. The Epistle and Gospel Readings

After the crowning, there are two New Testament readings:

The first is from St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians where he exhorts married couples “to be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

The second reading is from the Gospel of John (2:1-11) describing the wedding at Cana that was attended and blessed by Jesus as he performed His first miracle of transforming water into wine.

04. The Common Cup

The newlyweds are offered three sips of wine from the Common Cup, marking the symbolic sharing of their lives as husband and wife. From this moment on, they will share everything in life – joys as well as sorrows.

05. The Dance of Isaiah: The Ceremonial Procession

Immediately following the partaking of the Common Cup, the ceremonial procession occurs. The priest places his hand on the joined hands of the couple and leads them in a circle three times around the ceremonial table. The couple is followed by their koumbaro/a (sponsor) who holds the ribbon between their crowns . This represents their first steps as husband and wife following Jesus Christ, who is symbolically represented by the Holy Gospel that the priest holds during this part.

Since a circle has no beginning or end, walking in a circle represents eternity and their oath to forever preserve their marriage bond. In the center of their circle is the Gospel and the Cross, placed on the table they walk around, signifying that Christ should always be at the center of their lives.

06. The Dismissal: Removal of the Crowns

The priest removes the stefana as the final blessings are offered:

“Accept their crowns in Your kingdom unsoiled and undefiled, and preserve them without offense to the ages of ages.”

This final action reminds the couple of the meaning of marriage: whatever happens to them in their life together, their crowns are a symbol of the Kingdom of God.

The priest recites some final prayers to the couple and then separates the couple’s joined hands with the Gospel, signifying that only God may break the marriage between them.

Once the couple exits the church, they are normally greeted with rice (greek word rizes, meaning root). Some believe that the rice “takes root,” symbolizing the couple growing together and building a lasting future.

Other Things to Note

The Orthodox wedding ceremony normally lasts around 45 minutes long, but you should plan for it to take an hour from start to end. Additionally, the Church has designated specific days in which the sacrament of marriage cannot be performed. This includes:

• September 14 (Exaltation of the Holy Cross)
• December 13-24 (Nativity Fast)
• January 5 (Eve of the Theophany)
• Great Lent and Holy Week
• August 1-14 (Dormition Fast)
• August 29 (Beheading of St. John the Baptist)