Wedding

Wedding Requirements & Information

"A great mystery is being celebrated. How is it a mystery? They come together, and the two are made one. They have not become the image of anything earthly, but of God Himself. They come in order to be made one body; behold the mystery of love!"

(St. John Chrysostom, Homily 12 on Colossians)

Marriage is much more than a merely private transaction between two individuals; it is an event in which Jesus Christ Himself participates through the presence of the sacramental minister, the priest, and that of the praying community, the church. In view of this "ecclesial" dimension of marriage, therefore, a wedding must be performed within the context of the Orthodox Church in order for the Church to recognize and affirm the validity and authenticity of the marriage.

Requirements Prior to the Wedding

Church Membership

One or both members of the engaged couple must be a member in good standing of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and be a pledging Steward for the current year.

More importantly, the couple should be attending services on a regular basis. Preparing for a wedding can be a very trying time for couples. It is a time when remembering the mystical reason for the occasion often becomes obliterated by arrangements being made. This is an opportunity to begin a lifelong commitment to actively living ones’ Christian faith.

Previously Married Couples:

If one of the spouses has been previously married and divorced, he/she must present a copy of the civil divorce decree. Furthermore, if a previous marriage took place in the Orthodox Church, the divorced spouse must also have received a “Decree of Ecclesial Divorce” document and submit the original along with the marriage application. Please be advised, the process of an ecclesial divorce can take a few months.

Interfaith Marriages

The Orthodox Christian Faith blesses interfaith marriages under the following conditions:

• The non-Orthodox Bride/Groom must be a Christian who has been baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity. A copy of the certificate is required.

• The couple should be willing to baptize their children in the Orthodox Church.

Choosing a Sponsor or Koumbaros/Koumbara?

In the wedding ceremony the Orthodox Church requires a Sponsor (koumbaros - male, Koumbara - female). The Sponsor is the one who stands as witness on behalf of the Orthodox Church during the ceremony. Hence, it is imperative that this person be an Orthodox Christian; there are no exceptions to this rule. The Sponsor exchanges the rings and the crowns during the ceremony. By participating in the sacrament in this manner, the sponsor is making a pledge to be a guide and support to the marriage.

The Role of the Sponsor

By custom, the Sponsor is the one who (if spouses agree) may eventually baptize the first child of the couple. Usually one Sponsor exchanges both the rings and the crowns. If there are two sponsors, one may exchange the rings and the other the crowns.

Requirements to Serve as a Sponsor

v The koumbaros/koumbara must also be a member in good standing of the Orthodox Church.

v If he/she belongs to another Orthodox parish, the priest must receive a letter of good standing from the parish priest.

v If he/she is married, the marriage must have been blessed by the Orthodox Church; if divorced (after marriage in the Orthodox Church) an ecclesiastical divorce must already have been issued.

Best Man & Maid of Honor

Couples may still designate a Best Man and Maid of Honor who are not members of the Orthodox Church. If this is the case, the Sponsor stands next to the groom or bride.

Reserving and Setting a Wedding Date with the Church

Reservations for wedding dates are made at a scheduled appointment with the priest by the person being married. Do not reserve hotels or print invitations without confirming with the priest that the date is available. Due to the time required for pre-marital preparation at least 3-4 months are needed to complete the required program in order to be married in the Church.

Items Needed for the Wedding Day:

The couple may decide which of the following items are to be provided by the Sponsor or themselves:

Two Wedding Rings (always provided by the spouses)

The Crowns or Stephana. Typically, provided by Koumbaro or Koumbara

• Two decorated candles (usually come with the Stephana)

• A wedding tray filled with koufeta (Jordan almonds).

Pre-Marital Requirement:

In order to provide the engaged couple with every opportunity to enjoy all the blessings of married life, participation in pre-marital counseling is mandatory. Please call the Church office to schedule your appointments. We typically will meet 2 or 3 times depending on individual circumstances. a book entitled “AFTER THE HONEYMOON” by Peter Kalellis which you must read together and be prepared to discuss at one of our meetings

Documents Needed for the Ecclesial License to Marry

At the first consultation with the priest you will apply for the ecclesial license to marry. The following items are required to complete the application to be married in the Church.

• Baptismal certificates/dates for the Bride and the Groom.

• If the Bride or Groom was previously married in a civil service, a copy of the civil divorce must be presented.

• If the Bride and Groom are already civilly married, a copy of the Certificate of Marriage must be presented.

• If the Bride or Groom was married before in the Orthodox Church, they must present the original ecclesial divorce certificate.

Civil Marriage License

Couples are also required by law to obtain a civil marriage license from the city in order for a priest to marry them in a Church. The License will be signed at the conclusion of the Wedding ceremony by the Priest, the Bride and Groom and two witnesses. You may be required to provide a driver's license as proof of age. Both parties must be present to obtain a marriage license.

Civil Marriage Licenses can be obtained by visiting http://probate.cuyahogacounty.us/marriage.aspx

Preparation for the Sacrament

The Bride and/or Groom who are of the Orthodox Faith are encouraged to participate in the sacraments of Holy Confession and Holy Communion the week before the wedding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Invitations to the Reception

No invitations should be printed until the date and time have been confirmed with Fr. Dean.

If you wish to have the Fr. Dean and his Presvytera (wife) attend your reception, please send them an invitation in advance to their home address.

Church Fees

STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT: You must pledge the $400.00 which is the current amount. If you are a member in Good standing at another Orthodox Church, a letter is required from the parish priest and the fee is $200.00.

Please include a separate check for $100.00, payable to the Annunciation for administrative fees applied on the date of your wedding rehearsal and wedding day.

The required financial obligations must be paid in full before we can start the paperwork for a License to Marry from the Holy Metropolis of Pittsburgh. This payment is due at the signing of the wedding papers.

Please note that this fee is NOT considered an honorarium for the priest or chanter. A separate honorarium is traditionally offered to these individuals.

Chanter

All weddings require a chanter who should be given a minimum honorarium of $50.00 made payable to the chanter.

Music Options for your Wedding

• Contact the Organist of the Church and select music to play prior to the ceremony. The Organist has a set fee which is payable prior to the date of the wedding. Please contact Mary Ellen 440.351.9304

Other options for music during wedding processional & recessional:

A CD can play classical wedding music (only traditional wedding music is allowed) over the sound system
The Chanter can sing a traditional byzantine wedding hymn
Stringed instruments may be requested in writing and well in advance of the sacrament to the Metropolis Registrar. They will only be allowed on a case-by-case basis. All other instruments are prohibited for use in any of the sacraments.

Purchasing Crowns & Candles for the Wedding

Please consult the internet to order the Stephana and Candles.

Location of the Wedding Sacrament

Weddings are not permitted to take place at any venue other than the Church i.e. at a home, resort, hotel or local park. When an Orthodox Church is available it must be used for the ceremony.

Flowers in the church

Floral decorations are allowed on the pew ends or in front of the sanctuary. The florist must contact the Church Office and make arrangements for the Church to be opened prior to the ceremony. One hour prior to the wedding is the usual time given.

Photographer

Flash photography is allowed, however, most professional do not need to use a flash at Annunciation. A videographer is also allowed, however, they must not have bulky and oversized stands and equipment. You do not want your wedding to look like a movie set. The photographer should be instructed to speak with Fr. Dean concerning restrictions just prior to the ceremony.

Bridesmaids' Dresses

A sense of modesty must be maintained in the Sanctuary. Every wedding takes place in God's holy house and requires a corresponding sense of decorum.

Groomsmen & Ushers

Non-Orthodox persons may act as ushers or bridesmaids at an Orthodox Wedding, but the koumbaros/koumbara must be an Orthodox Christian, as stated earlier.

Length of the Wedding Ceremony/Arrival Time

The wedding ceremony is approximately 40 minutes long. Each wedding party will have up to one hour prior to the scheduled wedding time for access to the Church.

Non-Orthodox clergyman presence is permitted under the following conditions.

• The Orthodox wedding ceremony does not permit the active participation of non-Orthodox clergy during the ceremony.

• At the conclusion of the Orthodox ceremony, the guest clergyman, will be properly acknowledged and may give his benediction and blessings to the couple.

Vows

The first part of the wedding ceremony is the betrothal or the "Service of the Promise" in which the couple’s commitment to each other is being sealed with their commitment to Christ. There is not an exchange of vows as part of the marriage ceremony at the Annunciation.

Non-Orthodox Spouses

A Christian from another church who desires to marry an Orthodox Christian does not automatically become a member of the Orthodox Church. If they would like to become a member of the church please speak with Fr. Dean. If they have been baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity they are received through the sacrament of Chrismation.

Days when marriages are not permitted:

January 5 and 6 - The Eve of Epiphany

Great Lent and Holy Week

August 1 - 15 - Fast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary

August 29 - Feast of the Beheading of John the Baptist

September 14 - Feast of the Cross

December 13 - 25 - Christmas Fast

All Holy Days of our Lord