| |
THE
ARMENIAN WEDDING CEREMONY
Mr & Mrs
D. Karakatounian
|
|
In the early centuries, there was
no specific religious ceremony of marriage. It
was not until the ninth century that the church
developed a special rite of marriage separate
from the Eucharistic Liturgy. Normally, after
entering a civil marriage the Christian couple
partook of the Eucharist and this
"communion" was understood as a seal of
marriage and all responsibilities therein.
However, since the fourth century the early
Christian writers mention a specific rite, a rite
of Crowning performed during the
Eucharistic Liturgy. According to the teachings
of Saint John Chrysostom, the crowns symbolized
victory over passions for the couple and stood as
a sign of the eternity of the sacrament.
The decisive step to regulate the ceremony of the
holy crowning was taken at the beginning of the
tenth century. It was at this time that the rite
of crowning was separated from the Liturgy and
became a unique service of blessing the union of
husband and wife. |
THE ARMENIAN RITE
In the Armenian Church this vivid
ceremony is a portrayal, step by step, of the new life of
husband and wife. The symbolism is striking and points to
the love that is yet to be experienced in this holy
union. Each of the acts performed during the service has
a special meaning and significance.
After being
blessed by the priest, rings are exchanged
between the bride and groom, giving expression to
the fact that spouses in marriage will constantly
be complementing each other. Each will be
enriched by the union. During the exhortation to
the bride and groom and later on in the service,
the right hands of the bride and groom are joined
to symbolize the oneness
of the couple.
|
|
Mr & Mrs
S. Karakatounian
|
The rite of crowning is the climax of
the wedding service. The crowns are the sign of the glory
and honor with which God crowns them during the
Sacrament.
 |
|
The groom and the bride are
crowned as the king and the queen of their own
little kingdom, the home, which they will rule
with wisdom, justice, and integrity. During the
crowning, the bride and groom face one another
and the best man stands between the two, holding
a cross over their heads. |
The rite of crowning is followed by the
blessing of the common cup
when a goblet of wine is blessed in remembrance of the
marriage at Cana of Galilee which was blessed by
Christ’s presence. The drinking of the wine from the
goblet serves to impress upon the couple that from that
moment on they will share everything in life, joys as
well as sorrow.
| At the end of the wedding
ceremony the priest blesses the couple, asking
Christ to "protect them under the
shadow of thy holy and honorable cross in peace".
Thus God’s grace is imparted to them to live
together in His love, mutually fulfilling and
perfecting each other. |
|
Mr & Mrs
J. Karakatounian |
Reference: "THE
SACRAMENTS"- The Symbols of our Faith by Reverend
Garabed Kochakian
Have a comment, contribution or suggestion? Click here and send it to us
|