The Sacrament of Marriage

THE CERMONY: The marriage ceremony of the Orthodox Church is steeped in ritual and symbolism. Each of the acts which you will observe today has special meaning and significance.
THE CANDLES: The bride and groom are given lighted candles, a sign of faith in Christ as the light of the world. The candles symbolize the spiritual willingness of the couple to receive Christ, who will bless them through this sacrament.
THE RINGS: The rings are blessed by the priest who takes them in his hand and making the sign of the cross over the bride’s and groom’s heads, he declares their betrothal before God.
The priest, godfather and best man then in turn perform the ritual of exchanging the rings, taking the bride’s ring and placing it on the groom’s finger and vice-versa, three times. The rings are a symbol betrothal from ancient times, and they are an outward sign that the couple pledges to join in the marriage of their own free will and consent.
The exchange of the rings signifies that in married life, the weaknesses of one partner will be compensated for by the strength of the other, the imperfections of one, by the perfection of the other. Each will be enriched by the union.
THE JOINING OF THE RIGHT HANDS: The right hands of the bride and groom are joined by a white cloth when the priest reads the prayer asking God to “join these, thy servants, unite them in one mind and one flesh”. The hands are kept joined throughout the service as a visible sign of the oneness of the couple.
THE CROWNING: The crowning is the high point of the service, the ultimate expression of the spiritual reality of the sacrament. The bride and groom are honoured and glorified as husband and wife, as king and queen of their own dominion – at home and family, which they will rule with wisdom, justice and integrity.
The priest, godfather and best man each perform the ritual of exchanging the crowns, taking the bride’s crown and placing it on the groom and vice-versa, three times. The practice of performing rituals in three’s occurs in honour of the holy trinity; the father, the son and the holy spirit.
THE COMMON CUP: Wine is given to the couple in a common cup. This is the ‘common cup’ of life which serves to impress upon the couple that from that moment on they will share everything in life. Not only will they bear one another’s burdens but their joys will be doubled and their sorrows halved because they will be shared.
THE CEREMONIAL WALK: The first steps of the couple’s common life are taken in a procession around the lesser alter, the small table bearing a candle, the cross and the Gospel, expressing the commitment to always walk together, in obedience to God. Circles are signs of eternity, and the three circles formed in the procession represent the eternal path of the marriage. The church, represented by the priest godfather and best man, leads the couple around the table.
THE FINAL BLESSING: The bride and groom return to their place and the priest gives the final blessing. The visible signs of their new life, the crowns and white cloth around the hands are removed. God is asked to bless their life and to keep their crowns for when they enter his Kingdom.
YOUR PRESENCE: In attending the wedding ceremony, the church asks you not only to witness the marriage of two people, but also to add your prayers to theirs that God may bless their life together. For “unless the Lord build the house, those who build it labour in vain”. (PS. 127:1)

Requirement for Marriage

Church Temple: orthodox church consecrated by Holy Spirit, a House of God
• Canonical Orthodox Priest: the priest should be part of the clergy of the Diocese and trough Diocesan Bishop and Holy Synod to be connected with the Holy Spirit.
• Зетот и Невестата да бидат крстени, да се 18 години или постари и да немаат било какви пречки предвидени со Законот на црквата и државата за стапување во брак.
• Да има двајца сведоци на венчанието, Кум и Девер, кои се 18 години или постари, крстени, и да не се во роднинска врска помеѓу себе.
• Пред најмалку 31 ден а најмногу 18 месеци да Зетот и Невестата да потпишат Апликација за Венчание, и притоа да ги приложат следниве документи:
• Извод од матичната книга на родените за Зетот и Невестата,
• Свидетелство за Крштевање на Зетот и Невестата,
• Валидни Возачка дозвола или пасош за Зетот и Невестата,
• Ако имало предходен брак, Пресуда дека предходниот брак е разведен,
• Информации за Кумот и Деверот: Име и Презиме, Адреса, Домашен и мобилен телефонски број, емаил адреса, занимање, и свидетелство дека е крстен.

Items required

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FAQ

Q: Дали е потребно да има кум и кума задолжително?

A: не е потребно да има двајца, туку само еден кум или кума.