How to Prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage
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After being on the Greek singles scene, you finally met a fellow Greek with whom to spend your life. There are so many plans to be made! You’ll need to decide on your guest list, find a place for the reception, select your wedding party, and more.
Also, you have decided to get married in the Greek Orthodox Church. Not only will you need to plan all the details of the wedding and reception, you will also need to make sure you are spiritually prepared.
About the Sacrament of Marriage
With all that there is to do, it is easy to forget that Holy Matrimony is actually one of the Seven Sacraments. In the Holy Sacrament of Marriage, a man and a woman are eternally joined together as part of God’s Kingdom. Since it is a Holy Sacrament, it is something that should be taken seriously. That is why preparing for it properly is so important.
Practicing Orthodox Christians
In order for two people to get married in the Orthodox Christian Church, the ideal situation is that they are both Orthodox Christians. This means that aside from having been baptized, they should also be members of an Orthodox Christian parish. Ask your priest for details on what you both need to do to be able to get married in the church.
Inter-Faith Marriages
Inter-faith marriages have become more common in recent years. If you are marrying a non-Orthodox Christian, it is best to consult with your priest concerning what you both need to do in order to be able to get married in the Orthodox Christian Church. In some cases, your fiancé will need to prove he or she has been baptized. In other cases, the priest may require that you fiancé convert to Orthodoxy.
Pre-Marital Classes
In order to effectively prepare you for marriage, the church may require that you attend marriage classes before you get married. These classes cover a range of topics including compatibility, the meaning of marriage as an Orthodox Christian, and a summary of any issues that may arise while you are together. Some priests give the class to couples individually, or if there are a lot of people getting married in the church, he may choose to hold the class as a big group.
Scheduling Your Wedding
Did you know that there are days in the Orthodox calendar when you aren’t able to get married? Dates include Easter, throughout Great Lent and Holy Week, Christmas, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and more. For more details as to which days are available for you to get married, consult with your priest.
Getting married is about more than planning the details. In the Greek Orthodox Church, marriage is one of the Seven Sacraments. For more details on how you should prepare for it, be sure to ask your priest. Each situation is different and you want to make sure you are prepared to enter this spiritual union.
Categorized in: Greek Wedding Traditions
This post was written by Greek Boston
