The Catholic Church & Greek Orthodox Weddings
The decision to get married is an important decision that changes the lives of the couple. The Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches teach that marriage is a calling for the bride and groom from the Holy Spirit. Once the couple are joined in marriage, they are joined for eternity. Catholic and Greek Orthodox weddings are public celebrations of the vocation of marriage. The teachings of the churches about marriage are incorporated into the wedding ceremonies of the Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches.
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Marriage in the Catholic Church
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Marriage is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. The church teaches that marriage should be between two baptized Christians and sanctified by the church through an ordained priest. A marriage must be blessed by the Catholic Church in order to be a Catholic marriage, and to be recognized by the church. According to the Catholic Church, marriage is a calling for the bride and groom and is considered a vocation.
Marriage in the Greek Orthodox Church
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Marriage is also a sacrament in the Greek Orthodox Church. According to church teachings, marriage is an eternal vocation and not simply a relationship or partnership. A man and woman are called by the Holy Spirit to marriage and to share their lives with each other. The wedding is the public declaration of the bride and groom's calling to unity with each other.
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Catholic Weddings
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Catholics are encouraged to celebrate a nuptial mass for their wedding ceremonies. This is a Catholic mass that includes the rite of marriage. The nuptial mass has three parts: the liturgy of the word, the rite of marriage and the liturgy of the Eucharist. The liturgies of the word and Eucharist are parts of a typical mass, but the readings, music and prayers are appropriate for a wedding. The rite of marriage is the exchanging of vows and blessing and exchanging of rings. The nuptial mass typically ends with a special blessing for the couple.
Greek Orthodox Weddings
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Greek Orthodox wedding ceremonies consist of two parts: the betrothal service and the marriage service. The betrothal service includes the official blessing of the wedding rings. The focus of the marriage service is the crowning of the bride and groom. In the marriage service are the joining of the hands, the Bible readings, the common cup and the dance of Isaiah. The common cup is not communion; it is a sign of unity between the bride and groom, as well as a sign of unity with Christ.
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References
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