In an Eastern Orthodox wedding, the
couple gets to be king and queen for the day. The centerpiece
of the ceremony is the elaborate crowns that are placed on the
couple's heads. They are not only worn at the wedding, but are
displayed in the couple's home for a long time to come.
CROWNING CEREMONY
In Eastern Orthodoxy, the crowning is the climax of the
ceremony. There are many interpretations of this tradition.
Most believe it symbolically crowns the bride and groom as
king and queen of their own little kingdom, the home. Others
believe the rite evokes the crown of thorns worn by Jesus.
Still another view is that the crowns represent the couple's
victory over passion, and are a reward for their virtue.
Regardless of the customs origin, the crowning is the most
important part of a Eastern Orthodox wedding. So important, in
fact, that the entire service has been described as "The
Matrimonial Coronation." During the crowning, the best
man, or koumbaros, places two ornate crowns on the couple's
heads. The crowns are connected by a ribbon that literally
unites the bride and groom for the remainder of the service,
symbolically tying them together for the rest of their lives.
The priest recites a blessing asking that the couple be
crowned with honor and glory. Then, either the koumbaros or
the priest has the honor of exchanging the crowns three times,
moving them back and forth on the couple's heads. The bride
and groom hold hands during the crowning and throughout the
rest of the ceremony.
When the priest removes the crowns, the couple is considered
married. The priest then blesses them and says, "Be thou
magnified, O bridegroom." At the end of the ceremony the
koumbaros and groomsmen carry out the crowns, which are often
displayed at the reception.
BLOSSOMS AND ON
Originally, wedding crowns were made of orange blossoms, which
signify purity. (The blossoms on the crown matched the
traditional gown embroidered orange blossoms.) Roses,
evergreen leaves, myrtle leaves, wild thyme, semi-precious
stones, gold and crimson threads, and olive branches were
sometimes woven into the crowns.
Just as the dresses have changed, so have the crowns. Almost
anything goes. Couples can use crowns made of pearls,
porcelain, silk flowers, and imitation gold. The crowns are
often imported from Greece or are handmade in the United
States. Try calling your local Eastern Orthodox Church; they
usually have listings for local crownmakers. Discuss crowns
with your florist, perhaps they can create crowns for you
using flowers or vines.
CHOOSE YOUR CROWN
The koumbaros traditionally chose and bought the crowns for
the couple. "Not anymore," says Destina Koutavas, a
Pittsburgh crown retailer. "Brides want something that
will match their veil and match their dress. Although the best
man is responsible for the crowns, often brides will come in
to put in their two cents." After all, it is their
crowning moment.
"In the ceremony, your crowns are blessed by the priest.
They are a sacred symbol of your marriage," Destina
explains. "Couples will keep their crowns as a reminder
of their vows." The crowns also symbolize the couple's
day as king and queen and the newfound kingdom they rule.
--Donna Bozzo |
|
