HOLY MARRIAGE
To be in proper canonical and spiritual standing, an Orthodox Christian must be married in the Orthodox Church. Note the following information and requirements before a wedding is performed:
1. All couples preparing to marry at Holy Trinity are required to attend 4-5 premarital sessions with one of the priests. This is offered as a forum to address various aspects and challenges of Orthodox Christian marriage and family life. The priest will assist the couple during one of the sessions to complete the necessary ecclesiastical forms for the application of the marriage license, as well as direct them on how to obtain their civil marriage license. No wedding invitations should be printed until the date of the wedding has been cleared with the priest and the parish office.
2. If the bride and/or groom have come from Greece after their 18th birthday, when applying for a church license, must present a Certificate of Eligibility for Marriage from the Bishop of their own town or province in Greece.
3. The following are necessary for the ceremony:
- Rings for the bride and groom
- Stefana (crowns)
- Two candles
- Civil marriage license.
4. Marriages are not performed on the following days:
- Epiphany, Easter Sunday, and during Great Lent
- August 1-15
- August 29 (Beheading of St. John the Forerunner)
- September 14 (Elevation of the Holy Cross)
- December 13-25 (including Christmas Day).
5. The Best Man (Koumbaros/Koumbara):
- Must be an Orthodox Christian
- Must be a pledging member of the church
- If from another community, prior to the wedding he/she must present a letter from his/her parish stating that he/she is a member in good standing
- If married, his or her marriage must have been blessed in the Orthodox Church.
6. Divorced persons wanting to remarry:
- If the previous marriage was the result of a civil service, a civil divorce paper must be presented
- If the previous marriage was blessed in the Orthodox Church, that marriage has to be officially dissolved by an Orthodox Church Court
- The original document attesting to a Church Divorce must be presented at the time of application for a church marriage license.