Weddings

In the sacrament of marriage, God bestows His blessing upon a man and a woman, enabling them to unite their lives, become 'one flesh,' and embark on the journey of building a family together. Through the sanctification of their relationship in the Church, the couple is not only bound to each other but is bound to each other in Christ. 

During the marriage ceremony, the couple is adorned with crowns, symbolizing primarily the crowns of martyrdom. As Jesus proclaimed, there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for another (John 15:13), a sacrificial act that Christ exemplified on the Cross. Hence, the ceremony includes the reading of these words: 'Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it' (Ephesians 5:25). The crowns serve as a powerful symbol, signifying that husband and wife must be willing to lay down their lives for each other in selfless love. They are called to cease living solely for themselves and instead embrace a life of mutual dedication to their spouse.

Furthermore, the ritual involves shared drinking from a common cup, symbolizing their commitment to jointly experience all the joys and challenges that life may bring from that moment forward. This act underscores the concept that they will now share their lives intimately and completely.

Who Can Marry in an Orthodox Church?

To be married within the Church, it is imperative to be a practicing Orthodox Christian in good standing. Marriage in the Orthodox tradition is not merely a blessing for two individuals to coexist but a sacred path towards salvation and represents the union of two humans embarking on a journey to draw closer to God. Hence to be married in the Church both individuals must be Orthodox Christians as marriages between Orthodox Christians and members of other religions (or those of no faith) cannot be celebrated. However, as an act of oikonomía (pastoral exception), the church allows mixed marriages between Orthodox Christians and other Christians belonging to mainstream Trinitarian denominations (e.g., Roman Catholics or Anglicans) on the condition that any children born from the marriage are baptised and raised in the Orthodox Church.

How can I book a Wedding?

1. Reserve the date with our church by sending an email to apostolos.andreas.windsor2@gmail.com

    Important: If you are booking a venue, please check availability of the venue first before booking the church.

2. The chosen date will be entered as a provisional date in the church diary and will be held for 21 days.

3. To confirm your date, you will need to complete our wedding booking forms which will be sent to you and pay the deposit..

Upon securing a date, the couple will be required to visit the church and complete an application form. This form must be signed by the couple, two witnesses, and the priest, and will subsequently be submitted to the Archdiocese for approval. To accompany the application, a certificate of non-impediment from both the future bride and groom is necessary, affirming that neither party has previously been married in the Orthodox Church. Typically, these certificates can be obtained from the church where the individuals were baptized. It's essential to note that these certificates of non-impediment remain valid for a period of three months.

Please be aware that the Archdiocese imposes an administrative fee of £60 for processing the application form and an additional £20 for each certificate of non-impediment. Once the processing is complete, the Archdiocese will issue a marriage certificate, which will be filled out on the wedding day.

Church Documents Required

If the Bride or Groom is an Orthodox Christian, they must obtain a Certificate of no Impediment from the church at which they were baptised. If either the Bride or Groom is not Orthodox Christian, they must be Christian baptised in water in the name of The Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and provide a Baptism Certificate.

To obtain a certificate of no Impediment , please go to the church you were baptised between 4 to 6 months before your wedding to get your Certificates of No Impediment. Generally, you will need to make an appointment for this so please do not just turn up and expect to be seen. There may be a fee payable to the church issuing the Certificate.

Note: Certificates of No Impediment are only valid for 3 months.

Meeting with Priest and Delivery of Documents

The no Impediment certificates(s), Baptism certificate(s), Divorce paper(s) and passports must be brought to the church office at least 3 months before the wedding day. Please make an appointment for a meeting with a member of the Church Committee. At this meeting, other than the Bride and Groom, the Witnesses must also attend. Both the Witnesses must be Orthodox Christians.

What do I need on my Wedding day?

1. Rings for the Bride and Groom

2. Stefana (crowns)

3. Two large white bridal candles

4. Thirty three (33) coloured almond sweets in a small bowl (optional)

5. Silver tray

6. 2 x 5m ribbons

7. Wine glass/cup for wine

8. One bottle of Saint John Commandaria or Nama (sweet red wine)

What days can weddings not take place?

Weddings may not take place on the following days:

  1. Wednesdays and Fridays

  2. September 14 and August 29

  3. November 15 – December 25

  4. January 5–6

  5. Great Lent and Holy Week

  6. The eve and day of great feasts (e.g., Pentecost).

  7. Monday after Sunday of All Saints – June 29

  8. August 1–15

Important Notes

1. Wedding times must be adhered to. We do understand that sometimes a few minutes delay is unavoidable. However, couples arriving very late must realise that this may impact on other services at the church. The church cannot accept any responsibility for the consequences of such a delay.

2. Orthodox chanting is part of the wedding service. No other singing or playing of music is allowed.

3. Due to a Health and Safety Audit we have been advised that no confetti and/or rice are allowed to be thrown inside the church. For everybody’s safety, please make sure that this is done outside the church once the couple have exited the main doors of the church. Please use biodegradable confetti due to other kinds blocking drains and causing many problems.

4. For any help or additional information please do not hesitate to contact us.