Usscb Liturgest Suggests Groom And Bride Both Walk Down Aisle

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='tgoldson' post='1862755' date='May 9 2009, 11:38 AM']don't you exchange rings earlier?[/quote]
Yes, the exchange of rings is done at the betrothal ceremony, which can happen several months (or more) before the Crowning. In the Byzantine tradition the betrothal rings should be worn on the right hand.

[kafka]

I guess the our Eastern friend is hijacking another thread yet again



Still I guess I have to say I always thought the crowning ceremony of the Eastern Rite to be intriguing. What is the meaning behind it?

Maybe we should just start a new thread on this since it is off subject.

Edited May 9, 2009 by kafka

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='Apotheoun' post='1862750' date='May 9 2009, 01:34 PM']In the traditional Crowning ritual of the Byzantine Churches there are no vows.[/quote]

A couple years ago I went to an Eastern Catholic wedding that had wedding vows. The priest explained that they were being added as a legitimate custom.

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Resurrexi' post='1862789' date='May 9 2009, 12:07 PM']A couple years ago I went to an Eastern Catholic wedding that had wedding vows. The priest explained that they were being added as a legitimate custom.[/quote]
Vows are a Latinization, and they are being removed from the ritual of the Eastern Catholic Churches, so that our ritual matches that of the Orthodox. I went to a Crowning at a Melkite Catholic Church less than a year ago, and there were no vows.

[Brother Adam]

[quote name='kafka' post='1862786' date='May 9 2009, 03:04 PM']I guess the our Eastern friend is hijacking another thread yet again



Still I guess I have to say I always thought the crowning ceremony of the Eastern Rite to be intriguing. What is the meaning behind it?

Maybe we should just start a new thread on this since it is off subject.[/quote]

Yes, it does get very tiresome especially when it comes across as "our way is better".

[Resurrexi]

It was a Ukranian-Greek Catholic Church wedding. The sui iuris Church, which, if I'm not mistaken, you are in the process of leaving.

[Apotheoun]

I am leaving the Ruthenian Church. The Ukrainians are more conservative than the Ruthenians and are pushing -- like the Melkites -- the process of de-Latinization. To be fair to the Ruthenians they are de-Latinizing too, but at a slower pace. Sadly, the Ruthenians also have chosen to "novus ordorize" their liturgy.

[jeffpugh]

Explain the Eastern Wedding

[Adrestia]

[quote name='Apotheoun' post='1862795' date='May 9 2009, 01:11 PM']Vows are a Latinization, and they are being removed from the ritual of the Eastern Catholic Churches, so that our ritual matches that of the Orthodox. I went to a Crowning at a Melkite Catholic Church less than a year ago, and there were no vows.[/quote]
A close Greek Orthodox friend of mine married a Presbyterian girl. They had a Greek Orthodox ceremony (flower crowns, walking in circles while holding hands, Apo - wanna help here?). At the end of the ceremony the priest invited the bride's great uncle, a Presbyterian minister, up to officiate an American-style exchange of vows. The minister refused - saying that he did not want to alter their tradition in any way. They did the exchange of vows at the beginning of the reception. I really liked how respectful the Presbyterians were. They did agree to raise the kids Greek Ortho.

[princessgianna]

I heard that it was supposed to be the guy and girl walk into together because they as a couple are coming before God , vowing to each other so they walk/ processe in and process out together!

I love my daddy too so............................ .....I ll have to see!

[MissyP89]

Ooh, this is gonna be a difficult one for me. I really want my Dad with me if and when I get to walk down the aisle...

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='tgoldson' post='1862880' date='May 9 2009, 01:00 PM']A close Greek Orthodox friend of mine married a Presbyterian girl. They had a Greek Orthodox ceremony (flower crowns, walking in circles while holding hands, Apo - wanna help here?). At the end of the ceremony the priest invited the bride's great uncle, a Presbyterian minister, up to officiate an American-style exchange of vows. The minister refused - saying that he did not want to alter their tradition in any way. They did the exchange of vows at the beginning of the reception. I really liked how respectful the Presbyterians were. They did agree to raise the kids Greek Ortho.[/quote]
Throughout the Mystery of Crowning various texts from sacred scripture and prayers from the ritual itself are sung, and the priest will have the man and woman hold hands (right hands), and by this action is signified the union that is being made between the servant of God (the man) and the handmaid of the Lord (the woman) as they come together in order to form a new domestic Church. The scriptural texts and prayers throughout the rite highlight the importance of marriage by making constant reference to the Patriarchs and their wives, and many other holy men and women who were united in marriage in both the Old and New Testaments. Near the end of the rite of Crowning the priest, while holding a Bible, will lead the couple in a circle (three times) around the wedding table, which has been set in front of the iconostasis, and this threefold circle represents both the Holy Trinity and the eternal nature of marriage, for the circle has neither beginning nor end. The crowns themselves signify the Messianic Kingdom, which is made manifest in the newly formed family, while also standing for the crown of martyrdom to which all may be called in service to the Lord.

There are other symbolic meanings attached to aspects of the ritual and to the crowns, but the information above should suffice to give a basic understanding of the nature of the rite.

Edited May 9, 2009 by Apotheoun

[prose]

I didn't read this thread, so sorry if this is a repeat, but I just wanted to say that I have been involved with marriage prep for 7 years now, and it has always encouraged bride and groom to walk down the aisle together and even goes so far as to encourage them to greet their guests at the church door before the ceremony to welcome them to their ceremony.

I don't see why not. Seems to me that the ceremony is about the bride and groom anyways...

[Adrestia]

I had friends who insisted on being extraordinary ministers of H.C. at their wedding. The two priests offered the most holy body and the bride and groom offered the precious blood.

For them, the wedding was about offering their lives to each other for the service of God (and His church). They wanted their marriage to be a perfect sacrament, so they participated in offering the perfect sacrament to the community at their wedding.

Edited May 9, 2009 by tgoldson

[Resurrexi]

As to the original topic, I think it's silly to say that the Bride and Groom should process together, and it is certainly contrary to the spirit of the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite. In the extraordinary form, legitimate customs should be included in the marriage ceremony. This, in fact, is probably the best example of inculturation in the extraordinary form. To me, the traditional having the bride process with her father seems like a perfect example of a good local custom of marriage. There is no reason why perfectly good customs should be changed, especially in the extraordinary form, where the liturgical books recommend that customs should be retained.