Orthodox and Eastern Christian wedding traditions
In the Orthodox and Eastern Christian churches, the wedding is a mystery, or sacrament, in which the couple are crowned.
In the Orthodox and Eastern Christian churches, the wedding is a mystery, or sacrament, in which the couple are crowned. The service has two parts, the betrothal and the crowning, and is sung rather than read. It is among the oldest wedding services in Christianity.
Crowning, stefana and the common cup
The priest places crowns, stefana in Greek, on the heads of the couple, who are joined by a ribbon in the Greek tradition. In Slavic churches the crowns are held over their heads by the groomsmen. The couple drink from a common cup of wine, and they are led three times around the table in the dance of Isaiah. The koumbaros exchanges the crowns three times and holds a central place. Rings are exchanged at the betrothal.
Variation
Greek weddings have the koumbaros and the sugar-almond koufeta. In Russia and Ukraine the rushnyk, an embroidered cloth, is stood upon. Georgian weddings crown the couple with wreaths, and Armenian weddings have the crossing of heads and the crowning with a wreath. Coptic and Ethiopian Orthodox traditions have their own rites, with a long Ethiopian service and a procession.
Remarriage and fasts
Orthodox weddings are not held in Lent or other fast periods. A second marriage uses a penitential service. Mixed marriages with other Christians are often allowed by a bishop, and with non-Christians more rarely. Local practices differ among the churches.
Written by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Background on Orthodox and Eastern Christian (faith). Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
🇺🇦 UkraineTraditional Ukrainian weddingТрадиційне українське весілля
A multi-day sequence of folk rites, bread baking and church vows that marks the transition from maidenhood to married liRite · Finding a match
🇷🇺 RussiaRussian wedding traditionsРусская свадьба
A multi-day celebration blending Orthodox crowning, ransom games, and lively toasting in Russia.Rite · Engagement and betrothal
🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 2 moreWhite wedding
A formal Western ceremony marked by a white bridal gown and traditional Christian rituals.Attire · Engagement and betrothal
🇺🇸 United States and 3 moreWedding vow renewal ceremony
A service where a married couple repeats their marriage promises to reaffirm their commitment.Vow · After the wedding
🇵🇱 Poland and 6 moreKolachколач (kolach), калач (kalach), kołacz, colac, kalács
A braided or ring-shaped bread that marks weddings and major holidays across Eastern Europe.Feast custom · Engagement and betrothal
🇪🇬 Egypt and 5 moreArab weddingزفاف or فرح or عرس
A series of family-centered rites and processions that mark marriage across the Arab world.Rite · Finding a match
🇷🇺 Russia and 5 moreBread and salt
A traditional welcome offering of bread and salt to guests or newlyweds in Slavic, Baltic, and Balkan cultures.Feast custom · The weeks before
🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreWedding superstitions
Traditional beliefs about luck and omens that shape wedding rituals across culturesAttire · The weeks before
🇮🇸 IcelandIcelandic weddings
A blend of church ceremony and multi-day feasting that marks the union of two people in Iceland.Feast custom · The ceremony
🇷🇺 RussiaLoving cup
A large shared drinking vessel with two handles used in Christian rites and weddingsFeast custom · The wedding feast
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Korovai: Olli Niemitalo, CC0, source
- Interfaith marriage in Christianity: Andreas Praefcke, CC BY 3.0, source
- Traditional Ukrainian wedding: Пимоненко, Николай Корнильевич, Public domain, source
- Russian wedding traditions: GeorgeLouis, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Kolach: Лобачев Владимир, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Arab wedding: 13th century artist, Public domain, source
- Wedding superstitions: Anonymous Unknown author, Public domain, source
- Loving cup: Rhodian at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, source