MARRIAGE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The following details  the information necessary to consider in order to be joined in matrimony in the Greek Orthodox Church.

The sacrament of matrimony must be performed in accordance with the Orthodox Sacramentary Book (Εὐχολόγιον) and always in the Church. 

Marriages are NOT performed in Parks, Halls or any other place but the Church. 

A Civil Marriage License is mandatory before a Priest can conduct the Sacrament of Matrimony. In addition, an Ecclesiastical License from the Archdiocese is also mandatory. The Priest must fill out the Affidavit requesting permission to conduct the Sacrament at least two weeks before the date of the wedding. In the application the Priest must include the date of the scheduled wedding. Under no circumstances may the Priest conduct the Sacrament of Matrimony without the permission of the Archdiocese. 

If the couple has participated in a Civil Wedding, they must provide a copy of their Civil Marriage Certificate when applying for the Ecclesiastical Marriage. 

A mixed marriage is one between an Orthodox and a non-Orthodox Christian baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity. 

To conduct such a mixed marriage, the non-Orthodox must present a Baptismal Certificate. 

According to the Department of Registry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, the following Mixed Marriages ARE PROHIBITED in the Greek Orthodox Church:  

GREEK ORTHODOX AND

• SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST    
• ASSEMBLY OF GOD   
• JEHOVAH’S WITNESS   
• SWEDEN BORGIAN    
•  UNITARIAL    
• MENNONITE    
• MORMON (LATTER DAY SAINTS)     
• SALVATION ARMY    
• QUAKERS  SPIRITUALIST   
• JEWISH     
• MOSLEM    
•  NON-CHRISTIAN    
• CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST   
•  BUDDHIST    
•  HINDUIST   
• MEMBERS OF ANY FAR EASTERN RELIGION 

Please note that the above list is not exhaustive!  

In any of the above cases the non-Orthodox person must be first Catechized and then Baptized in the Orthodox Church for the Sacrament of Matrimony to take place. Also note that in the above cases Catechism may take several months, depending on the disposition of each Catechumen. 

If an Orthodox Christian has had a previous marriage in a non-Orthodox Church (with a non-Orthodox person) or a Civil Ceremony and has been divorced or widowed, he/she must present a Civil Divorce Decree or a Death Certificate. 

A divorced person, before entering a second or a third Ecclesiastical Wedding, must have received Ecclesiastical Divorce if the previous marriage took place in the Orthodox Church. 

The best man or woman (sponsor) must be an Orthodox Christian and in good standing ecclesiastically and up to date with his/her obligations towards the Community. If he/she is married, he/she must have been married in the Orthodox Church.

Weddings ARE NOT CONDUCTED on the following days: 

• September 14 (fasting day and the Exaltation of the Holy Cross) 
• December 13 through 25 (Advent-Fasting period for Nativity)
• January 5 and 6 (Fasting day and Epiphany)
• During Great Lent, Holy Week and on the day of Pascha (Orthodox Easter) 
• August 1 through 15 (Fasting period for the Dormition of the Most-Holy Virgin) 
• August 29 (Fasting day for the beheading of st. John the Baptist) 
• On the day of any of the other Major Feast Days. These are the following: 
  • February 2, the Presentation of our Lord 
  • Ascension of our Lord 
  • Pentecost 
• Weddings will also not be conducted on the first Sunday after October 28 due to the Doxology and the Festivities for the Greek OXI-Day 1940. 

 See “What you need to know” before anything else!  

Think of a date for booking and call the Priest to make an appointment. Or fill in our web form to apply for a booking. Either way, you will have to speak with the Priest for the details.

The Priest will ask you to come with the Sponsor(s) and see him. Make sure you and the Sponsor(s) have your BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATES with you. This document serves as proof that both you and the Sponsor are Baptized in the Orthodox Church. In case of a mixed marriage (one Orthodox, one non-Orthodox) the other part has to provide with their Baptismal Certificate too. If either you or the Sponsor do not provide the Baptismal Certificate during the meeting, the Priest will not book a date for the Sacrament. If you or the Sponsor have been baptized in our Parish, you don’t need to bring the Certificate. The Priest will check the corresponding entry in the Registry Book.  

Arrange for a Wedding Rehearsal. Upon your meeting with the Priest, he will provide all of you with the details of the Sacrament. Sponsors and newlyweds have an active role during the Sacrament of Matrimony; it is therefore wise and practical that you arrange a rehearsal before the Sacrament so that everyone knows where to stand, what to do, how to move etc. 

Prepare for the Sacrament. Ensure you have everything for the day of the Sacrament: Rings, Stephana, lambades, a bottle of red wine etc. The Priest will provide you with the same details upon your meeting and during the rehearsal. 

The day of the Sacrament. If you did the rehearsal, then you know what to do and where to stand. The Priest will guide you through the Sacrament when necessary. Approach with befitting piety and respect for the Sacrament and pray as your new life begins with the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

After the Sacrament. Having become one in the presence of God and the Church, you are now a family of your own. Whatever you do you do it as a family weather it is inside the Church or at home or in the outside world. The Priest will be your spiritual guide whenever you need to consult him. Do not hesitate to ask for his advice, as through marriage you have become his spiritual children.