What does it mean to be engaged: traditions and rules of engagement. Betrothal - how the wedding ceremony takes place in the Orthodox Church

Inga Mayakovskaya

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A wedding is an important event in the life of every Christian family. It is rare when couples get married on their wedding day (in order to immediately “kill two birds with one stone”) - in most cases, couples still approach this issue thoughtfully, realizing the importance of this rite and experiencing a sincere and mutual desire to become a full-fledged family, according to church canons .

How does this ritual take place, and what do you need to know about it?

How to prepare for the sacrament of wedding correctly?

A wedding is not a wedding where they walk for 3 days, fall on their faces in a salad and hit each other with their faces according to tradition. A wedding is a sacrament through which a couple receives a blessing from the Lord to live their whole lives together in sorrow and joy, to be faithful to each other “until the grave”, to give birth and raise children.

Without a wedding, a marriage is considered “incomplete” by the Church. And, of course, it must be appropriate. And we are not talking about organizational issues that are resolved in 1 day, but about spiritual preparation.

A couple who takes their wedding seriously will definitely take into account those requirements that some newlyweds forget about in pursuit of fashionable wedding photos. But spiritual preparation is an important part of a wedding, as the beginning of a new life for a couple - with a clean (in every sense) slate.

Preparation includes a 3-day fast, during which you need to prepare for the ceremony prayerfully, and also abstain from intimate relationships, animal food, bad thoughts, etc. In the morning before the wedding, the husband and wife confess and receive communion together.

Video: Wedding. Step-by-step instruction

Betrothal - how is the wedding ceremony carried out in the Orthodox Church?

Betrothal is a kind of “introductory” part of the sacrament that precedes the wedding. It symbolizes the consummation of a church marriage in the face of the Lord and the consolidation of the mutual promises of a man and a woman.

1. It’s not for nothing that betrothal takes place immediately after the Divine Liturgy – the couple is shown the importance of the sacrament of marriage and the spiritual trepidation with which they should enter into marriage.
2. Betrothal in the temple symbolizes the husband's acceptance of his wife from the Lord himself : the priest brings the couple into the temple, and from that moment their life together, new and pure, begins in the face of God.
3. The beginning of the ritual is censing : the priest blesses the husband and wife 3 times in turn with the words “In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” In response to the blessing, everyone makes the sign of the cross (approx. - crosses themselves), after which the priest hands them the already lit candles. This is a symbol of love, fiery and pure, which a husband and wife should now have for each other. In addition, candles are a symbol of the chastity of men and women, as well as God's grace.
4. Cross censing symbolizes the presence of the grace of the Holy Spirit next to the couple.
5. Next comes a prayer for the betrothed and for their salvation (souls) , about the blessing for the birth of children, about the fulfillment of those requests of the couple to God that relate to their salvation, about the blessing of the couple for every good deed. After which, everyone present, including the husband and wife, should bow their heads before God in anticipation of the blessing while the priest reads a prayer.
6. After the prayer to Jesus Christ comes the betrothal : the priest puts a ring on the groom, “betrothing the servant of God...” and making the sign of the cross 3 times. Next, he puts a ring on the bride, “betrothing the servant of God...” and making the sign of the cross three times. It is important to note that the rings (which the groom must give!) symbolize an eternal and indissoluble union at the wedding. The rings lie, until they are put on, on the right side of the holy throne, which symbolizes the power of consecration in the face of the Lord and his blessing.
7. Now the bride and groom must exchange rings three times (note - in the word of the Most Holy Trinity): the groom puts his ring on the bride as a symbol of his love and willingness to help his wife until the end of his days. The bride puts her ring on the groom as a symbol of her love and readiness to accept his help until the end of her days.
8. Next is the priest’s prayer for the Lord’s blessing and betrothal of this couple , and sending them a Guardian Angel to guide them in their new and pure Christian life. The betrothal ceremony ends here.

Video: Russian wedding in the Orthodox Church. Wedding ceremony

The sacrament of a wedding - how does the ceremony take place?

The second part of the sacrament of marriage begins with the bride and groom entering the middle of the temple with candles in their hands, as if carrying the spiritual light of the sacrament. In front of them is a priest with a censer, which symbolizes the importance of following the path of the commandments and offering up their good deeds as incense to the Lord.

The choir welcomes the couple by singing Psalm 127.

• Next, the couple stands on a white towel spread out in front of the lectern. : both, in the face of God and the Church, confirm their free will, as well as the absence in their past (note - on each side!) of promises to marry another person. The priest asks these traditional questions to the bride and groom in turn.
• Confirmation of a voluntary and inviolable desire to marry secures a natural marriage , who is now considered a prisoner. Only after this does the sacrament of marriage begin.
• The wedding ceremony begins with the couple’s declaration of participation in the Kingdom of God and three lengthy prayers – to Jesus Christ and to the Triune God. After which the priest signs (in turn) the bride and groom with a crown in the shape of a cross, “crowning the servant of God...”, and then “crowning the servant of God...”. The groom must kiss the image of the Savior on his crown, the bride must kiss the image of the Mother of God that adorns her crown.
• Now the most important moment of the wedding begins for the bride and groom wearing crowns. , when with the words “Lord our God, crown them with glory and honor!” the priest, as a link between people and God, blesses the couple three times, reading a prayer three times.
• Blessing of marriage by the Church symbolizes the eternity of the new Christian union, its indissolubility.
• Afterwards there is a reading of the Epistle to the Ephesians by St. apostle paul , and then the Gospel of John about the blessing and sanctification of the marriage union. Then the priest pronounces a petition for the newlyweds and a prayer for peace in the new family, honesty of marriage, integrity of cohabitation and life together according to the commandments until old age.
• After “And grant us, O Master...” everyone reads the prayer “Our Father.” (it should be learned in advance if you did not know it by heart before preparing for the wedding). This prayer on the lips of a married couple symbolizes the determination to do the will of the Lord on earth through their family, to be devoted and submissive to the Lord. As a sign of this, the husband and wife bow their heads under their crowns.
• They bring the “cup of fellowship” with the Cahors , and the priest blesses it and serves it as a sign of joy, offering to drink wine three times, first to the head of the new family, and then to his wife. They drink wine in 3 tiny sips as a sign of their inseparable existence from now on.
• Now the priest must join the right hands of the newlyweds and cover them with stole (note - a long ribbon on the priest’s neck) and place your palm on top, as a symbol of the husband receiving his wife from the Church itself, which in Christ united these two forever.
• The couple is traditionally led around the lectern three times : on the first circle they sing “Isaiah, rejoice...”, on the second - the troparion “Holy Martyr”, and on the third Christ is glorified. This walk symbolizes the eternal procession that begins from this day for the couple - hand in hand, with a common cross (the hardships of life) for two.
• Crowns are removed from spouses , and the priest welcomes the new Christian family with solemn words. Then he reads two prayers of petition, during which the husband and wife bow their heads, and after finishing they seal pure mutual love with a chaste kiss.
• Now, according to tradition, married spouses are led to the royal doors : here the head of the family must kiss the icon of the Savior, and his wife - the image of the Mother of God, after which they change places and again kiss the Images (only in reverse). Here they kiss the cross, which the priest offers, and receive from the minister of the Church 2 icons, which can now be kept as a family heirloom and the main amulets of the family, and passed on to future generations.

After the wedding, candles are kept in the icon case at home. And after the death of the last spouse, these candles (according to the old Russian custom) are placed in the coffin, both of them.

The task of witnesses at a wedding ceremony in a church - what do guarantors do?

Witnesses must be believers and baptized - a friend of the groom and a friend of the bride, who after the wedding will become the spiritual mentors of this couple and their prayer guardians.

The task of witnesses:

1. Hold the crowns over the heads of those getting married.
2. Give them wedding rings.
3. Lay a towel in front of the lectern.

However, if witnesses do not know their duties, this is not a problem. The priest will tell the guarantors about them, preferably in advance, so that there are no “overlaps” during the wedding.

It is important to remember that a church marriage cannot be dissolved - the Church does not give divorces. The exception is the death of a spouse or his loss of mind.

And finally - a few words about the wedding meal

A wedding, as stated above, is not a wedding. And the Church warns against possible indecent and irreverent behavior of all those present at the wedding after the sacrament.

Decent Christians dine modestly after a wedding, and do not dance in restaurants. Moreover, at the modest wedding feast there should not be any indecency or intemperance.

Engagement is an important part of wedding traditions. This is a wonderful and unforgettable event in the life of a couple who decides to tie the knot.

What is engagement

The word “engagement” comes from the verb “engage,” which means “to agree, come to an agreement.” Previously, betrothal was also called a handshake or an agreement.

An engagement is the official announcement of a couple in love about their decision to get married. After the engagement is concluded, the boy becomes the groom, and the girl becomes the bride.

The time between engagement and wedding is necessary so that young people can test the strength of their feelings for each other and make sure that they are doing the right thing. In addition, during this period all organizational issues regarding the wedding are usually resolved.

Betrothal and Engagement: What's the Difference?

The concepts of “betrothal” and “engagement” are often confused. But it's not the same thing.

Betrothal is a religious ceremony that takes place in a church in the presence of clergy. During the engagement ceremony, young people exchange rings.

Engagement is not a religious event. It can take place at home or in a restaurant.

How to organize an engagement party

There are no strict rules governing how an engagement should be arranged. The lovers decide how to celebrate this event, depending on their preferences.

However, it will be better if the bride and groom get to know each other's parents before the engagement. This will allow you to find a common language with future relatives and establish good relationships with them.

When meeting parents, it is important to make a positive impression. You need to agree in advance on the time and place of the meeting. It’s good if the young man doesn’t come empty-handed.

You can give flowers to your future mother-in-law, and a bottle of quality cognac to your father-in-law. It would be a good idea to consult with the bride about gifts: she should know exactly what her parents will like.

You shouldn't arrange an engagement so that it is a surprise for your parents.

Nowadays, not all couples consider it necessary to obtain parental approval before getting engaged. Nevertheless, it is considered good form for the groom to visit the bride’s house, during which he asks for his beloved’s hand in marriage from her parents.

Some young people ask for parental blessings. In Orthodoxy, this tradition is given special significance. In non-religious families, parents may simply say a few parting words.

What is needed for this

An important element of the engagement is the ring that a man gives to his beloved. This issue should be taken seriously.

Regarding the size and appearance of the ring, you can consult with your mother, sister or friend of the bride.

If a girl accepts the ring, it means that she agrees to get married. In case of termination of the engagement, the girl must return the ring to the groom.

The bride can also present a gift to her chosen one.

While an engagement doesn't necessarily have to be a lavish celebration, it is still an important day in every couple's life, so it's worth celebrating as such. You can have a fun party with many guests or celebrate with a small company of relatives and closest friends.

A few things to keep in mind:

• you need to decide in advance where and when the holiday will take place, draw up a list of guests, think over the menu;
• invitations must be sent out to guests in advance;
• you should not invite guests whom you do not intend to invite to the wedding - this is bad form;
• you need to think about the issue of photo and video shooting, because the couple will probably want to capture this day;
• The engagement is often timed to coincide with the day the application is submitted to the registry office, but this is not necessary.

Traditional ritual

Previously, wedding traditions were much more complex. To get married, you had to go through several stages.

First, the girl was matched. The young man's parents visited the house of the potential bride's parents and discussed the possibility of marrying their children. If they came to an agreement, then the issue of dowry was discussed. Often, the desires of young people regarding future marriage were not taken into account. Everything was decided at the discretion of the parents.

After matchmaking, the guy and the girl were conventionally considered the bride and groom.

During this stage, it was still possible to terminate the wedding agreement. However, the party who wanted to suspend preparations for the wedding had to provide compelling reasons for such a decision in order to avoid shame.

The next step was hand cuffing. The parents agreed on the details of the engagement and discussed financial issues. The newlyweds organized a celebration at which they confirmed their status as bride and groom among their peers.

The final stage was engagement. This ceremony took place in a church in the presence of a priest and the couple's parents.

The newlyweds were supposed to exchange rings. First, the bride was given a silver one, and the groom was given a gold one. Then the rings were exchanged three times. As a result, the bride put a gold ring on her finger, and the groom kept a silver one.

The material of the rings did not differ by chance. Gold symbolized the reliability of the girl’s chosen one, silver symbolized the soft and submissive character of the bride. Nowadays, this custom is not observed, and those getting married exchange rings made of the same metal.

After the engagement, marriage was considered inevitable, because the young people announced their decision to become husband and wife before God.

Marriage did not immediately follow engagement. Usually the wedding date was set six months after the ceremony. This period served so that future spouses could prepare themselves spiritually for the most important event in their lives. Sometimes the period between these two rites was due to more practical reasons, for example, the groom's departure for military service.

Modern options

There are a lot of options for how to conduct an engagement party. Here are some of them.

A modest holiday

You can celebrate your engagement in a close family circle. This option is good because it allows you to communicate with your closest people in a cozy home atmosphere.

Such an event will not require large expenses and will provide an opportunity to have a more lavish wedding or go on a honeymoon.

Outdoors

A fun way to celebrate your engagement is to have a picnic. In nature, you can play fun outdoor games - this way you don’t have to worry about anyone getting bored. In addition, an outdoor holiday will not require too much preparation. You just need to take care of the treats and come up with a few competitions.

Theme party

This option will most likely turn out to be quite expensive, since a themed party requires special costumes and special interior design. But if the financial issue does not bother the lovers, then all that remains is to decide on the theme of the celebration. Here ideas can be very different. Cowboys, pirates, the Middle Ages, Ancient Rus'... It all depends on the imagination and preferences of the future spouses.

European style

There are no strict rules in organizing such an engagement. It can be a chic social reception, a light buffet, or a modest home celebration.

Party invitations need to be sent out in advance. According to European traditions, guests give small gifts to the couple. It is also a Western custom to send thank-you cards to guests after the holiday.

Romantic evening

It is equally wonderful to celebrate this occasion by spending it alone with your significant other. You can have a romantic dinner at home or in a restaurant. You can walk along the beach or fly in a hot air balloon. There are a lot of options. The main thing is to choose something that will allow you to enjoy this day and remember it for a long time.

Betrothal ceremony

During the engagement, the bride and groom exchange rings, so it is important to take care of the rings in advance.

If a couple wants to get engaged in a church, then they must first select the temple where the ceremony will be held. It is also necessary to talk with the priest, discuss with him all the details of the upcoming event. Sometimes the priest gives young people advice - then it’s worth listening to them.

In addition, nowadays, betrothal in church quite often takes place immediately before the wedding. You should take this into account and prepare everything necessary for both ceremonies.

It is impossible to get married if the newlyweds have not officially registered their marriage in the registry office.

Church engagement

Church betrothal indicates the readiness of young people to enter into marriage and bear responsibility for it before God. Therefore, for believers this ritual is of great importance.

The betrothal ceremony in the Orthodox Church is as follows:

1. After the end of the liturgy, the betrothed are in the vestibule of the church, facing the altar. The newlyweds stand separately: the bride is on the right, the groom is on the left.
2. The priest exits through the Royal Doors of the iconostasis, carrying the Cross and the Gospel in his hands, which are then placed on the lectern.
3. The priest approaches the future spouses, blesses them, hands them two lighted candles and leads them inside the church.
4. After this, incense and prayers begin.
5. The priest then takes the rings from the deacon and places them on the betrothed couple's fingers.
6. The bride and groom exchange them three times.

This concludes the betrothal ceremony, followed by the wedding.

Social event

Betrothal is not a mandatory ceremony. People for whom religion is not very important do not need to get engaged. Alternatively, they can organize an engagement party.

Wedding rings

Wedding rings are more than just a wedding accessory. They are a symbol of the love of spouses and personify their family happiness.

How to choose

The bride and groom exchange wedding rings at the registry office. Traditionally they are smooth, made of a single metal, usually gold. But today, couples often choose rings that are made of several types of metal or decorated with precious stones. So it all depends on the taste and financial capabilities of the lovers.

Usually the groom buys the wedding rings, but it is better to choose them together. Since this jewelry is worn throughout your life, it is important to take your choice seriously. The rings must be the correct size. The width of the finger varies slightly depending on the time of year, physical activity and other factors. It's a good idea to try on your wedding ring a few times to make sure it really fits.

An engagement ring is different from one given for an engagement.

The classic engagement ring is gold and diamond. Of course, the ring may look different. The only requirement is the presence of a precious or semi-precious stone.

Traditions and rituals of different countries

Each country has its own peculiarities related to engagement.

For example, in Germany, after an engagement, young people could start living together without waiting for marriage.

In Italy, after an engagement, a young man had the right to visit his future wife and talk with her under the supervision of his parents.

In Japan, during an engagement, the bride and groom met each other for the first time.

There is an interesting tradition in Ireland: a girl can propose to her lover on February 29, and he has no right to refuse her.

How long does the engagement last?

Many people wonder how long after the engagement the wedding should take place. There are no hard and fast rules on this matter. On average, between these two events passes from a month to six months. During this period, lovers will have time to experience their feelings and prepare everything necessary for the wedding celebration.

Video

This video talks about the features of the engagement ceremony.

In the modern world, many traditions that were carefully preserved for centuries and strictly observed by our ancestors have changed somewhat. Today, young people living in the age of computer technology development pay less and less attention to rituals, which are an integral part of consolidating the union of two loving hearts.

But in vain. After all, registration at the registry office and a noisy wedding party in a restaurant are only part of the celebration. At the same time, such sacraments as engagement and wedding fade into the background. Perhaps the problem is not only that the progressive bride and groom fundamentally do not want to follow old traditions. There is a high probability that future newlyweds simply do not fully understand the amazing beauty and mystery of each ritual.

Engagement: a symbol of a mutual decision to marry

An engagement is a ceremony that symbolizes the mutual decision of a lady and a young man to become husband and wife. Previously, this event was equal in significance to a wedding. It was believed that if a guy and a girl are engaged, then they can no longer break off the relationship and are obliged to hold a wedding ceremony after some time.

Today, the significance of the engagement has, of course, somewhat diminished. In a modern interpretation, this ritual is nothing more than an evening in a quiet family circle among the couple’s friends and parents, during which the man gives his beloved an engagement ring in front of everyone.

Future newlyweds inform their loved ones about their intentions to get married, discuss the upcoming wedding concept and the date of the event. Modern brides and grooms often have questions about what their engagement rings should be like. In principle, it depends on the preferences of the young, but it is desirable that the products be gold.

Of course, the best option is diamond engagement rings. Such a gift to the future wife is a symbol of the seriousness of the man’s intentions, his generosity and love.

Wedding: a ritual of uniting two hearts

A wedding is a rite of direct marriage of loving hearts. Previously, this holiday required a mandatory wedding in a church, without which the union was considered invalid. Today, a wedding celebration only includes registration of the newlyweds in one of the city registry offices and a banquet in an entertainment establishment. Some couples include a church wedding in their holiday program, but this ceremony is not considered mandatory.

At the formal registration, the other halves take turns putting on each other's wedding rings, drinking a glass of champagne and dancing their first dance as husband and wife.

Moreover, the rings can be absolutely anything: currently there are no frameworks or rules regarding the design of these jewelry symbolizing marriage. Banal, smooth, fairly standard rings are a thing of the past: modern newlyweds increasingly want to show their imagination and purchase the most original wedding rings that will distinguish their couple from most others. They can have an unusual shape, be made of various metals and their combinations, and inlaid with all kinds of precious stones. Luxurious wedding rings with diamonds, sapphires or emeralds are a symbol of a strong union, a serious attitude towards their marriage and the bright individuality of the spouses.

Wedding: a match made in heaven

The wedding has significant differences from the standard civil registration ceremony at the registry office. This sacrament is a full-fledged church rite. For newlyweds, it is considered a confirmation of the seriousness of feelings and intentions towards each other, the readiness to bear responsibility, protect and remain faithful to their other half. If the spouses got married, then according to church traditions they entered into their union before God. Therefore, only baptized people are allowed to participate in such a ceremony, and after it has been performed, spouses do not have the right to divorce.

The wedding ceremony involves the fulfillment of certain rules. They apply to the religion of the husband and wife, the wife's dress and wedding rings. If you decide to get married in an Orthodox church, then you must adhere to this particular faith. The wedding dress should be modest, unpretentious, calm, discreet colors and fairly closed. As for jewelry symbolizing the completion of the ceremony, wedding rings should be gold.

The modern world dictates its own conditions. Today, other halves are absolutely free and can independently decide whether to observe the age-old customs of the marriage ceremony. However, one rule remains the same even after hundreds of years: the choice of a ring for a celebration must be taken very seriously. Its quality and design are some indicators of the seriousness of the couple, the nature of their relationship and a symbol of love.

That is why the optimal solution would be to individually order products from our company, in which experienced specialists will produce unique jewelry according to an exclusive sketch. Custom engagement, wedding and wedding rings are an opportunity to express the bright individuality of the newlyweds and perpetuate their love in original products!

How does engagement happen?

At the end of the liturgy, the bride and groom stand in the vestibule of the church facing the altar: the groom on the right, the bride on the left. The priest in full vestments leaves the altar through the royal doors, holding the Cross and the Gospel in his hands. A candle is brought out in front of the priest. He places the cross and the Gospel on the lectern standing in the middle of the temple.

During the liturgy, the rings with which the couple will be engaged are located on the right side of the holy throne close to each other: on the left - gold, on the right - silver. The deacon, following the priest, carries them out on a special tray. The priest, approaching the newlyweds with two lit candles, blesses them three times with a priestly blessing and hands them the candles.

Light is a sign of joy, fire gives warmth, therefore lit candles mean the joy of meeting two loving people. At the same time, this is a symbol of their purity and chastity. They also remind us that a person’s life is not closed, it takes place in the company of people, and everything that happens to a person, light and darkness, heat or cold, resonates in the souls of the people around him. If discord and selfishness are defeated, if these two exude the light of love, then, leaving the temple, they will no longer be two, but one being.

Candles are not given if both newlyweds are getting married for the second or third time, recalling the Gospel parable, which says that virgins went out to meet the Bridegroom with lighted lamps (Matthew 25:1). The candles are supposed to burn throughout the entire celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage, so they must be of a fairly large size.

The priest leads the bride and groom inside the temple where the betrothal will take place. The ritual begins with incense and prayer before the wedding couple. After this, the Church’s prayers for the newlyweds begin. Following the usual beginning, “Blessed is our God...”, the Great Litany is pronounced, which contains petitions for the salvation of the couple; about giving them children to continue the family line; about sending them perfect, peaceful love and help; about preserving them in unanimity and firm faith; about blessing them into an immaculate life: “For the Lord God will grant them an honest marriage and an undefiled bed, let us pray to the Lord...”

Then two short prayers are read, in which praise is given to God, who unites the divided and established unions of love, and a blessing is asked for the newly brided. The Bride is likened from time immemorial to the pure Virgin who was pre-betrothed - the Church of Christ.

The priest, first taking the gold ring, says three times: “The servant of God (name) is betrothed to the servant of God (name).”

Each time he pronounces these words, he makes the sign of the cross over the groom’s head and puts a ring on the fourth (nameless) finger of his right hand. Then he takes a silver ring and says, marking the bride’s head with a cross, three times: “The servant of God (name) is betrothed to the servant of God (name,” and puts the ring also on the fourth finger of her right hand.

The golden ring symbolizes with its brilliance the sun, to the light of which the husband in a marriage is likened; silver - a semblance of the moon, a smaller luminary, shining with reflected sunlight. The ring is a sign of the eternity and continuity of the marriage union, for the grace of the Holy Spirit is continuous and eternal.

Then, as a sign of giving themselves for life to each other, and to the Lord of both in an undivided way, as a sign of unanimity, consent and mutual assistance in the upcoming marriage, the bride and groom exchange rings three times with the participation of a friend of the groom or a priest. After the triple change of rings, the silver remains with the groom, and the gold remains with the bride, as a sign that a masculine spirit is transmitted to feminine weakness.

The priest says a prayer that asks for blessing and confirmation of the betrothed. One is reminded of the miraculous sign of “water-bearing” given to the servant of the patriarch Abraham when he was sent to find a bride for Isaac; this honor was reserved only for that one and only virgin, Rebekah, who gave the messenger water to drink.

The priest asks to bless the position of the rings with a heavenly blessing, in accordance with the power that Joseph received through the ring in Egypt, Daniel became famous in the country of Babylon, and the truth appeared to Tamar. I am reminded of the Lord’s parable about the prodigal son, who repented and returned to his father’s house: “And the father said to his servants: Bring the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand...” (Luke 15:22).

“And the right hand of Thy servant shall be blessed by Thy mighty word and by Thy mighty arm,” the prayer continues. It is no coincidence that the wedding ring is placed on the finger of the right hand, because with this hand they take a vow of fidelity, make the sign of the cross, bless, greet, and hold the sword in a righteous battle.

People tend to make mistakes, to stray from the true path, and without the help of God and His guidance these two weak people will not reach the goal - the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, the priest asks: “And let Your angel go before them all the days of their lives.”

The betrothal sequence ends with a short litany with the addition of a petition for the betrothed.

Rings can be made of one metal - gold, silver - and have decorations made of precious stones. When changing rings, you need to be careful not to drop them on the floor, since a man's finger is thicker than a woman's, and therefore the bride's ring is difficult to keep on her finger. Immediately after this comes the wedding.