Holy Matrimony (Marriage)

The Mystery of a man and a woman made one in Christ, whose centre is not an exchange of vows - the Orthodox rite has none - but the crowning. The priest sets crowns on the heads of the bride and groom, crowns of a small kingdom and crowns of martyrs, because a marriage is a life laid down for another. They drink from a common cup and are led three times round the table while the Church sings the hymns of the martyrs. St Paul calls marriage a great mystery concerning Christ and the Church. The Orthodox Church allows a second and a third marriage by economy, after a divorce or a death, with a service of a penitential character, and forbids a fourth. Mixed marriages with other Christians are permitted; marriage outside Christianity is not blessed.