GREEK MARRIAGE SERVICE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2391, 28 December 1899, Page 33

GREEK MARRIAGE SERVICE.

(Specially Written for the Otago Wit-

(BY THE BARON.)

A very peculiar wedding ceremony, according to the strict rules of the orthodox Greek Church, took place at the building devoted to that faith in Melbourne ; and as much interest was felt in that singular religious rite, a vast crowd congregated inside and outside the place of worship ; while an immense number of carriages brought the guests, who assembled in a part reserved for the wedding party. In this enclosure, a little distance from, and in front of, the steps leading to the sanctuary stood a handsomely decorated table, arranged to represent an altar, covered with a white silver-woven cloth, embroidered with a gold cross, and fringed with gold, which touched the floor. On this table stood a large candelabrum, bearing five candles. Bight and left were two tall stands, with extra long candles ; and above these, a specially handsome glass chandelier, holding a great quantity of candles, sparkled in rainbow colours as the sun shone upon it through the open windows. All the candles were alight, causing a peculiar yellowish effect in the daylight. On the altar table I observed a beatuifully engraved silver tray, on which at one end were laid two particularly large candles, tied in the centre with broad blue ribbon streamers ; and also two wreaths of real orange blossoms and maidenhair fern, with long ends of iwhite satin ribbon. The other end of the tray was covered with a quantity of lollies. To the left, on a smaller tray, stood a little glass jug, containing wine, and beside it a tumbler, in front of which lay a spoon and four small squares of specially made blessed bread. In the centre of the table rested a crimson velvet, gold-bound Russian Bible, which is so reverenced by the Greeks that no one but the priest is allowed to handle it; and it was he himself, after the conclusion of the ceremony, who removed the Book. Close to this stood an exceptionally rare-looking jewelled cross on its own tray ; beyond was a beautiful painting of the Virgin, and at the back supporting other pictures and flowers stood a large gold cross. A Greek marriage usually lasts a full hour, as the rules laid down for it have all to be complied with, and take time to carry out, the principal idea evidently being that it is considered necessary to make the service as binding as possible. As the bridegroom entered the reserved part and took up his position on the right side in front of the wedding table, crackers of all kinds were let off outside the building, and explosions were heard, which continued for a considerable time. The next person to appear was the priest, Father Athanasios, clothed in black, with a violet stole gold embroidered, and wearing his tall brimless hat. Almost immediately' after his arrival the bride and her party ap"peared.

The fiancee, a very pretty young Syrian, was exquisitely robed in white brocaded satin, gold and bead embroidered, with delicate silken veil and orange flower wreath. She looked exceedingly charming, standing to the bridegroom's left, and attracted general admiration. Next to her stood the one bridesmaid holding alight one of the two large candles ornamented with blue ribbons. To the right of the intended husband stood the best man, holding the other candle, also alight.

The ceremony (which was conducted entirely in the melodious Arabic language) commenced with the bridegroom giving Father Athanasios two rings, which the priest placed on the Russian Bible, while saying a prayer and wafting incense over them. He then took the largest of the two — a jewelled ring — and with it touched the forehead of the bridegroom and of the bride, made the sign of the cross with it on the breast of the former, and ultimately

placed the ring on the little finger of the bridegroom's right hand. The plain wedding ring the priest laid against the bride's forehead, and also against that of her intended husband, before crossing her with it on the breast and placing the ring on the third finger of the right hand, over her glove. Then followed a lengthy pause, while everybody in the building was handed lighted candles to hold (an exceedingly dangerous custom, as an accident very nearly occurred). Meanwhile, Father Athanasios withdrew into the sanctuary (which is so sacred, that no woman, not even the priest's wife is admitted), returning almost immediately most magnificently attired, completely in white satin, silver woven brocade, embroidered with gold ; the head was uncoveed and his thick long curls were tied together, thus clustering at the neck and falling in a rich mass on the shoulders. His appearance was singularly interesting, and most remarkable, as he stood under the chandelier, in the full light of innumerable candles ; and taking the Russian Bible, he passed it between the young couple, forming the cross with it. He then let them kiss the Book, which .was done with deepest reverence. Long prayers, with intoned chorus, followed, alter which the priest locked together the bride's and the bridegroom's little fingers of their right hands, at the same time taking one of the wreaths from the silver tray. With this he formed the sign of the cross three times over the Bible, and then held the wreath, first over the bridegroom's head, and then over the bride's head, ultimately leaving the wreath on the head of the former, the long white satin ribbons hanging down his back, and as may be supposed, he presented a very quaint appearance thus decorated, especially as he looked solemnly conscious and perhaps a trifle shamefaced about it. The second wreath was treated similarly, being then left on the head of the

bride, above the veil and over her own wreath, which gave her the appearance ot wearing a high crown. Then the priest, while singing a hymn in a strong, full, melodious voice, changed the wreaths from one head to the other, keeping time with the singing, while crossing and recrossing his hands. Much incense was wafted, which appeared to be specially and most deliciously perfumed, scenting the whole place, and clinging to the garments of those present for several days. Leaving the husband and wife with locked fingers and wearing their wreaths, Father Athanasios, in three small quantities, poured out wine from the glass jug into the tumbler, and added the four little squares of bread. With a peculiarly-shaped, old-fashioned, richly-carved silver teaspoon he then administered the communion, prepared as just described, first to the husband, next to the wife, then .to the best man, and lastly to the bridesmaid .permitting each to take a drink of wine with the soaked bread. As the priest returned the tumbler to the table he took a handful of lollies from the tray and flung them over the married couple. This evidently was considered as an expected signal, for a perfect shower of sweets (I can call it nothing else) continued without intermission, coming from all parts of iue church, almost to the end of the service, rattling on the floor and striking people right and left. At one time the sound of money being thrown was also distinctly audible. During this singular part of the ceremony, Father Athanasios, holding the bride's hand, led the married couple (with fingers still locked), and followed by their principal, friends three times round the wedding altar, the lollies crushing under their feet as they walked like so many crackers going off. After that the wreaths were again reversed from one head to the other. Then followed the special concluding blessing. The priest going separately

to each of the four principals concerned, and making the sign of the cross, raised his hand to their lips for them to kiss. The wreaths were only then removed and the little fingers unlocked. Congratulations from all sides followed, and then the newly-married couple (who had gone through more than an hour's trying ceremonials) and the very large gathering of guests left the church, amid showers of rice and sweetmeats of all kinds. The bride and bridegroom had to sign papers before and after the marriage service. It is singular to note that during the whole ceremony not a single word was uttered by either of the two contracting parties.