ROYAL WEDDING

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19406, 5 November 1934, Page 8

ROYAL WEDDING

DOUBLE CEREMONY.

REASON FOR OBSERVANOB. GESTURE TO THE GREEKS. (From a' Correspondent.) LONDON, October 4. Much interest has been .aroused by the report that a Greek as well as an Anglican ceremony will be part of the wedding of Prince 'George and Princess Marina. The Rev. C. E. Douglas, Proctor in Canterbury Cathedral, and an acknowledged authority on Eastern Church matters, Informed a Sunday Times representative that there is no legal necessity for a double ceremony. “ The English and the Orthodox Churches recognise the binding character of the marriage contracts blessed in other communions,”-he said. “ There is, therefore, no necessity for duplicating the ceremony in -such mixed marriages." “ But there is a special importance and interest in this case. For Princess Marina is of the Royal House of Greece, and among men of the Greek race and Greek Church there are many who honour their Royal House. They desire that it shall retain its. Hellenic character to the fullest extent allowed by law. To them the fact that the members of that House receive the blessing of the Creek Church on marriage Is much more than a matter of sentiment. It is a 'preservation of tradition —a link with the past and perhaps an omen for. the future.

Striking Ceremonial.

“ The Greek Orthodox marriage service is rich with elaborate and striking ceremonial and symbolism. Strictly, it consists of two services—the betrothal or exchange of rings and the crowning with the mystical crowns. The two rites can be celebrated together <?r with an interval of months between them. .“ For the betrothal two rings, one gold and one silver, are placed on the Holy Table. "The bridal pair kneel at the entrance to th.e sanctuary and the officiating rpinister comes to them there and puts lighted tapers in their, hands. He then blesses the rings, and after the appropriate prayers places the gold ring on the man’s finger, saying- three times In a loud voice, 1 N. or M., the Lord’s servant, is betrothed.’ He then places the silver ring on the woman’s finger with a similar proclamation, blesses the pair and returns to the Holy Table, unless the crowning follows immediately, as it generally .does. “ For the Crowning the minister ■leads the 1 bridal pair; holding their lighted tapers, to the Ambo, which is a desk.' .covered with . tapestry. in the middle of the church. The best man •follows. On." the Ambo are the nuptial crowns, riiade of gilt metal, spherical in shape and sparkling with real or imitation gems. After the appropriate prayers the minister crowns the man and the woman, proclaiming thrice (as before), ‘ N. or M., the Servant of God, is crowned.’ “ Epistle and Gospel are read, and then the nuptial cup Is brought in. The minister blesses this, and eaoh In turn drinks, as a symbol of the common cup which they vow to share through life. 'The nuptial procession follows round the Ambo. Tlj.e minister walks nackwards facing the bridal pair and censing them as he moves. The best man (or men) follow, holding the crowns in position.

Possible Compromise.

In the setting of an Eastern Church this ceremonial is dignified and natural. It is not easy 'to picture it taking -place .in Westminster -Abbey, •and for this reason, any Orthodox solemnisation of the marriage between Prince George and Princess Marina will ■ probably be in private, either before or after the English ‘service.’’-

NATIONAL GIFTS. CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS TREAT. A COMMITTEE OP 'GEORGES. (Official Wireless.) (Received Nov. 5, 2.30 -p.m.) (RUGBY, Nov. 4The Duke of Kent and Princess (Marina have decided that national wedding gifts to be presented to them shall be used for providing a Christmas treat for necessitous children and the provision of'holidays for convalescent sick children of unemployed. A gift is being arranged by a committee of nine Georges, who in a letter to the public state that although a 'Royal Dukedom has recently been conferred upon him it is as Prince George that the bridegroom is generally known, and they feel that the nation’s sentiments of respect and admiration to be expressed by this wedding gift to the Royal couple 'Should be organised by Georges throughout the country. Tlie signatories include Mr George Ferguson, High Commissioner for Canada; Mr George Lansbury, Leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party; George Arliss, actor; Mr George Diummond, 'banker; the Duke of Sulheiland (George Granville Sutherland Leveson) who is chairman of the committee; and other Georges prominent in different walks of life.