Marriage is a Sacrament, a Mysterion of the Orthodox Church, through which the union of man and woman is sanctified by God.

Married life is a special vocation that attains its fullness through the grace of the Holy Spirit. It is this very grace that is conferred on the couple during the Wedding Service.

The Orthodox marriage ceremony, the most ancient of Christian wedding rites, is steeped in ritual and symbolism, reflecting the theology of the Church. The rite is performed by a Priest who stands before an appropriately covered ceremonial table. It is placed in the middle of the Soleas area of the church, in front of the Holy Altar.

The Laws and Regulations pertaining to Weddings are set by the Holy Canons of the Orthodox Church and are implemented accordingly by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia. These regulations apply to every Greek Orthodox Priest across Australia who is obliged to observe them conscientiously. To find out more, please read our article about the Laws and Regulations required for an Orthodox wedding.