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Brethren (and sistren),

I have a friend, a theologian, who wrote a note to me asking about the origin of Byzantine wedding customs, specifically the crowning. Here's his question:

"Can you help me a little? I know that in the eastern Churches all marriages are considered "royal" (hence the crowns worn by the bride and groom). Do you have any idea about the history of this liturgical custom? Thanks."

Thanks in advance.

The use of crowns finds its context and symbolism within Sacred Sripture. As noted by Saint Paul, the crown is a sign of victory in athletic events and uses that language to mark the ultimate goal of the Christian (cf 1 Cor 9:24-25). Crowning also recalls the victory of martyrdom, and puts into perspective the use of the troparion of the martyrs in the Dance of Isaiah. So one can see an eschatological dimension of the holy Mystery of Crowning.

Now, marriage is not viewed in any morbid or comedic manner as martyrdom. Rather, the procession into the temple to the tetrapod, the diaconal litanies, the prayers of the priest, the Dance of Isaiah, etc, are a microcosm of the couple's future life together in Christ ultimately leading to the heavenly kingdom and receiving the "imperishable" crowns of eternal life. Unlike the West, which sees marriage ending at death, the Byzantine East emphasizes the eternity of the marriage bond, ie, marriage transcends death and as a sacrament is "projected as an eternal bond into the Kingdom of God." (John Meyendorff, Byzantine Theology, pp 198-199)

Additionally (in the Eastern Orthodox jurisdictions), second and third marriages (conducted only with episcopal permission) are not crowned unless there is an Orthodox partner in the wedding who is marrying for the first time. Second and third marriages are granted out of "economia." The service is actually a penitential one.

In Christ,
Andrew

Also, in addition to Father Deacon John's excellent post--the martyrdom we undertake in marriage is one of complete selflessness and self-sacrifice for the other.

In Christ,
Alice

Dear Friends,

Martyrdom truly is a component of the life of marriage - only those who aren't married can say otherwise!

In truth, we invoke the Great Martyr Procopius toward this end.

We need to die to self in the Christian life, let alone in a Christian life shared with another.

And we should have our wedding bands on our right hand, for when we make the Sign of the Cross, we should quickly gaze at it and reflect that we have been married (for eternity) in Christ.

Alex

Alex!

I knew we could expect words of profound marital wisdom from you!

Fondly,
Alice

Dear Alice,

Not always - but I do have my moments . . .

With respect to marriage, I've learned the hard way . . .

My secret? "Yes, dear; Yes, dear; When would you like THAT ready by, dear?"

Quite simple, actually . . .

Alex

And he thinks we believe him ???????

Yes dear . . .

Alex

Yes, Andrew, the fact that 2nd and 3rd marriages are tolerated (not approved, hence, their pentitential nature) underscores the permanence of the marital bond even into the age to come. And those those of you who elaborated upon the martyrdom aspect of Crowning, thank you.

Although, martyrdom in our normal parlance seems to suggest suffering, the root is the Greek term for "witness". So in a real sense, the martyrdom of Crowning can also suggest a witness to the world of the ascetical dimension of marriage, ie, that the man and the woman forsake all forms of physical intimacy with others save one- each other.

Thanks much for the responses so far. But I wonder if any of you can point to patristic testimonies, or talk about where and when the custom developed. The friend who asks the question needs to get back to origins.

I have faith in the abounding knowledge of this forum.

Athanasius,

Some info on the symbolism, although I couldn't find anything specific to the origins.

From What Is the Significance of the Wedding Crowns? [antiochian.org] at the Antiochian website.

See also:
Encyclical on Marriage [oca.org] of the OCA's Holy Synod

Marriage: The Service of Crowning [annunciationgoc.com] from Annunciation GO Church in Newburyport, MA

Many years,

Neil

Actually crowing was also part of the latin rite for reasons I haven't been able to find the tradition was gradually dropped in the west after the schism so for awhile anyway crowing was catholic as in universal for christian marriages.
Its still present in the syriac rites so it was not a hellenistic tradtion as some or the Byzantine traditions can tend to be it seems to have been very early in church history possibly a Jewish tradition.

Hello all.
There was talk of second and third weddings. I suppose you were talking about weddings in which the first spouse is still alive.
How about marriages after being widdowed? For example if a Widow and a Widower married would they be crowned? And hence the biblical question, which spouse would they be reunited with in heaven? For if Eastern Theology claims that the bond is eternal, the question must indeed be asked...

St. Matthew's Gospel (Chap. 22:20-30): Jesus answered and said to them, you make the mistake of not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

(1 Cor. Chap. 2:9): "eye has not seen and ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on humankind what God has prepared for those who love Him."

Lord remember me when I come into Your Kingdom!

In His great mercy,
+Fr. Gregory