Live Life Team
Armenian weddings are deeply rooted in religious beliefs. In the modern age, more often than not a white wedding dress and Western style wedding attendants may be the couple’s choice, but the actual ceremony follows the teachings of the Armenian Orthodox Church.
Holy matrimony is one of the seven sacraments of the Armenian Church. The couple make a solemn promise in the presence of Christ, the priest, family and friends to be committed to each other for life. Christ blesses the union through the church and it is the traditional belief that to have an Armenian wedding outside of the church is unthinkable.
The weddings are ritualistic and perhaps the most beautiful part of the service is the crowning, which occurs at the end of the wedding ceremony. Crowns are considered to be a visible sign of the honour and glory that has been bestowed upon the couple in the Sacrament of Marriage. The bride and groom are symbolically crowned as king and queen of their home, their own kingdom, as a reminder for them to rule that home with justice, wisdom and integrity.
The best man stands between the couple and holds a cross over their heads. The crowns are placed, followed by the blessing of a goblet of wine or the common cup, which the bride and groom both drink from. This is to remind them of God’s presence and blessing on their very special day, of their responsibilities as husband and wife and as future parents.
