The wedding rite is a great sacrament that grants the new family a blessing for union. Many couples who are officially married go to church. There are situations when the bride goes through this ceremony, being in an interesting position.
When can I get married?
Ignorant people believe that during pregnancy it is impossible to marry, since the child was conceived without official registration of marriage. And if a new life was born when the parents were already a legitimate husband and wife, then they continue to argue that an intimate relationship is a sin, and it is not worth it to publicize its results, especially if you go to church and take part in any ceremonies.
In fact, a pregnant woman is considered already blessed if a new man could be born in her bosom. Therefore, paying attention to the opinions of others is not worth it. A representative of any church will immediately approve the spouses' decision to marry if the woman is in an interesting position.
It is better to appoint a wedding as early as possible, if by this time it will be possible to have time to prepare well for it. It is worth remembering that over time it becomes difficult for a pregnant woman to go out once again, and even more so to stand for a long time (the wedding ceremony lasts at least 60 minutes). Therefore, the determining date for the wedding will be the one when a woman will feel good and find the strength to conduct a wedding ceremony according to all the canons of the Orthodox Church. This means that, in addition to the sacrament itself, the spouses will have to participate in the Divine Liturgy, which can last up to 4 hours.
Not every woman in the position due to toxicosis, aching pain in the lower back, legs and head is able to withstand such a long procedure. Therefore, before deciding to get married, being pregnant, you need to evaluate your physical strength.
It is possible and necessary to get married if both spouses who have entered into an official union (having a marriage certificate) are true believers, show mutual respect for each other and both want to be married.
An essential requirement: before performing the rite, one must confess and partake, and then observe a three-day fast. But for pregnant women, the last requirement is canceled, since they need to eat well so that the baby receives all the substances he needs.
Confession is obligatory for anyone who wants to be married. Some people are embarrassed to tell the priest some stories from their lives, however, the church representative will always listen carefully to the confessor and find the right words to support him and inspire him to continue his life according to God's law. After that, you can take communion.
In a number of organizational moments, representatives of the church discuss how many will be present at the wedding ceremony, the exact date and time of its holding. In anticipation of the sacrament, a woman must pray to the Mother of God that the wedding will be held on time and in accordance with all church rules.
The question of whether it is worth conducting a wedding ceremony, when a replenishment is expected in the family, each couple decides for themselves. There are no canonical prohibitions on the sacrament during pregnancy. Modern young people in general often register relationships only after they learn about the imminent appearance of a baby or when the child has already been born. Therefore, wedding during pregnancy is now a fairly common occurrence.
Believing partners, as a rule, want to get married. If one of the spouses is a representative of another faith, but sincerely wants to be married, the priest will give the go-ahead for the ceremony. In this case, the Gentile will pray for the well-being of his soulmate. Such a family, from the point of view of church canons, is also full.
When can’t this be done?
You can not perform a wedding ceremony if one of the spouses is against. A wedding under duress, under the pressure of the second half, parents, paying tribute to fashion, is not allowed. Both man and woman must agree to the wedding only on the basis of their personal voluntary motives. The priest will ask about free will during a preliminary conversation. Also, you can’t get married when you want it. There are days when wedding ceremonies are not held. These include: fasting, Christmas Eve of great holidays, Wednesday and Friday (fasting days), Christmas time.
You can learn more about the days allowed for the wedding by specifying in the temple where you are going to hold the sacrament. Only Orthodox baptized spouses can get married.
The following are not allowed in the wedding ceremony:
- representatives of other beliefs;
- persons who have not officially registered their marriage (exception - official registration is appointed the day after the sacrament of wedding);
- unbelievers;
- relatives;
- minors;
- unmarried people;
- unbaptized;
- people getting married (getting married), fourth and subsequent times;
- people with mental disorders.
In exceptional situations, a church representative may agree to hold a wedding ceremony with a representative of a different faith if the children born in this marriage are baptized and raised according to the laws of the Orthodox faith.
Preparing for the sacrament
It is necessary to approach all church ordinances (including weddings) as seriously and responsibly as possible. Preparation for the wedding, conditionally, is divided into two stages.
The first stage is organizational. This includes: setting a wedding date, choosing clothes for the ceremony, purchase of all necessary attributes:
- wedding rings (gold men’s and silver women’s, wedding engagement rings can also be used, but before the ceremony the priest must bless them);
- candles;
- Icon of the Savior and Mother of God;
- two white towels.
Spouses should have body crosses with them.
Second stage of preparation - internal self-improvement. At this stage, it is assumed that both spouses will go to confession before the wedding, and then take communion. In a confession, everyone should tell the clergyman about their sins before the Savior and loved ones, sincerely repent of them. Before partaking of the sacrament, it is necessary to observe the fast (as far as possible) and read the prayers.
The severity of fasting is determined individually for each, taking into account the person’s proximity to the church, his state of health, especially living conditions and other factors. For pregnant women and those who have recently given birth, the post is not set as strict as prescribed in church rules.
How will the wedding be held?
The wedding ceremony in the Orthodox Church, conditionally, is divided into two stages: the introductory and the action itself.
The introductory stage involves the betrothal of the spouses as a confirmation of mutual promises. Betrothal takes place after the Divine Liturgy. The meaning of this action: the husband accepts his spouse from the Lord. Accordingly, as soon as the clergyman introduced the couple to the church, their new life together according to divine laws is considered to have begun. After that, the minister of the church blesses the spouses three times (in turn). Those, in turn, are baptized, and then take lighted candles from the priest. Such an attribute has several symbolic meanings: a symbol of pure love, chastity, God's grace.
A priest walks with a censer and reads a prayer for the betrothed: about the blessing for posterity and the performance of good deeds, the fulfillment of petitions related to the salvation of the soul. At this time, all those in the church bow their heads. Then the priest alternately puts on the spouses rings and three times overshadows them with the banner of the cross. Then the husband and wife exchange these attributes three times (the symbol of the Holy Trinity). The priest reads a prayer for giving the wedding couple a blessing and sending them a Guardian Angel, who will protect them and guide them on the right path in a new clean life. The first stage of the wedding at this is considered completed.
The second part of the wedding begins when the young with candles in their hands stand in the middle of the church. The priest goes with a censer, and the choir sings psalm No. 127. The newlyweds stand on a rushnyk and answer the questions of the clergyman related to the voluntary expression of will for the ceremony and the lack of promises of marriage given to third parties. The priest overshadows the young (in turn) with the cross banner with the help of crowns. After this, the groom kisses the image of the Savior on his garment, and the bride kisses the image of the Mother of God on her. The crowns are put on the heads of the spouses. The priest reads the prayer 3 times and blesses the new family. Then an excerpt from the Gospel of John is read, relating to the newly formed union, a prayer for harmony in relationships, honesty in relation to each other, life according to church commandments.
Then all those present, along with the young ones, read the prayer “Our Father” (you should know by heart). The priest brings the cup with the Cahors, blesses it. First, the husband drinks wine - he does it three times. Then similar actions are repeated by the spouse. The clergyman takes the right hands of the young, covers them with epitraches and puts his hand on top, which symbolizes the transfer of the spouse from the church to the man. Three times young pass around a lectern - a symbol of a common fate for two.
The crowns are removed from the young. The representative of the church congratulates the spouses. Prayers are read, listening to them, the couple bow their heads.When the priest finished reading, as a symbol of the birth of a new Christian family, the couple give each other a short kiss. At the end of the wedding, the young are brought to the royal gates, where everyone should kiss their icon (husband - the Savior, bride - the mother of God), and then - to exchange. Then the couple kiss the cross, offered by the representative of the church, and receive two icons for life storage, which are considered the main amulets of the family.
About whether it is possible to get married pregnant, see the next video.
