Orthodox Traditions
Orthodox Baptism | Sacrament of Marriage
The Eastern Orthodox Church – or the Orthodox Church - is a religious organization founded by Jesus and his Twelve Apostles. It officially calls itself the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. There are approximately 220 million Eastern Orthodox Christians worldwide. Eastern Orthodoxy is the second largest Christian communion in the world after the Roman Catholic Church, and the third largest religious grouping overall after Protestantism.
Eastern Orthodoxy is the largest single religious faith in Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, but there are also large Orthodox communities in Africa, Asia, Australia, Albania, Estonia, Jerusalem, North America, and South America.
There are Seven Sacraments within Christian Orthodoxy:
- Baptism
- Chrismation
- Confession
- Communion
- Marriage
- Holy Unction
- Holy Orders
Orthodox Christians believe in a single God who is both three and one (triune): Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Holy Trinity is three distinct, divine persons (hypostases) who share one divine essence (ousia)—uncreated, immaterial and eternal.
About the Orthodox Baptism
The sacraments of baptism and chrismation bring great fulfillment to the Orthodox Christian family. Baptism cleanses an individual's soul of original sin. The baptism service is a reenactment of Christ's baptism, death and resurrection. The infant is immersed in the baptismal font three times, symbolizing the three days Christ spent in the tomb. After immersion, the priest places the child in the open arms of the godparent, who places the newly baptized infant in a new white sheet as a symbol of the soul's purity. The purpose of Baptism is to qualify the newly baptized person for membership of the church, and to allow the person to participate in all of the sacraments of the Church.
Immediately following the baptism, the priest administers a second sacrament, Chrismation, in which the child is anointed with myrrh and special oil which have been blessed by the Ecumenical Patriarch to represent the gift of the Holy Spirit. Three locks of hair are tonsured (cut) from the child's head in the form of a cross. The priest then blesses the child’s new undershirt as a uniform of the new soldier of Christ.
After dressing the child in new clothing, the baptismal candles are lit. The priest, godparent, baptized infant, and chosen children walk around the baptismal font three times in celebration of the sacrament. Following the reading of scriptures, the priest administers a third sacrament to the child, the child’s first Holy Communion.
Preparing for the Ceremony – The following ceremonial items are needed by the Godparents:
Baptismal Lambathes (Candles)
The Godparents provide three candles: one large decorated candle for the ceremony and two smaller white candles which are carried by children who circle the baptismal font.
The large Lambatha (candle) is presented at the point in the service when the baby is dressed in his new clothes and a cross is placed around his neck. The child is then presented to the Priest to receive Holy Communion for the first time. The Lambatha represents the fact that Christ is the Spiritual Beacon in the child’s life. The Godparents should bring the the baby and same large Lambatha (dressed in the Christening Clothes) to church for three consecutive Sundays to receive Holy Communion.
Baptism:
1 large candle
2 small candles
1 receiving blanket
1 large white bath towel for wrapping the child
1 white sheet for absorbing the Holy Oil
2 white hand towels.
(one is for drying the hands of the Godparents and the Priest. The other is used to wipe out the font.)
1 small bottle of olive oil
1 bar of soap
1 oil cap for absorbing the Holy Oil
1 undershirt, cloth diaper, rubber pants, and pins
1 new outfi, shoes and
1 baptismal cross and chain
Martirika
Also known as Witness Pins – these are small lapel crosses pinned on each guest at the end of the service to symbolize the fact they witnessed the baptism. During the time of early Christianity, if a dispute arose regarding whether a person were a Baptized Christian, people who witnessed the baptism would present the witness cross to verify the fact that the person had been baptized a Christian. Today this traditional witness pin is made with ribbons that are personalized and features a tiny cross or icon in the center.
Boubouniera
Also known as a Favors – are typically pieces of almond candy wrapped in some type of container or fabric, to be given to each guest after the baptism by either the godparent or the parents of the baptized child. A wide variety of styles are available for these favors.
The gift of a Boubouniera is an Eastern Orthodox tradition over 3,000 years old. Filled with candy coated almonds called koufetta, the Favors are given as a token of appreciation and happiness. The koufetta are symbolic of life itself – a combination of sweetness and bitterness: the sugar coating represents the hope that life will be blessed with more sweetness than bitterness. The Boubouniera is filled with 7 candied almonds. The number seven represents the seven sacraments of the Church.
Sacrament of Marriage
The Sacrament of Marriage in the Eastern Orthodox Church joins two believers into one. The Orthodox Sacrament of Marriage consists of three parts: The Exchange of Rings , Drinking from the Common Cup and the The Crowning.
The Exchange of Rings
The rings are the symbol of betrothal, authority, stewardship and a pledge of eternal love and devotion.
The Common Cup
The bride and groom drink wine together from a common chalice. This represents the life that they will share together will all of its joys and challenges.
Crowns
Crowns “Stephana” allow the man and woman, in their union with Christ, to participate in His Kingship. They are a symbol of martyrdom, or the couple’s bearing witness to the Presence of Christ in their married lives. They represent the couple’s giving of one life totally to the other and through the other to Christ. The couple joins in the traditional walk around the altar table three times being led by the Priest holding the gospel and followed by the Koumbaro “sponsor” who holds the ribbon as a sign that they will be entrusted to watch over the union. These are the first steps the bride and groom take together as husband and wife. At the end of the wedding service, the parents of the couple are asked to come forward and greet the newly married couple and kiss their crowns as a sign of respect and love to them and to Christ. The crowns are removed from the couple and the priest prays that God will receive these crowns into His Kingdom.
The presentation of the Crowns: is very important. They are to be brought to the church on a silver/metal tray. They should be overlapping each other on a bed of tulle with a sprinkle of rice for fertility and Jordon almonds to represent life. The tray is usually a gift to the couple from the Koumbari.
Wedding Candles “Lambathes”
Wedding candles are an essential component of the Orthodox wedding. They are used throughout the service and, at various times, held by the bride and groom. In the Greek tradition, larger candles are placed on either side of the altar table. These are decorated and serve as a reminder of Christ in the couple’s life together.
Crown Case: “Stephanotheki”
Crowns are traditionally kept in a crown case – or stefanothikes – to preserve their beauty and as a visual reminder of the sacrament of the wedding day. They may be hung in a couple’s living room, hallway, or bedroom – or wherever the married couple chooses.
Boubouniera
Also known as a Favors – are almond candy wrapped in some type of container or fabric, to be given to each guest after a wedding or baptism by either the godparent or the parents of the baptized child. A wide variety of styles are available for these favors.
The gift of a Boubouniera is an Eastern Orthodox tradition over 3,000 years old. Filled with coufetta (Jordan Almonds), the favors are given as a token of appreciation and happiness. Boubounieres are symbolic of life with their bittersweet taste. The sugar coating represents the hope that life will be blessed with more sweetness than bitterness. The Boubouniera is filled with 7 almonds. The number represents the seven sacraments of the Church.
