office marriage.doc

The Order of Holy Matrimony

And the Priest reciteth aloud this prayer:

Deacon: Bless, Master!

The Betrothal Service

And again the Priest saith this prayer, aloud: O Holy God, Who didst create man out of the dust, and didst fashion his wife out of his rib, and didst join her unto him as a helpmeet; for it seemed good to Thy majesty that man should not be alone upon the earth: Do Thou Thyself, O Lord, now also stretch out Thy hand from Thy holy dwelling-place, and unite this Thy servant N. to this Thy handmaid N., for by Thee is husband joined unto his wife. Unite them in one mind; wed them in one flesh; granting unto them of the fruit of the womb, and the procreation of fair children. For Thine is the dominion, and Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

After the Divine Liturgy, while the priest being in the temple, those who desire to be joined together stand forth before the holy doors, the man on the right side, the woman on the left. Two rings lie on the right-hand side of the table (previously placed in the middle of the Church), the silver ring inclined toward the right, the gold toward the left, near one to another. The priest maketh the sign of the Cross thrice over the heads of the bridal couple and giveth them lighted candles; and having led them into the church, he censeth in cross-wise fashion.

The Prayer at the Removal of the Crowns

Choir: Amen.

O Eternal God, who hast brought into unity those who were sundered, and hast ordained for them an indissoluble bond of love; who didst bless Isaac and Rebecca, and didst make them heirs of thy promise: Bless also these thy servants, N. and N., directing them unto every good work. For Thou art a merciful God, who lovest mankind; and unto Thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

For unto Thee are due all honor, glory, and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

And to the woman he saith:

Deacon: For the peace from above, and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

And when he has spoken thus to each one thrice, he maketh the Sign of the Cross with the rings upon their heads, and placeth them on the fingers of their right hands. Then the Groomsman changeth the rings of the Bridal Couple thrice.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

For Thou art He Who blesseth and sanctifieth all things; and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Deacon: For the peace of the whole world, the good estate of the holy churches of God, and the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

The Order of Marriage Or

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

The Order of the Crowning

Deacon: For this holy temple, and for them that with faith, reverence, and the fear of God enter herein, let us pray to the Lord.

If they desire to be crowned at the same time, they enter the church with lighted candles, preceded by the Priest, with censing, and while Psalm 127 is chanted, to each verse of which the choir chanteth the refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon / (Reader) (Priest): Blessed are all they that fear the Lord.

Deacon: For our Great Lord and Father, His Holiness, Patriarch N.; for our lord the Very Most Reverend Metropolitan N., First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad; for our lord the Most Reverend (Archbishop or Bishop N.); for the venerable priesthood, the deaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.

Refrain: Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee!

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

That walk in His ways. Thou shalt eat the fruit of thy labours. Blessed art thou, and well shall it be with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine on the sides of thy house. Thy sons like young olive trees round about thy table. Behold, so shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. The Lord bless thee out of Zion, and mayest thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. And mayest thou see thy children s children; peace be upon Israel.

Deacon: For this land, its authorities and armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.

Hast thou, N., a good, free, and unconstrained will, and a firm intention unto take to thyself to wife this woman N., whom thou seest here before thee? And the bridegroom answereth, saying:

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

I have, reverend father.

Deacon: For the God-preserved Russian Land and its Orthodox people both in the homeland and in the diaspora, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Bridegroom: I have not promised myself, reverend father.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Hast thou, N., a good, free, and unconstrained will, and a firm intention to take unto thyself to husband this man N., whom thou seest here before thee?

Deacon: That He may deliver His people from enemies both visible and invisible, and confirm in us oneness of mind, brotherly love and piety, let us pray to the Lord.

And the bride answereth, saying:

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

I have, reverend father.

Deacon: For the servant of God, N. and for the handmaid of God, N., who now pledge fidelity to each other, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Bride: I have not promised myself, reverend father.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

O God most pure, the Creator of every living thing, Who didst transform the rib of our forefather Adam our forefather into a wife, because of Thy love for mankind, and didst bless them, and say unto them: Increase and multiply, and have dominion over the earth; and didst make of the two one flesh: for which cause a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave unto his wife, and the two shall be one flesh; and what God hath joined together, let no man put asunder; Thou Who didst bless Thy servant Abraham and, opening the womb of Sarah, didst make him to be the father of many nations; Who didst give Isaac to Rebecca, and didst bless her in child-bearing; Who didst join Jacob unto Rachel, and from that union didst generate the twelve patriarchs; Who didst unite Joseph and Asenath, giving unto them as the fruit of their procreation Ephraim and Manasseh; Who didst accept Zachariah and Elizabeth, and didst make their offspring to be the Forerunner; Who, from the Root of Jesse according to the flesh, didst bud forth the Ever-Virgin One, and wast incarnate of her for the redemption of the human race; Who, through Thine unutterable gift and manifold goodness didst come to Cana of Galilee, and didst bless the marriage there, that Thou mightest make manifest that it is Thy will that there should be lawful marriage and the begetting of children: Do Thou Thyself, O Most Holy Master, accept the prayer of us, Thy servants. As Thou wert present there, so likewise be Thou present here with Thine invisible protection. Bless this marriage, and bestow upon these Thy servants N. and N. a peaceful life, length of days, chastity, mutual love in the bond of peace, long-lived seed, gratitude from their posterity, a crown of glory which fadeth not away. Vouchsafe them to behold their children

Deacon: That there may be granted unto them children for the continuation of the race; and for all their petitions which are unto salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

s children. Preserve their bed unassailed, and give them of the dew of heaven from on high, and of the fatness of the earth. Fill their houses with wheat, wine and oil, and every beneficence, that they may bestow also upon the needy; granting also unto those who are here present with them all those petitions which are for their salvation. For Thou art a God of mercy, compassion and love for mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory, together with Thine unoriginate Father, and Thy most holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, who art the Priest of mystical and pure marriage, and the Ordainer of the law of the marriage of the body, the Preserver of immortality, and the Provider of good things: Do Thou Thyself, O Master, Who in the beginning didst make man and set him to be, as it were, a king of over Thy creation, and didst say: It is not good for man to be alone on the earth; let Us make a helpmeet for him; and taking one if his ribs didst fashion a woman, which when Adam beheld he said: this is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, for she was taken out of man; for this cause shall a man shall leave father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and the two shall be one flesh; and what God hath joined together, let no man put asunder: Do Thou now also, O Master, our Lord and our God, send down Thy heavenly grace upon these Thy servants, N. and N.; and grant that this Thy handmaid may in all things be subject to her husband; and that this Thy servant may be the head of his wife, that they may live according to Thy will. Bless them, O Lord our God, as Thou didst bless Abraham and Sarah; bless them, O Lord our God, as Thou didst bless Isaac and Rebecca; bless them, O Lord our God, as Thou didst bless Jacob and all the patriarchs; bless them, O Lord our God, as Thou didst bless Joseph and Asenath; bless them, O Lord our God, as Thou didst bless Moses and Zipporah; bless them, O Lord our God, as Thou didst bless Joachim and Anna; bless them, O Lord our God as Thou didst bless Zachariah and Elizabeth. Preserve them, O Lord our God, as Thou didst preserve Noah in the ark; preserve them, O Lord our God, as Thou didst preserve Jonah in the belly of the whale; preserve them, O Lord our God, as Thou didst preserve the three holy children from the fire, sending down upon them dew from heaven; and let that gladness come upon them which the blessed Helen experienced when she found the precious Cross. Remember them, O Lord our God, as Thou didst remember Enoch, Shem and Elijah; be remember them, O Lord our God, as Thou didst remember Thy Forty Holy Martyrs, sending down upon them crowns from heaven; remember them, O God, and the parents who have nurtured them; for the prayers of parents make firm the foundations of homes. Remember, O Lord our God, of Thy servants, the groomsman and bridesmaid of the bridal couple, who are come together in this joy. Remember, O Lord our God, Thy servant N. and Thy handmaid N., and bless them. Grant them the fruit of the womb, fair children, concord of soul and body. Exalt them like the cedars of Lebanon, like a luxuriant vine. Grant them seed in number, like unto the full ears of grain; that, having sufficiency in all things, they may abound in every work that is good and acceptable unto Thee. And let them behold their children

Deacon: That He will send down upon them perfect and peaceful love, and help, let us pray to the Lord.

s children, like a newly planted olive orchard, round about their table; that, obtaining favor in Thy sight, they shine like the stars of heaven, in Thee, our God. For with Thee is the glory, dominion, honor, and worship, with Thine unoriginate Father, and Thine all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

And after the Amen the priest, taking the crowns, crowneth first the Bridegroom, saying:

Deacon: That He will preserve them in oneness of mind, and in firmness of faith, let us pray to the Lord.

And likewise he crowneth also the Bride saying:

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

Deacon: That He will bless them with a blameless life, let pray to the Lord.

For Thou art our God, the God Who showeth mercy and saveth, and unto Thee do we send up glory, together with Thine unoriginate Father, and Thine all-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

(Aloud) For blessed is Thy name, and glorified is Thy kingdom: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Deacon: That the Lord our God will grant unto them an honorable marriage and a bed undefiled, let us pray to the Lord.

Then, taking the common cup in his hand, the priest giveth it to them thrice: first to the man, and then to the woman. And immediately the priest taketh them, the groomsmen behind them holding their crowns, and leadeth them in a circle thrice around the analogion. And the priest, or the choir chant these troparia:

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Tone 7: Rejoice, O Isaiah! /

Deacon: That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

The Virgin is with child, /

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

and shall bear a Son, Emmanuel, / both God and Man: / Orient is His name; // Whom magnifying, we call the Virgin blessed. O Holy Martyrs, / Who fought the good fight and have received your crowns: / Entreat ye the Lord // that He will have mercy on our souls.

Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

Glory to Thee, O Christ God, /

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

the Apostles

Deacon: Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God.

joy, // whose preaching was the consubstantial Trinity.

Choir: To Thee O Lord.

Then, taking the crown of the Bridegroom, the priest saith:

Priest: For unto Thee is due all glory, honor and worship; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

And when he taketh the crown of the Bride, he saith:

Choir: Amen.

Lord have mercy. Thrice.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Father, bless.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

The Bridegroom and Bride kiss each other and the people come and congratulate the newly-weds.

Then the Priest saith this Prayer aloud:

Revised 1/25/2024 stand forth before the holy doors, the man on the right side, the woman on the left. , the silver ring inclined toward the right, the gold Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto the For the peace from above, and the salvation of our souls, holy churches of God, and the union of all, let us pray to the Lord. For this holy temple, and for them that with faith, ear of God enter herein, let us pray to the Lord

Choir: Amen.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

Choir: And to thy spirit.

Deacon: Bow your heads unto the Lord.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

Priest: O Lord our God, Who hast espoused the Church as a pure Virgin from among the Gentiles: Bless this Betrothal, and unite and maintain these Thy servants in peace and oneness of mind.

Then the Priest, taking the rings, blesseth the Bridal Couple therewith, making the sign of the Cross over the Bridegroom with the ring of the Bride, and over the Bride with that of the Bridegroom, and saith to the Man:

Priest: The servant of God, N., is betrothed to the handmaiden of God, N.; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thrice.

Priest: The handmaiden of God, N., is betrothed to the servant of God, N.; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thrice.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: O Lord our God, Who didst accompany the servant of the Patriarch Abraham into Mesopotamia, when he was sent to espouse a wife for his master Isaac, and Who by means of the water-pitcher didst reveal unto him that he should betroth Rebecca: do Thou Thyself, O Lord, bless also the betrothal of Thy servants, N. and N., and confirm the word which they have spoken. Establish them in the holy union which is from Thee; for Thou, in the beginning, didst make them male and female, and by Thee is the woman joined unto the man, as a helpmeet, and for the procreation of the human race. Wherefore, O Lord, our God, Who hast sent forth Thy truth upon Thine inheritance, and Thy covenant unto Thy servants, our fathers, even Thine elect, from generation and generation: Look Thou upon Thy servant N. and upon Thy handmaid N., and establish and make stable their betrothal in faith, and in oneness of mind, in truth and love. For Thou, O Lord, hast declared that a pledge should be given and confirmed in all things. By a ring was power given unto Joseph in Egypt; by a ring was Daniel glorified in the land of Babylon; by a ring was the uprightness of Tamar revealed; by a ring did our heavenly Father show forth His compassion upon His son, for He saith: Put a ring on his right hand and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it, and eat and be merry. By Thine Own right hand, O Lord, didst Thou arm Moses in the Red Sea; by the word of Thy truth were the heavens established and the foundations of the earth were made firm; and the right hands of Thy servants shall be blessed also by Thy mighty word and Thine upraised arm. Wherefore, O Master, do Thou now bless this putting-on of rings with Thy heavenly benediction, and let Thine angel go before them all the days of their life.

Choir: Amen.

Then the priest shall make an exhortation telling them of what the Sacrament of marriage consisteth, and how they ought to live God-pleasingly and honorably in the wedded state. And at the conclusion of his exhortation, the priest shall inquire of the Bridegroom, saying:

Priest: Thou hast not promised thyself to any other bride?

Then immediately the priest, looking at the Bride, shall inquire of her, saying:

Priest: Thou hast not promised thyself to any other man?

Deacon: Bless, master!

Priest: Blessed is the kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For the peace from above, and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For the peace of the whole world, the good estate of the holy churches of God, and the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For this holy temple, and for them that with faith, reverence, and the fear of God enter herein, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For our Great Lord and Father, His Holiness, Patriarch N.; for our lord the Very Most Reverend Metropolitan N., First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad; for our lord the Most Reverend (Archbishop or Bishop N.); for the venerable priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For this land, its authorities and armed forces, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For the God-preserved Russian Land and its Orthodox people both in the homeland and in the diaspora, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That He may deliver His people from enemies both visible and invisible, and confirm in us oneness of mind, brotherly love and piety, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For the servants of God N. and N., who are now being joined to each other in the union of marriage, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That He will bless this marriage as He blessed that that in Cana of Galilee, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That He will grant unto them chastity, and the fruit of the womb, as is expedient for them, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That He will make them glad with the sight of sons and daughters, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That He will grant unto them the procreation of virtuous offspring, and an upright life, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That He will grant unto them and unto us all our petitions which are unto salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

Priest: For unto Thee is due all glory, honor and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy!

Then the Priest saith this prayer aloud:

Choir: Amen.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy!

Choir: Amen.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy!

Choir: Amen.

Priest: The servant of God, N., is crowned unto the handmaiden of God, N.; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: The handmaiden of God, N., is crowned unto the servant of God, N.; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Choir: Amen.

Then he blesseth them thrice, saying thrice:

Priest: O Lord our God, crown them with glory and honor.

Deacon: Let us attend.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

Reader: And to thy spirit.

Deacon: Wisdom!

Reader: The Prokimenon in the 8th Tone: Thou hast set upon their heads crowns of precious stones; they asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest them it.

Choir: Thou hast set upon their heads crowns of precious stones; they asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest them it.

Reader: For Thou shalt give them blessing for ever and ever, and Thou shalt gladden them in joy with Thy countenance.

Choir: Thou hast set upon their heads crowns of precious stones; they asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest them it.

Reader: Thou hast set upon their heads crowns of precious stones.

Choir: They asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest them it.

Deacon: Wisdom!

Reader: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Ephesians.

Deacon: Let us attend!

Reader: Brethren: Give thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Priest: Peace be unto thee.

Reader: And to thy spirit.

Deacon: Wisdom!

Reader: Alleluia in the 5th Tone: Thou, O Lord shalt keep us and shalt preserve us from this generation, and forevermore.

Choir: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Deacon: Wisdom! Aright! Let us hear the Holy Gospel.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

Choir: And to thy spirit.

Priest: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to John the Theologian [John 2:1-11].

Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee!

Priest: At that time: there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what is that to me and to thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee!

Deacon: Let us all say with our whole soul and with our whole mind, let us say.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: O Lord Almighty, the God of our fathers, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Deacon: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, and visitation for the servants of God, N. and N. (And here he also maketh mention of whomsoever else he will).

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Priest: For a merciful God art Thou, and the Lover of Mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: O Lord our God, Who in Thy saving providence didst vouchsafe by Thy presence in Cana of Galilee to declare marriage honorable: Do Thou Thyself, O Lord, now also maintain in peace and concord thy servants, N. and N., whom it hath pleased Thee to join together. Cause their marriage to be honorable. Preserve their bed undefiled. Be pleased to grant them to live together blameless; and vouchsafe them to attain to a ripe old age, walking in Thy commandments with a pure heart.

Choir: Amen.

Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: Pardon and remission of our sins and offences, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: Things good and profitable for souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: That we may complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: A Christian ending to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful, and a good defense before the dread judgment seat of Christ, let us ask.

Choir: Grant this, O Lord.

Deacon: Having asked for the unity of the faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commit ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

Priest: And vouchsafe us, O Master, with boldness and without condemnation to dare to call upon Thee the heavenly God as Father, and to say:

People: Our Father, who art in the Heavens,* hallowed be Thy name, Thy Kingdom come, * Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, * Give us this day our daily bread, * and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; * and lead us not into temptation, * but deliver us from the evil one.

Priest: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

Choir: And to thy spirit.

Deacon: Bow your heads unto the Lord.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: (Silently) O God, Who hast created all things by Thy might, and hast established the world, and hast adorned the crown of all things made by Thee: Bless now with Thy spiritual blessing this common cup, which Thou dost give to those who are now joined in the union of marriage.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: Be Thou exalted, O Bridegroom, like unto Abraham; and be thou blessed like unto Isaac; and do thou multiply like unto Jacob, walking in peace, and keeping the commandments of God in righteousness.

Priest: And thou, O Bride: Be thou exalted like unto Sarah; and exult thou, like unto Rebecca; and do thou multiply, like unto Rachel. Rejoice thou in thy husband, fulfilling the conditions of the law; for so it is well-pleasing unto God..

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: O God, our God, Who didst come to Cana of Galilee, and didst bless there the marriage feast: Bless also these Thy servants, who through Thy good providence are now joined together in wedlock. Bless their comings in and their goings out; fill their life with good things; receive their crowns into Thy kingdom, preserving them spotless, blameless, and without reproach, unto the ages.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

Choir: And to thy spirit.

Deacon: Bow your heads unto the Lord.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

Priest: May the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the all-holy, consubstantial, and life-creating Trinity, one Godhead and one Kingdom, bless you, and grant you length of days, fair children, good success in life and faith, and fulfill you with all good things on the earth, and vouchsafe you to obtain the blessings of the promise; through the intercessions of the Holy Theotokos and all the saints.

Choir: Amen.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: O Lord, our God, Who hast blessed the crown of the year, and permittest these crowns to be laid upon those who are united to each other by the law of marriage, and thus grantest unto them, as it were, a reward of chastity; for they are pure who are united in the marriage which thou hast made lawful: Do Thou Thyself bless also in the removal of these crowns those who have been united to each other, and preserve their union indissoluble; that they may ever more give thanks unto Thine all-holy name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

Choir: And to thy spirit.

Deacon: Bow your heads unto the Lord.

Choir: To Thee, O Lord.

Priest: These Thy servants having come together in concord, O Lord, and having accomplished the order of marriage, as at Cana of Galilee, and having contracted the pledges thereof, send up glory to Thee: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Deacon: Wisdom!

Priest: O most holy Theotokos, save us.

Choir: More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim; who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.

Priest: Glory to Thee, O Christ God, our hope, glory to Thee.

Choir: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Priest: May Christ our true God, Who by His presence at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee did declare marriage to be an honorable estate, through the intercessions of His most pure Mother; of the holy and glorious apostles; of the holy God-crowned Monarchs and Equals-of-the-Apostles, Constantine and Helen; of the holy Great-martyr Procopius; and of all the saints: have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and loveth mankind.

Choir: Amen.

Deacon: A prosperous and peaceful life, health and salvation, and good success in all things, grant, O Lord, to Thy newly-wedded servants, N., and N., and preserve them for many years!

Choir: Many Years! Thrice.