The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony
Service of Betrothal
After the divine Liturgy, with the Priest standing in the Sanctuary, those who are to be joined take their stand before the Holy Doors, with the man on the right and the woman on the left. On the right side of the Holy Table are placed their two rings, one of gold and the other of silver. The silver one towards the right and the gold towards the left, close to each other. The Priest, having come into the narthex, signs the heads of those who are to be married three times and gives them lighted candles. He leads them into the Church and censes in the form of a cross.
The Priest questions them and asks the bride if she wishes to marry the groom, and likewise if the groom wishes to marry the bride.
Then, if there is a Deacon, he says:
DEACON
DIACRE
Master, give the blessing.
Bénis, père.
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
Blessed is our God, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
Béni soit notre Dieu en tout temps, maintenant et toujours et aux siècles des siècles.
( Amen. )
( Amen. )
DEACON
DIACRE
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
En paix, prions le Seigneur.
( Lord, have mercy. )
( Seigneur, aie pitié. )
For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
Pour la paix d’en haut et le salut de nos âmes, prions le Seigneur.
For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy Churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Pour la paix du monde entier, la stabilité des saintes Églises de Dieu et l’union de tous, prions le Seigneur.
For this holy house, and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
Pour cette sainte maison, ceux qui y pénètrent avec foi, piété et crainte de Dieu, prions le Seigneur.
For our Archbishop N, for the honoured order of presbyters, for the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
Pour notre père et bienheureux patriarche (métropolite) N..., notre évêque N..., l’ordre vénérable des prêtres, le diaconat en Christ, pour tout le clergé et le peuple, prions le Seigneur.
For the servant of God N. and the servant of God M., who are now being betrothed to one another, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
That they may be granted children for the continuation of the race and all their requests that are for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
That there may sent down to them perfect and peaceful love and help, let us pray to the Lord.
That they may be kept in concord and sure faith, let us pray to the Lord.
That they may be blessed with concord and sure faith, let us pray to the Lord.
That they may be preserved with a blameless manner and way of life, let us pray to the Lord.
That the Lord, our God, may grant them honourable marriage and a bed without defilement, let us pray to the Lord.
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and constraint, let us pray to the Lord.
Pour qu’te nous délivre de toute affliction, colère, péril et nécessité, prions le Seigneur.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by your grace.
Secours-nous, sauve-nous, aie pitié de nous et garde-nous, ô Dieu par ta grâce.
Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
Faisant mémoire de la toute sainte, toute pure, bénie par-dessus tout, notre glorieuse Souveraine la Mère de Dieu et toujours Vierge Marie, avec tous les saints, confions-nous nous-mêmes et les uns les autres et toute notre vie au Christ notre Dieu.
( To you, O Lord. )
( A toi, Seigneur. )
For to you belong all glory, honour and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
Car à toi conviennent tout honneur, gloire et adoration, Père, Fils et Saint Esprit, maintenant et toujours et aux siècles des siècles.
( Amen. )
( Amen. )
DEACON
DIACRE
Let us pray to the Lord.
Prions le Seigneur.
( Lord, have mercy. )
( Seigneur, aie pitié. )
The Priest says the following Prayer out loud:
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
Eternal God, who brought into unity what had been separated and establish an unbreakable bond of agreement; who blessed Isaac and Rebecca, and declared them to be the heirs of your promise; bless these servants of yours also, guiding them in every good work.
For you, O God, are merciful, and love mankind, and to you we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
Car tu es un Dieu miséricordieux et ami des hommes, et nous te rendons gloire, Père, Fils et Saint Esprit, maintenant et toujours et aux siècles des siècles.
( Amen. )
( Amen. )
Peace to all.
Paix à tous.
( And to your spirit. )
( Et à ton esprit. )
DEACON
DIACRE
Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
Inclinez la tête devant le Seigneur.
( To you, O Lord. )
( A toi, Seigneur. )
The Priest prays:
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
Lord, our God, who once betrothed yourself to the Church from the nations as a pure virgin, bless this betrothal, and unite and preserve these servants of yours in peace and concord.
For to you belong all glory, honour and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
Car à toi conviennent tout honneur, gloire et adoration, Père, Fils et Saint Esprit, maintenant et toujours et aux siècles des siècles.
( Amen. )
( Amen. )
Then the Priest, having taken the rings on the dish, gives first to the man the gold one and says three times, as he makes the sign of the Cross with the ring on his forehead:
The servant of God N. betroths himself to the servant of God M., in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. ( Amen. ) (three times).
( Amen. ) (3 fois)
Then, having taken the silver ring, he does the same to the woman, saying:
The servant of God N. betroths herself to the servant of God M., in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. ( Amen. ) (three times).
( Amen. ) (3 fois)
And when he has spoken three times to each of them he makes the sign of the Cross with the ring on their foreheads and places the rings on their right fingers.
Then the Best Man changes the rings.
DEACON
DIACRE
Let us pray to the Lord.
Prions le Seigneur.
( Lord, have mercy. )
( Seigneur, aie pitié. )
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
Lord our God, you journeyed with the servant of the Patriarch Abraham in Mesopotamia when he was sent to obtain a wife for his lord Isaac, and by means of drawing water you revealed that he should betroth Rebecca. Bless the betrothal of your servants N. and M. and make firm the word that they have spoken. Confirm them with the holy unity that comes from you. For it was you who in the beginning created male and female, and it is by you that woman is linked to man as a helper and for the continuation of the human race. Therefore, Lord our God, who sent truth out to your inheritance and your promise to your servants, our fathers, your elect in every generation, look on your servant N. and your servant M., and make firm their betrothal in faith and concord and truth and love. For it is you, Lord, who declared that times a pledge is to be given and made firm in everything. By a ring authority was given to Joseph in Egypt. By a ring Daniel was glorified in the country of Babylon. By a ring the truth of Thamar was revealed. By a ring our heavenly Father showed compassion to the prodigal son. For he said, ‘Put a ring on his hand and bring out and slay the fatted calf, and let us eat and be joyful’. It was your right hand, Lord, that armed Moses at the Red Sea, for through your true word the heavens were made firm and the earth set on its foundations. And the right hand of your servants will be blessed by your mighty word and by your upraised arm. Therefore, Master, with your heavenly blessing now bless also this putting-on of rings. And may an Angel of the Lord go before them all the days of their lives.
For you are the One who blesses and sanctifies all things, and to you we give glory, to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
( Amen. )
( Amen. )
Then Litany and Dismissal.
Service of Crowning or Marriage
If they wish to be crowned on the same occasion, they remain in the Church and the service of Crowning begins. If they wish to be crowned after some days, they enter the Church from the Narthex with lighted candles, preceded by the Priest, with the censer, singing:
Psalm 127
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
PEOPLE
CHOEUR
Glory to you, our God, glory to you.
Gloire à toi, notre Dieu, gloire à toi.
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
PEOPLE
CHOEUR
Glory to you, our God, glory to you.
Gloire à toi, notre Dieu, gloire à toi.
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
PEOPLE
CHOEUR
Glory to you, our God, glory to you.
Gloire à toi, notre Dieu, gloire à toi.
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
PEOPLE
CHOEUR
Glory to you, our God, glory to you.
Gloire à toi, notre Dieu, gloire à toi.
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
PEOPLE
CHOEUR
Glory to you, our God, glory to you.
Gloire à toi, notre Dieu, gloire à toi.
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
PEOPLE
CHOEUR
Glory to you, our God, glory to you.
Gloire à toi, notre Dieu, gloire à toi.
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.
PEOPLE
CHOEUR
Glory to you, our God, glory to you.
Gloire à toi, notre Dieu, gloire à toi.
May the Lord bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life;
PEOPLE
CHOEUR
Glory to you, our God, glory to you.
Gloire à toi, notre Dieu, gloire à toi.
And may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel.
PEOPLE
CHOEUR
Glory to you, our God, glory to you.
Gloire à toi, notre Dieu, gloire à toi.
DEACON
DIACRE
Master, give the blessing.
Bénis, père.
The Priest, facing East and lifting up the book of the Gospel as usual, says in a clear voice:
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
( Amen. )
( Amen. )
[During the Paschal period, i.e. from Pascha until the Ascension, Christ has risen from the dead, by death he has trampled on death, and to those in the graves given life. is sung three times.]
DEACON
DIACRE
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
En paix, prions le Seigneur.
( Lord, have mercy. )
( Seigneur, aie pitié. )
For the peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
Pour la paix d’en haut et le salut de nos âmes, prions le Seigneur.
For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy Churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Pour la paix du monde entier, la stabilité des saintes Églises de Dieu et l’union de tous, prions le Seigneur.
For this holy house, and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
Pour cette sainte maison, ceux qui y pénètrent avec foi, piété et crainte de Dieu, prions le Seigneur.
For our Bishop (or Archbishop) (name) for the honoured order of presbyters, for the diaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord.
de notre patriarche (métropolite)
For the servants of God N. and M., who are now being joined with one another in the communion of marriage, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
For this marriage to be blessed like that in Cana of Galilee let us pray to the Lord.
For them to be granted chastity and the fruit of the womb as may be expedient for them, let us pray to the Lord.
For them to be given the joy of seeing sons and daughters, let us pray to the Lord.
For them to be granted the delight of the blessing of children and a life without accusation, let us pray to the Lord.
For us and them to be given every request that is for salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
For their and our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger and constraint, let us pray to the Lord.
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by your grace.
Secours-nous, sauve-nous, aie pitié de nous et garde-nous, ô Dieu par ta grâce.
Commemorating our all-holy, pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
Faisant mémoire de la toute sainte, toute pure, bénie par-dessus tout, notre glorieuse Souveraine la Mère de Dieu et toujours Vierge Marie, avec tous les saints, confions-nous nous-mêmes et les uns les autres et toute notre vie au Christ notre Dieu.
( To you, O Lord. )
( A toi, Seigneur. )
For to you belong all glory, honour and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
Car à toi conviennent tout honneur, gloire et adoration, Père, Fils et Saint Esprit, maintenant et toujours et aux siècles des siècles.
( Amen. )
( Amen. )
DEACON
DIACRE
Let us pray to the Lord.
Prions le Seigneur.
( Lord, have mercy. )
( Seigneur, aie pitié. )
The Priest says the following prayer out loud:
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
God most pure, Author of all creation, through your love for mankind you transformed the rib of our forefather Adam into a woman and blessed them saying, ‘Increase and multiply and have dominion over the earth’, and declared them both to be one through wedlock, ‘for because of this a man will abandon his father and mother and be attached to his own wife, and the two shall become one flesh’ and ‘those whom God has joined together, let no human separate’.
You gave Isaac to Rebecca and blessed her offspring.
You joined Jacob with Rachel and from him revealed the Twelve Patriarchs.
You yoked together Joseph and Aseneth and gave them as the fruit of their union Ephraim and Manassee.
You accepted Zachary and Elisabeth and declared their offspring to be the Forerunner.
You made the Ever-Virgin spring from the root of Jesse according to the flesh, and from her you became incarnate and were born for the salvation of the human race.
Through your ineffable gift and great goodness you were present in Cana of Galilee and blessed the marriage there, to show that lawful wedlock and the begetting of children that comes from it is your will.
All-holy Master, accept the entreaty of us, your suppliants, and, as you were present there, be present here also with your invisible protection.
Bless this marriage and grant to these servants of yours, N. and M., a peaceful life, length of days, chastity, love for each other in the bond of peace, long-lived offspring, grace in their children and an unfading crown of glory.
Grant that they may see their children’s children.
Preserve their marriage bed unassailed.
Give them of the dew of heaven from on high and of the richness of the earth.
Fill their houses with wheat, wine and oil and every good thing, so that they may also share them with those in need.
Grant also to those here with them all their requests that are for salvation. Because you are a God of mercy and compassion and love for humankind, and to you we give glory, together with your Father who has no beginning, and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
( Amen. )
( Amen. )
DEACON
DIACRE
Let us pray to the Lord.
Prions le Seigneur.
( Lord, have mercy. )
( Seigneur, aie pitié. )
The Priest says the following prayer out loud:
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
Blessed are you, Lord our God, sacred Celebrant of the mystical and most pure marriage, Lawgiver of bodily marriage, Guardian of incorruption, loving Steward of our livelihood. In the beginning, Master, you fashioned man and established him as king of creation, and said, ‘It is not good for man to be alone on the earth. Let us make him a helper like himself.’ And taking one of his ribs you fashioned a woman. When Adam saw her he said, ‘Now this is bone from my bones and flesh from my flesh. She will be called ‘woman’ because she was taken from her man. For this reason a man will leave behind his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’. And ‘Those whom God has joined together, let no human separate’. Now, Master, Lord our God, send down your heavenly grace also on these servants of yours, N. and M., and grant that this handmaid of yours may be subject in all things to her husband and that this servant of yours may be the head of his wife, so that they may live in accordance with your will.
Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Abraham and Sara.
Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Isaac and Rebecca.
Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Jacob and all the Patriarchs.
Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Joseph and Aseneth.
Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Moses and Sepphora.
Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Joachim and Anna.
Bless them, Lord our God, as you blessed Zachary and Elisabeth.
Preserve them, Lord our God, as you preserved Noë in the Ark.
Preserve them, Lord our God, as you preserved Jonas in the belly of the whale.
Preserve them, Lord our God, as you preserved the three holy Youths from the fire, by sending down on them dew from heaven.
And let the joy come upon them that the blessed Helen had when she found the precious Cross.
Remember them, Lord our God, as you remembered Enoch, Sem and Elias.
Remember them, Lord our God, as you remembered the holy Forty Martyrs, sending down on them crowns from heaven.
Remember also, Lord our God, the parents who have brought them up, for the prayers of parents make firm the foundations of households.
Remember, Lord our God, your servants the groomsmen and bridesmaids, who have come together to share this joy.
Remember, Lord our God, your servant N. and your servant M., and bless them.
Give them the fruit of the womb, fair offspring, concord of soul and body.
Exalt them like the cedars of Lebanon, like a well-cultured vine.
Grant then rich harvest, so that, having all sufficiency for themselves, they may overflow into every good work that is also well-pleasing to you, and that they may see their children’s children like newly planted olive trees all around their table. And, having been well pleasing to you, may they shine like beacons in heaven, in you our Lord, to whom belong all glory might, honour and worship, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
( Amen. )
( Amen. )
DEACON
DIACRE
Let us pray to the Lord.
Prions le Seigneur.
( Lord, have mercy. )
( Seigneur, aie pitié. )
And again, The Priest says the following prayer out loud:
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
Holy God, who fashioned man from dust, and from his rib built up a woman and yoked her to him as a helper like himself, for it was not pleasing to your greatness for man to be alone on earth, do you, Master, now send forth your hand from your holy dwelling, and link [Here the Priest joins their right hands.] your servant N. and your servant M., because it is by you that a wife is linked to her husband. Yoke them together in likeness of mind. Crown them into one flesh. Grant them fruit of the womb, enjoyment of fair offspring.
For yours is the might, and yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
Car à toi appartiennent la force, le règne, la puissance et la gloire, Père, Fils et Saint Esprit, maintenant et toujours et aux siècles des siècles.
( Amen. )
( Amen. )
The Priest takes the Crowns and first crowns the Bridegroom, saying:
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
The servant of God, N., takes as his crown the servant of God, M., in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. ( Amen. ) (three times).
( Amen. ) (3 fois)
He says this three times as he makes the sign of the Cross on each of them.
Then the Priest crowns the Bride, saying:
The servant of God, M., takes as her crown the servant of God, N., in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. ( Amen. ) (three times).
( Amen. ) (3 fois)
He says this three times as he makes the sign of the Cross on each of them.
Then he places the crowns on the heads of the Bride and Groom, chanting three times:
Lord our God, crown them with honour and glory. [EL]
[[FRA]]
The Readings from the New Testament
DEACON
DIACRE
Let us attend.
Soyons attentifs.
Prokeimenon Tone 8. Psalm 20
PSAUME 20
READER
LECTEUR
Verse:
DEACON
DIACRE
Wisdom.
Sagesse.
READER
LECTEUR
The reading is from the Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians.
DEACON
DIACRE
Let us attend.
Soyons attentifs.
READER
LECTEUR
[[FRA]]
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
Peace to you.
Paix à toi qui as lu.
READER
LECTEUR
And to your spirit.
Et à ton esprit.
PEOPLE
CHOEUR
Alleluia. Tone 8.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. [EL]
Alléluia, alléluia, alléluia. [[FRA]]
Verse 1:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. [EL]
Alléluia, alléluia, alléluia. [[FRA]]
Verse 1:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. [EL]
Alléluia, alléluia, alléluia. [[FRA]]
DEACON
DIACRE
Wisdom. Stand upright. Let us listen to the Holy Gospel.
Sagesse. Tenons-nous droit. Écoutons le saint Évangile.
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
Peace to all.
Paix à tous.
( And to your spirit. )
( Et à ton esprit. )
The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to John. .
Lecture du saint Évangile selon Saint ...
DEACON
DIACRE
Let us attend.
Soyons attentifs.
( Glory to you, O Lord, glory to you. )
( Gloire à toi, Seigneur, gloire à toi. )
2:1 – 11
At that time, there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the wedding, with his disciples. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast.” So they took it. When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
( Glory to you, O Lord, glory to you. )
( Gloire à toi, Seigneur, gloire à toi. )
DEACON
DIACRE
Have mercy on us, O God, according to your great mercy, we pray you, hear and have mercy.
Aie pitié de nous, ô Dieu, dans ta grande miséricorde, nous t’en prions, écoute-nous et prends pitié de nous.
( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )
( Seigneur, aie pitié. Seigneur, aie pitié. Seigneur, aie pitié. )
Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, pardon and forgiveness of sins for the servants of God, N. and M., and for the people here present, who await your great and rich mercy.
( Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. )
( Seigneur, aie pitié. Seigneur, aie pitié. Seigneur, aie pitié. )
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
For you, O God, are merciful, and love mankind, and to you we give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
Car tu es un Dieu miséricordieux et ami des hommes, et nous te rendons gloire, Père, Fils et Saint Esprit, maintenant et toujours et aux siècles des siècles.
( Amen. )
( Amen. )
DEACON
DIACRE
Let us pray to the Lord.
Prions le Seigneur.
( Lord, have mercy. )
( Seigneur, aie pitié. )
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
Lord, our God, who in your saving dispensation were pleased in Cana of Galilee to declare marriage honourable by your presence, now too preserve in peace and concord your servants, N. and M., whom you have been well-pleased to be joined to each another. Declare their marriage honourable; keep their marriage bed undefiled; be well pleased for their life together to be without spot; and grant that they may reach a ripe old age, carrying out your commandments with a pure heart.
For you are our God, a God who has mercy and who saves, and to you we give glory, together with your Father who has no beginning, and your all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
( Amen. )
( Amen. )
DEACON
DIACRE
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by your grace.
Secours-nous, sauve-nous, aie pitié de nous et garde-nous, ô Dieu par ta grâce.
( Lord, have mercy. )
( Seigneur, aie pitié. )
That the whole day may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.
Que ce jour entier soit parfait, saint, paisible et sans péché, demandons au Seigneur.
( Grant this, O Lord. )
( Accorde, Seigneur. )
An angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.
Un ange de paix, guide fidèle, gardien de nos âmes et de nos corps, demandons au Seigneur.
( Grant this, O Lord. )
( Accorde, Seigneur. )
Pardon and forgiveness of our sins and offences, let us ask of the Lord.
Le pardon et la rémission de nos péchés et de nos transgressions, demandons au Seigneur.
( Grant this, O Lord. )
( Accorde, Seigneur. )
Those things that are good and profitable for our souls, and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.
Les biens utiles à nos âmes et la paix du monde, demandons au Seigneur.
( Grant this, O Lord. )
( Accorde, Seigneur. )
That we may live out the rest of our days in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.
D’achever le reste de notre vie dans la paix et la pénitence, demandons au Seigneur.
( Grant this, O Lord. )
( Accorde, Seigneur. )
A Christian end to our life, painless, unashamed and peaceful, and a good defence before the dread judgement seat of Christ, let us ask.
Une fin chrétienne, paisible, sans douleur, sans reproche et une bonne défense devant le redoutable tribunal du Christ, demandons au Seigneur.
( Grant this, O Lord. )
( Accorde, Seigneur. )
Having asked for the unity of the faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us entrust ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ, our God.
Ayant demandé l’unité de la foi et la communion du Saint Esprit, confions-nous nous-mêmes, les uns les autres, et toute notre vie au Christ notre Dieu.
( To you, O Lord. )
( A toi, Seigneur. )
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
And count us worthy, Master, with confidence and without condemnation to dare to call upon you, the God of heaven, as Father, and to say:
Et rends-nous dignes, Maître, d’oser avec confiance et sans condamnation te nommer Père, toi le Dieu du ciel, et dire:
PEOPLE
TOUS
Our Father, in heaven, may your name be sanctified, your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Notre Père qui es aux cieux, que ton Nom soit sanctifié, <br> que ton règne arrive, que ta volonté soit faite sur la terre comme au ciel. <br> Donne-nous aujourd’hui notre pain substantiel <br> et remets-nous nos dettes comme nous remettons à nos débiteurs, <br> et ne nous soumets pas à l’épreuve mais délivre-nous du malin.
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
Car c''est à toi qu''appartiennent le règne, la puissance et la gloire, Père, Fils et Saint Esprit, maintenant et toujours et aux siècles des siècles.
( Amen. )
( Amen. )
Peace to all.
Paix à tous.
( And to your spirit. )
( Et à ton esprit. )
Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
Inclinez la tête devant le Seigneur.
DEACON
DIACRE
( To you, O Lord. )
( A toi, Seigneur. )
The common Cup is offered.
DEACON
DIACRE
Let us pray to the Lord.
Prions le Seigneur.
( Lord, have mercy. )
( Seigneur, aie pitié. )
The Priest, blessing the Cup, says this prayer:
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
O God, who made all things by your strength, who made the inhabited world firm and adorned the crown of all that had been made by you, bless too with your spiritual blessing this common Cup, which you grant to those who have been joined in the communion of marriage.
For blessed is your name and glorified your kingdom, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
( Amen. )
( Amen. )
Then the Priest, taking the Cup in his hands, gives them to drink from it three times; first to the husband and then to the wife, as he chants in the 1st Tone:
PEOPLE
CHOEUR
Alleluia.
[[FRA]]
And the Priest at once takes them, while the Best man holds the crowns behind and over them, and leads them in a circle round the table three times.
Meanwhile the Singers chant the following Troparia.
Tone 5.
O Isaias, dance! The Virgin has conceived, and she has borne a Son, Emmanuel, who is both God and man; and Orient is his name; whom we magnify, as we call the Virgin blessed. [EL]
[[FRA]]
Tone 7
Holy Martyrs, who struggled well and have been crowned, intercede to the Lord to have mercy on our souls. [EL]
[[FRA]]
Tone 7
Glory to you, Christ God, boast of Apostles, joy of martyrs, whose preaching is the consubstantial Trinity. [EL]
[[FRA]]
Then the Priest raises the crowns.
First that of the Groom, saying:
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
Bridegroom, be magnified like Abraham, blessed like Isaac and multiplied like Jacob, as you go your way in peace and carry out in righteousness the commandments of God.
Then that of the Bride, saying:
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
And you, Bride, be magnified like Sara, and rejoice like Rebecca and be multiplied like Rachel, rejoicing in your own husband, keeping the limits of the law, for so God has been well-pleased.
DEACON
DIACRE
Let us pray to the Lord.
Prions le Seigneur.
( Lord, have mercy. )
( Seigneur, aie pitié. )
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
God, our God, who were present in Cana of Galilee, and blessed the marriage there, bless these servants of yours also, who by your providence have been joined in the communion of marriage. Bless their goings out and their comings in. Fill their life with good things. Take up their crowns [Here the Priest takes the crowns from the heads of the couple and places them on the table] in your Kingdom, unspotted and unblemished, and keep them without offence to the ages of ages.
( Amen. )
( Amen. )
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
Peace to all.
Paix à tous.
( And to your spirit. )
( Et à ton esprit. )
DEACON
DIACRE
Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
Inclinez la tête devant le Seigneur.
( To you, O Lord. )
( A toi, Seigneur. )
The Priest prays:
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
May Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the all-holy, consubstantial Trinity, origin of life, the one Godhead and Kingship, bless you and grant you long life, fair offspring, progress in life and faith, and fill you with every good thing on earth, and count you worthy of the promised good things of the enjoyment [of heaven], at the prayers of the Mother of God and of all the Saints.
( Amen. )
( Amen. )
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
Glory to you, Christ God, our hope, glory to you.
Gloire à toi, ô Christ notre Dieu, gloire à toi.
READER
LECTEUR
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Holy father, give the blessing.
Seigneur, aie pitié. Seigneur, aie pitié. Seigneur, aie pitié. Père, bénis.
May he who by his presence at Cana declared marriage honourable, Christ our true God, through the prayers of his all-pure Mother, of the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostles, of the holy Sovereigns crowned by God and Equals of the Apostles, Constantine and Helen, of the holy great Martyr Prokopios and all the Saints, have mercy on us and save us, for he is good and loves mankind.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy upon us.
Par les prières de nos saints Pères, Seigneur Jésus Christ notre Dieu, aie pitié de nous et sauve-nous.
( Amen. )
( Amen. )
Prayer for the Untying of Crowns on the Eighth Day
Lord our God, who blessed the crown of the year and granted that the present crowns be placed on those who are joined with one another by the law of marriage and apportion to them, as it were, the reward of chaste living, for those who have been joined together in the marriage which you have ordained are pure, do you yourself, by the untying of these present crowns, also bless those who have been joined to each other and keep their union indissoluble, that they may at all times give thanks to your all-holy Name, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and to the ages of ages.
READER
LECTEUR
Amen.
Amen.
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
Peace to all.
Paix à tous.
READER
LECTEUR
And to your spirit.
Et à ton esprit.
DEACON
DIACRE
Bow your heads to the Lord.
READER
LECTEUR
To you, O Lord.
A toi, Seigneur.
PRIEST
PRÊTRE
We your servants, Lord, having coming come together in concord, accomplished the office of the marriage in Cana of Galilee and removed the symbols concerning it, give glory to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and to the ages of ages.
READER
LECTEUR
Amen.
Amen.
And the Dismissal.