The Holy Mystery of Matrimony begins with the rite of betrothal at the entrance of the Church. The couple stand side by side before the priest, who represents our Lord Himself - the One who has brought them together and guided them to take this step. They enter from the west going toward the east - symbolically from the darkness of sin and alienation, to the light of love and union - a unity in diversity, in which the two will become one while remaining two distinct beings.

The priests asks if it is of their own will that they wish to marry and if they are being faithful to promises they have made. Freedom and fidelity are essential attributes to a lasting marriage. The priest places rings on the the ring finger of their right hands and the couple exchanges these rings, for the bride's ring has been placed upon the groom's hand and vice versa. For you see, the Lord gives us the grace of Matrimony, but we also must make it our own by our own actions and orientation.

Holding each other's hand - as in a fraternal handshake, covered by the priest's stole, the protection of the Lord, they move deeper into the Church - deeper into the Mystery of loving union in God and stand before the Tetrapod. This is a table before the Iconastasis which represents the Holy Table, just as the Holy Table represents the Mystical Presence of God Himself behind the Iconastasis. It is at this Tetrapod, the type of the Holy Table at which the rite of Matrimony takes place.

The couple are given candles to hold as a symbol of the purity of their love and faith in God and each other. In our Ukrainian tradition they stand upon embroidered towels, provided by their families to show that they are walking upon a good path which has already been trod by those who have gone before and serve as examples and witnesses to encourage them to be faithful and loving to each other.

Crowns are placed over their heads - symbols of martyrdom, for they are to die to themselves and find new life in this union where each loves the other as Christ loves the Church and finds a new identity in this loving surrender. There is also the aura of authority about these crowns which are usually held above the heads rather than placed outright to show that something is given which is yet to be attained.

The Gospel is read over their heads, which are as an Altar upon which it shall find a distinguished place throughout their lives as they strive to seek and to do the will of the Lord which it proclaims.

Their hands are bound together - also by an embroidered towel, the symbolism of which is obvious! While their hands are so bound they partake of a cup of wine mingled with water - a symbol of the Eucharist, the epitome of the mystical union Christ gives us with God and each other (the couple should have received the Eucharist together in preparation for the Mystery of Matrimony - at one time this reception of the Eucharist together was the substance of the Mystery of Matrimony itself).

They walk about the Tetrapod three times, led by the priest as the choir sings hymns about Isaiah's dance of joy, the martyrs' testimony and the glory of the Trinity -God, Who has made us to be perfectly one in diversity, just as He is One and Three at one and the same time. "The two shall be one and the one shall be two."

The crowns are removed and the couple receives a blessing with Holy Icons, which then become a continual Altar for them in their homes, before which they can come and renew their commitment and pray for guidance and strength for each other throughout their lives. They exchange a holy kiss as the congregation sings "Many years" to them.

This is essentially the rite of Matrimony as it is practiced in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Some variations do occur depending upon local custom and the inspiration and experience of the celebrant. The symbols, too, are much more profound than we can elaborate here. Those who are alert in humility and wonder will discover ever so much more as they themselves participate in this wonderful Mystery and as they assist in others' embarkment upon this joyous and challenging adventure which has been and shall always be one of the Lord's greatest blessings to the human race.