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ABBA MINISTRIES OF CANADA
IN THE SERVICE OF CHRIST...
ABBA PASTORS SHARE THEIR WISDOM
AND INSIGHT
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Liturgy - the Choice is Yours!
by Reverend Malachy Egan, 2006
A number of years ago we were approached by a groom-to-be with regard to officiating at his wedding. It is usually the bride who is the first point of contact, and when we finally met it was obvious that there had been some serious stumbling blocks upon the road to formalizing the state of married bliss.
In this instance, our groom's problem transpired to be a common one, but with an uncommon side effect. John had grown up rather casually aligned to the Anglican Church, he did not attend church; in addition, he had been divorced quite a number of years ago. His bride to be, Jennifer, was never married and her Spiritual connection was to the Eastern Orthodox Church. Now, the Anglican reaction to divorce can be reconciliatory [depending somewhat on the local priest and bishop]; however, the Eastern Orthodox Church, which is in full communion with Rome, has very strict rules which require at best a lengthy ecclesiastical trial: a procedure leading to a possible annulment of the previous marriage, which the church considered an impassable impediment to John and Jennifer's upcoming nuptials.
Our church, Saint Mary Magdalene, Halifax is part of Abba Ministries of Canada, a unique group of Christian volunteer clergy, whose philosophy can be summed up quite simply: we are inclusive and non judgmental, so when it comes to weddings we respect the bride's wishes and we work with the couple to ensure that their Spiritual needs are satisfied.
Betrothal and Crowning
In truth, Jennifer did not consider herself very 'churchy' either, but she did have a deep spiritual connection to God, and that connection was defined by the Eastern Rite, which she had grown up with.
From our own perspective at Saint Mary Magdalene, we are often approached by couples who feel that they are either not entitled to a 'church wedding', or who believe that their only option is a civil ceremony. Not so, there is no copyright on liturgy and, in our humble opinion, far too many couples are turned away by this church or that; often on the flimsiest pretext.
Both of our active clergy are from the Mass tradition: Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland and so are not strangers to the Sacrament of Marriage and the Nuptial Mass from either of those Churches; in fact; one of our most popular ceremonies is that which we call 'Christian Short Form', a traditional Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran marriage ceremony without the Eucharist [Holy Communion], but the Eastern Orthodox Rite is very, very different.
Jennifer, John and their immediate family attended our church the night before their wedding for a private pre-nuptial mass. The next day their betrothal took place in the Narthex of the church, just inside the great door, complete with triple blessings and prayers. A beautiful touch was an ancient crucifix from Russia: an icon that belonged to Jennifer's babushka: her grandmother.
After the betrothal and the exchange of rings Jennifer and John processed to the main altar, led by the officiating priest; here, their hands were bound together by a traditional rushnyk [embroidered cloth] and the heads were crowned with wreaths of myrtle. Carrying lighted tapers, the priest led them thrice around the altar, joining them body and soul for ever in the presence of God.
This was a beautiful, moving ceremony, and a fitting beginning to this couple's life together as husband and wife. Above all, it was what they wanted: it was their tradition and they were happy and comfortable with it.
This must be every bride's right: on her special day nothing and nobody has the right to stand in the way. Those whom God has brought together, let no man stand in judgment of them, and once they are married let no man put them asunder!
Photo Credit [below]: Moments in Time Photography, Halifax. www.mitphotography.ca. Tel: 902. 830. 7796
