Getting married is a serious matter, and I want future Orthodox families not to have anything overshadow the beginning of their life together. What if the bride and groom have chosen a wedding date, and it falls during Orthodox Lent?
Let's find out the church's opinion on whether it is possible to sign for fasting.
Orthodox fasting is not only a refusal of animal food. This is a spiritual practice that contains several abstinences at once:
- from lust;
- from bad words, deeds and thoughts;
- from oversaturation with any other food;
- from any passion that causes bodily dependence.
Lenten food is a diet without the use of meat and dairy products, eggs, and sometimes vegetable oil.
During the year, the church calendar indicates 3 one-day fasts, 4 multi-day fasts and a fast every Wednesday and Friday.
Multi-day posts:
- Great - from March 11 to April 27;
- Petrov - from June 24 to July 11;
- Uspensky - from August 14 to 27;
- Rozhdestvensky - from November 28 to January 6.
One-day: January 18, September 11 and September 27.
It is forbidden to have a wedding during Lent - this is the unanimous opinion of the clergy
Since fasting is a time of spiritual correction and detachment from all temptations, no holidays are possible during this period.
Most often, the bride and groom do not know all the church rules.
Parents must explain to the bride and groom why they cannot get married during Lent.
Although some confessors allow, in exceptional cases, to register a marriage in the registry office on fasting days. But no celebrations or feasts are allowed. Especially if registration is carried out during Lent, which takes place before Easter.
These are very rare situations and on these days people sign their names quietly and modestly, and preserve chastity until the wedding ceremony, which is carried out after the end of Lent.
Weddings are also not held before the great and twelfth church holidays on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; and before some other temple holidays. You need to find out more about these dates directly from the church.
Why you can't get married before Easter
Many newlyweds who face criticism from relatives sincerely do not understand why they cannot get married during Lent before Easter. The reason is very simple. It lies in strict church traditions and customs. In this case, there is a ban on holding and attending entertainment events.
The second is the main one; it is believed that during fasting before the wedding it is necessary to refuse to show love. Of course, this is not possible for people who have just gotten married. Especially if it concerns a young couple.
Even for couples who have been in a relationship for a long time, the church recommends that they refrain from displays of tender feelings and intimacy. This abstinence is supposed to be a great test of the relationship. The priests are also convinced that observing all traditions is a tribute to God.
Obviously ! When deciding whether it is possible to get married during Lent before Easter in 2021, you should listen only to yourself and your partner.
Weddings during fasting are strictly prohibited according to the rules in all churches.
The sacrament of marriage and wedding are a joyful event that is incompatible with fasting, when people spend time in repentance and contrition for sins.
In addition, after this ritual, marital intimacy is expected, which is prohibited during fasting and abstinence is recommended.
Through the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds confirm their love on a spiritual level and become spouses.
During the sacrament, Divine grace descends on the bride and groom, which blesses the marriage and helps them remain faithful to each other.
To organize a wedding ceremony, there is a special Orthodox calendar, which is established by the highest ranks of the church and indicates on which days the event can be held.
124
how many days are suitable for a wedding in 2021
For example, in 2021, out of 365 days, only 124 days are allowed for the Sacrament of Wedding.
The priests consider the most suitable days for organizing the celebration to be the Days of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, which in 2021 fall on June 21 and November 4.
And also Krasnaya Gorka - the first Sunday after Easter - May 5th.
The name Red Hill in Rus' came from paganism, when the beginning of spring was celebrated
The bishop of the church may allow the Sacrament of Wedding to be performed during Lent, but only for an exceptional reason, for example, if the groom urgently leaves for the army or war. Such situations have occurred in church practice, but these are isolated cases.
Is it possible to celebrate a wedding before Easter?
Many believing couples who want to unite themselves in sacred marriage wonder whether a wedding before Easter is allowed.
After all, this is one of the most important and responsible days in the life of both women and men. In the modern world, young people think less and less about church rules, neglecting Orthodox traditions. Of course, there are no clear guidelines for everyone on this matter. Despite this, the signs and rituals of weddings have been preserved to this day, so it would be good to plan such a celebration in time in relation to the Holy Day. How much do you know about Easter? Take the test RIGHT NOW ⚓
Wedding before and after Easter - when and is it possible?
Centuries-old folk traditions do not recommend holding weddings during Lent before Easter, although there are no state or church regulations on this matter. Church canons strictly regulate the days when wedding ceremonies cannot be held according to the church wedding calendar. But you don't have to get married on your wedding day. Prohibited and permitted days for the ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage are determined according to the annual church calendar. For example, in 2015 Easter was April 12th. The last day when it was possible to get married before Easter was February 13, the first day after Easter was April 20. If a wedding took place between these dates, the wedding had to be postponed until at least April 20. In exceptional cases, to conduct a wedding ceremony on prohibited days, the permission of the ruling hierarch is required; the priest of the temple does not have the right to independently decide such an issue.
Folk traditions allow newlyweds to get rid of a number of inconveniences of holding weddings during fasting days:
- The need to determine the number of guests observing fasting and to calculate the menu with the fast and lenten dishes allowed for them on the wedding day;
- Carrying out wedding celebrations and wedding ceremonies on different days;
- Married life began with a violation of Christian rules, which recommend abstaining during Lent not only from eating certain foods, but also from entertainment and marital relations. The essence of fasting is not physical abstinence, but spiritual improvement and repentance. Physical abstinence is only one of the tools to achieve the goal of fasting. Combining a fun wedding reception with the spiritual purpose of fasting is almost impossible.
Is it possible to get married on the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity?
The Day of Family, Love and Fidelity is celebrated on July 8, the day of repose of the grand ducal couple Peter and Fevronia of Murom. The couple lived when Rus' was fragmented and each principality was a small state. At this time, public opinion played an extremely important role, and the prince’s act - marrying a commoner - was condemned by the people. However, despite public pressure, the prince took Fevronia as his wife and, under pain of losing the throne, did not abdicate her. He realized that his love for Fevronia was higher than wealth, power and honor. The holy blessed couple showed an understanding that there is a family and a true Christian marriage. During their lives, princes are glorified by God and can pray for families who are trying to live righteously.
It would seem that the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity was created for marriages. When, if not on this summer day, should we pronounce oaths of fidelity and eternal love to each other? According to statistics, July 8 is a popular date for starting a family, especially if the holiday falls on a Friday or Saturday.
Of course, an official civil marriage can be concluded on this day. The only obstacle may be the refusal of the registry office to hold the ceremony on a certain day of the week due to the fact that separate days are allocated for marriage registration (for example, only Thursday and Friday). However, when choosing a wedding date, you should still remember that the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity is not only a state holiday, but also an Orthodox holiday with a beautiful history.
If the newlyweds choose a wedding date, looking at Christian principles, then they should take into account that July 8 falls on Peter's Fast, when a wedding cannot be celebrated. Why can’t you get married during Lent? As you know, fasting is a time for abstinence and repentance, incompatible with the lavish celebrations, merry festivities and feasting that usually take place at a wedding. That is why there is no wedding on the day of fasting. Theoretically, it is possible to register a marriage on a fast day and get married later, but this option is only suitable for unchurched couples.
Other superstitions about December marriages
If the bride tears her stockings or tights, she will soon become a mother. One arrow or hole foretells the birth of a daughter, two more - a son. Losing a stocking means a quarrel, possibly a quick divorce.
Modern brides, contrary to popular wisdom, dream of original dresses, blue, black, or even trousers instead of a traditional outfit. But signs about wedding dresses recommend choosing white. At worst, pink. A red bride's outfit is allowed only for a second marriage; these were adopted by the ancient Slavs.
The appearance of two crows at a marriage ceremony means fidelity, a happy family life and love until death. Do not be afraid of gloomy black birds; wedding omens about ravens have exclusively positive meanings.
In winter, it’s easier to follow one of the advice of our ancestors - to seat guests on fur coats. It could be faux fur. The sign in this case promises wealth and tender marital relations to the young family.
In general, a wedding in the first winter month is not burdened by the presence of bad omens. This time has long been considered one of the most suitable for starting a family. But it should be remembered that the Nativity Fast lasts in December, and weddings are not held until its end.
Is it possible to get married during Lent?
The Great Pre-Easter Lent this year begins in March, on the 11th, and ends on April 27. On the 28th of the same month, Bright Sunday begins.
The Great Pre-Easter Lent begins in March this year.
Until this moment, all Christians are prohibited from many activities familiar to the laity, such as:
- sexual pleasures;
- festivities;
- curses, quarrels, communication in a raised voice, anger, anger, irritability, lies;
- dancing, singing;
- drinking alcohol, smoking;
- loud laughter, fun, celebration, feasting, attending entertainment events;
- communication via the Internet and social networks.
Marriage is also prohibited. So, to the question of whether it is possible to get married during Lent (2019), the priests answer negatively. The same applies to weddings and the sacrament of marriage.
Choosing an idea for a wedding in December
In winter, you can organize a traditional Russian wedding, the integral symbols of which are white horses, large snowdrifts, national Russian costumes, and a feast with plenty of food and drinks.
The winter season will also help you choose the right alcoholic drinks for your celebration. In winter, it is best to purchase grog, mulled wine, rum and cognac for a wedding. The banquet menu includes hot and high-calorie dishes.
Often elements or characters from Russian folk tales are used for wedding celebrations. Many stories are taken as a basis and the wedding day script is written on them. It is interesting that some young people decide to become Father Frost and Snow Maiden in order to present words of gratitude and modest gifts to their guests.
According to designers, the most common and fashionable colors for weddings in December are:
Based on this color, you need to choose bouquets and accessories for your wedding. Ice compositions, fir cones and branches, and much more can be used on the tables.
