This article is dedicated to those who have already married, and those who are just about to begin this sacrament. Here you will find detailed answers to many questions, which are compiled according to the opinions and answers of Orthodox pastors.
Wedding candles are our main theme. Before you start reading, it should be clear that each subheading is a frequently asked question by couples. Next comes the answer to it.
Why get married?
There are several sacraments in Orthodoxy, one of them is the wedding. It is necessary for the spouses to sanctify their marriage, to make a promise before God to be always together in fidelity, love, harmony. At the same time, the husband and wife, together with the clergy, pray for the consecration of marriage. Be sure to take wedding rings to the wedding, which the priest consecrates and puts on the newlyweds on the ring fingers - this is a symbol of eternity. But in the spiritual sense, we are talking about Eternity (precisely with a capital letter), as about life after death. No wonder they say that married spouses meet in heaven after death and never again.break up.
What do you need and the price of the issue?
If the couple is not rich, they will definitely ask the question: “How much does the wedding cost?”. In fact, this question cannot be answered unambiguously.
Let's list what is required for a wedding:
- personal presence of both spouses;
- tidy appearance of the spouses (suit on the groom, a modest long (preferably white) dress on the bride and a scarf / tippet / veil);
- wedding rings, if not, then wedding rings;
- two wedding candles;
- towel (towel);
- two icons: the Savior and the Mother of God.
If you have the right clothes and shoes for the ceremony, then you don't need to spend on outfits.
The presence of wedding rings from the registry office is allowed. You don't have to buy a new pair. If there are none, then it is advisable for the husband to purchase a gold ring, and for his wife - a silver one. Such were the traditions in the past centuries, they continue to this day.
Wedding candles can be chosen from the simplest and cheapest, as well as expensive, festively decorated.
You can sew a towel yourself or ask relatives and friends to do it. In church shops, they are sold at different prices, depending on the material, the complexity of the pattern.
Icons can be brought from home to avoid buying new ones.
Which candles are better to choose?
Priests and married couples are advised to purchase high-quality wedding candles and only in church shops/shops. Buying by hand is not recommendedrisk taking a fake.
During the wedding, candles should burn and not go out. In addition, the sacrament can last from 45 minutes to 1 hour. Buy thick big candles. You can even with the provided handles and saucers so that dripping wax does not burn your hands.
Price of sacrament
Let's talk about how much a wedding costs. In fact, it's different everywhere. In Moscow, as a rule, the cost is about 5 to 10 thousand rubles. The last price is the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
In provincial cities, the cost is ten times lower. Many priests marry for a donation (how much you give) or for free (if the family is in distress). As a rule, a married couple simply donates a towel, wedding candles or clothes for the needy to the temple.
Where to put the candles?
You brought wedding candles home. What to do with them now? You have two options:
- you can put on candlesticks next to wedding and other icons;
- put in a special box with shrines (brought from pilgrimage trips oil, earth, baptismal shirts and crosses, holy water, prosphora and incense, and so on).
Keep candles in a safe place so they won't be broken by children or chewed on by pets. If suddenly the candles break, do not be alarmed, superstitions have no place in Christianity. Just be careful with them.
Can I light candles?
Many happy couples who have just consecrated their marriage forget to ask the priest: “When can I light the weddingcandles? . But it is never too late to get an answer to this question. Here is what pastors advise - light wedding candles not just like that, but with warm and fervent prayer, especially at such moments as:
- woe;
- joy;
- wedding and wedding anniversary;
- childbirth;
- quarrels, discord in the family;
- desire to pray for each other.
Pray for other reasons as well.
In conclusion, let's say that a wedding candle is a symbol of faith, love and hope. It is enough to light them so that peace and tranquility come in the soul. And the prayer will come by itself from the depths of the soul. In order to have enough wedding candles for many, many years, do not spare money, buy large ones and from high-quality material.
