Mystery of Crowning
After the members of the bridal party have reached their places, the celebrant and other ministers then go to their proper places in the sanctuary. All remain STANDING as the service for the Mystery of Crowning begins.
Doxology
Cel: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
Cong: Amen.
Opening Prayer
Cel: O Lord, make us worthy to begin by glorifying you and to end by giving you thanks. Bless us in your peace. Guard your servants, N. and N.; protect them from evil and all harm. Glory be to you, our Lord and God for ever.
Cong: Amen.
Greeting
Cel: Peace be with the Church and her children.
Hymn of the Angels
Cong: Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth and good will to all.
PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS (HOOSOYO)
STAND
The celebrant burns incense during the Prayer of Forgiveness and then directs the deacon or a priest concelebrant to do the incensation. In the absence of a deacon or a concelebrant, the celebrant himself does the incensation during the Qolo.
The deacon or concelebrant incenses the cross, the main altar, the celebrant, the ministers, and the congregation.
Proemion
The celebrant sings the Proemion:
Cel: May we be worthy to offer praise and thanksgiving to Jesus Christ, the heavenly Bridegroom. In his love, he betrothed the Church of all peoples and nations; by his cross he sanctified her and made her a glorious bride. To him are due glory and honor, now and forever.
Cong: Amen.
Sedro
The celebrant then sings the Sedro:
Cel: Lord God, Creator and Ruler of all things, you took the dust of the earth into your holy hands, fashioned Adam in your glorious image, and formed our mother, Eve, from his rib. O Lover of all people, with your right hand now bless your servants, N. and N., who are betrothed to one another. Confirm them in faith, hope, love and just deeds. Make their marriage as honorable as the marriages of the righteous and just of old. They served you in justice and you multiplied their descendents like the stars of the sky and the grains of sand on the seashore. As they brought forth priests, kings, prophets, apostles, preachers and teachers of your good news, so likewise grant your servants, N. and N., to bear the fruits of justice (and bring forth children of blessings). Fill them with your fear and surround them with your peace all the days of their lives.
Cong: Amen.
Qolo (Hymn)
All: Alleluia, the Lord be praised!
Christ the groom came as a guest to celebrate the marriage of friends.
He blessed both the bride and the groom at Cana where he increased the wine.
In your kindness, Lord, now rest your hand in blessing upon the bride and groom.
Bless these two as one. May they sing your praises for eternity, holy Father, praiseworthy Son, Holy Spirit, who gives life and light.
Praise the Lord, alleluia, alleluia
Etro
The celebrant then prays the Etro:
Cel: Praised are you, O Jesus Christ, our Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; you gave joy to the groom and the bride at the wedding banquet at Cana of Galilee. Now, O Lord, accept the perfume of this incense. Bless the groom, N., and the bride, N., their witnesses and all their guests, as you blessed the just and their children. To you be glory, now and for ever.
Cong: Amen.
TRISAGION (Qadeeshat Aloho)
The congregation STANDS and the Trisagion is then sung three times.
Cel: Qadeeshat aloho; Qadeeshat hyeltono; Qadeeshat lomoyouto.
Holy are you, O God; Holy are you, O Strong One; Holy are you, O Immortal One.
Cong: Itraham alein.
Have mercy on us.
Cel: O holy and immortal Lord, sanctify our minds and purify our consciences, that we may praise you with pure hearts and listen to your Holy Scriptures. To you be glory, for ever.
Cong: Amen.
PSALM OF THE READINGS (MAZMOORO)
SIT
Cong: Lord, protect this bride and groom with the witnesses they chose.
They have gathered in the Church for your blessing and delight.
Cel: They sowed fields and planted vineyards. They ate from the harvest fruit. Bless them with abundant life bride and groom and witnesses.
Cong: In your mercy you accepted service from the just of old.
In your mercy now accept prayer and praise we offer you.
READING (S)
The reader stands at the lectern and begins the reading. The reader first says:
Reader: A reading from the ...
The reader then asks for the celebrant’s blessing:
Reader: Father, give your blessing.
The celebrant blesses the reader. The reader then continues:
Reader: Brothers and Sisters...
The reader concludes the reading by singing or saying:
Reader: Praise be to God always!
Alleluia (Fetgomo)
Meanwhile, the congregation STANDS and sings:
Cong: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Cantor: Hear, O daughter and see; turn your ear,
forget your people and your father’s house.
So shall the king desire your beauty. (Psalm 45:11-12)
Cong: Alleluia!
GOSPEL STAND
Deacon: Before the good news of our Savior, announcing life to us all, let us offer this incense. O Lord, we ask for your mercy.
The celebrant burns incense while two ministers hold lighted candles on each side of the Book of Gospels.
Cel: Peace be with you.
Cong: And also with you.
Cel: Let us be attentive to the gospel of life and salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded by the (Apostle John or Matthew; the Evangelist Luke or Mark).
The celebrant incenses the Book of Gospels three times.
Meanwhile, the deacon proclaims:
Deacon: Remain silent, O listeners, for the holy gospel is about to be announced to you. Listen and give glory and thanks to the living Word of God.
At the end of the gospel, the celebrant kisses the book and blesses the congregation with it, saying:
This is the truth. Peace be with you.
KOROZOOTO
Cong: Praise, Thanksgiving and blessings to Jesus christ our Lord, for giving us his words of life.
RITE OF CROWNING
Deacon: Again and again, let us pray to the Lord.
Cong: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the peace of the church and her children, let us pray to the Lord.
Cong: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: For the crowning of N. and N., that it may be blessed and sanctified by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.
Cong: Lord, have mercy.
Qolo (Hymn)
All: Alleluia!
None like her in all the world
nor ever shall be,
like the bride betrothed to Christ
the churches faithful eternal groom.
He bestows eternal life on her
and on her children.
He betrothed her with his blood
and made her his alone.
At all times she sings to him:
“All praise to you, Christ,
Alleluia and Alleluia!”
MARRIAGE COVENANT
The groom and bride then exchange their marriage covenant.
The celebrant first addresses the groom:
Cel: N., my beloved son, do you take N., here present, for your wife?
Groom: I do, Father.
The celebration then addresses the bride:
Cel: N., my beloved daughter, do you take N., here present,
for your husband?
Bride: I do, Father.
The couple join their right hands on the Bible. The celebrant then covers their hands with his stole and places his right hand over theirs, as he proclaims:
Cel: By the hand of God and his holy Word, our son, N. and our daughter, N. are joined in marriage in the name of the most Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the One and only true God. May their marriage be as firm as the covenant by which heaven and earth were created, and be blessed as was the covenant by which Sarah was joined to Abraham, Rebecca to Isaac, and Rachel to Jacob, so that nothing shall separate them but death.
Cong: Amen.
BLESSING OF THE RINGS
The groom and bride release their hands, and the celebrant proceeds to bless the rings, saying:
Cel: O Lord, extend the right hand of your Trinity and bless + these rings, which we give to your servants. Sanctify + them by your word and grant that they may wear them + in the sharing of their marriage. May these rings be a wall of protection for their bodies, and shield them from all harm. May your grace shine upon them and your right hand, filled with mercy, bless them. In sharing their happiness, may they give you glory and thanksgiving, now and for ever.
Cong: Amen.
Giving of Rings
The celebrant places the rings on the left ring finger of the groom and bride and says:
Cel: With the rings of your marriage may the right hand of our Lord Jesus Christ descend upon you. May the blessing of his grace, which fulfills all needs, abound in you. May these rings be a tower of protection for you. May they shield you from all harm. May you set out for the tabernacle of the Lord and mingle with his blessed flock. To you, O Lord, be glory for ever.
Cong: Amen.
BLESSING OF THE CROWNS
The celebrant next blesses the crowns, saying:
Cel: Like a crown, God has adorned the earth with flowers, the heavens with stars, and the land with the sea. With a crown he has shown the special calling given to the holy kings, priests, prophets and apostles. In his bountiful mercy may he bless + these crowns through the prayers of the Mother of God and all the saints.
Cong: Amen.
Crowning of the Groom
The celebrant crowns the groom as the cantor sings all or at least some of the following verses:
Psalm 21:2-5
O Lord, in your strength the king is glad;
in your victory, how greatly he rejoices!
You have granted him his heart’s desire;
you refused not the wish of his lips.
For you welcomed him with godly blessings,
you placed on his head a crown of pure gold.
He asked life of you:
you gave him length of days for ever and ever.
The celebrant prays over the groom, saying:
Cel: May the Lord who crowned our holy fathers with justice look upon you with love. You have come to the holy Church seeking assistance, may the Lord bless you, protect you always, and lead you to everlasting life.
Cong: Amen.
Crowning of the Bride
The celebrant crowns the bride as the cantor sings some or all of the following verses:
Psalm 45:11-12, 14
Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear,
forget your people and your father’s house.
So shall the king desire your beauty;
for he is your Lord, and you must worship him.
The beauty of the king’s daughter is from inside;
her raiment is threaded with spun gold.
The celebrant prays over the bride, saying:
Cel: May God who crowned all the holy women and blessed Sarah, Rebecca and Rachel, bless you, be merciful to you, and exalt you with the crown of glory.
Adorned with fruits of the Spirit may you flourish as a blessed vine in the midst of the Church
may the Lord God fill you with joy as you dwell with your husband in love and abiding peace;
(may you bring forth children pleasing to God,)
through the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God, and all the saints.
Cong: Amen.
Crowning of the Witnesses
The celebrant then crowns the witnesses and prays over them, saying:
Cel: O God and King, bless these witnesses who received the crowns of witness. Protect them by your cross, and, as they have today witnessed in your holy house, provide them with your blessings all the days of their lives. O Lord, our God, to you be glory for ever.
Cong: Amen.
Hymn (Meter of Saint Ephrem)
If the following hymn is not sung, it may be alternated by the celebrant and congregation.
Cel: Christ appeared from Mary’s womb,
From his servant David’s seed,
Clothed himself in human form
Became like us from one of us.
Cong: Christ the groom betrothed himself
To the faithful, holy church;
In the upper room gave his pledge
In the bread and cup he prepared.
Cel: Christ you are the good One who
summons the good to your feast;
Each one brings a gift to present
At the wedding feast on high.
Cong: Lord, stretch forth your mighty hand
Bless the bride and bless the groom
They have come before the Church
To await your gift from on high.
Cel: From the Church that crowns their heads
From those gathered here in prayer
From the parents of families
From the old and from the young.
Cong: From the bride and from the groom
From the hosts and from the guests
From all gathered here with us,
Praise and glory rise up to you.
Cel: From the harps and from the horns
From the flutes and from those who play,
From the music’s gentle sound
Glory to the Trinity.
All: Praise the Father and the Son,
Praise the Holy Spirit with them one,
May his mercy rest on all
Now and always, Amen, Amen.
REMOVAL OF THE CROWNS
The celebrant extends his right hand over the groom and says:
Cel: May the Lord who rules the whole universe bless + you and richly endow the work of your hands. May your home be secure as the dwelling place of David. May your wife be precious in your eyes and be as a column of fire within your home. May you find happiness all the days of your life. (May your children stand upright before you like the cedars of Lebanon.) May God multiply your riches and may you give aid and comfort to those who call upon you. May you walk in the path of righteousness all the days of your life, that you may render God glory and thanksgiving, now and for ever.
Cong: Amen.
The celebrant removes the crown from the groom.
He then turns to the bride and extends his right hand over her and says:
Cel: May the Lord who has filled creation with beauty and made the just rejoice in their deeds, enrich you with good works. May he confirm your heart in his justice. (May you bring forth children pleasing to him.) May you live with your husband in peace and love. May your lamp be lighted before the Lord on the day of his coming.
Cong: Amen.
The celebrant removes the crown from the bride. He then extends his right hand over the two witnesses and says:
Cel: O Lord God, may these witnesses be worthy to receive from you their good reward. May they go out to meet you in joy and may their lamps burn with works of justice, through the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints.
Cong: Amen.
The celebrant removes the crowns from witnesses. The celebrant then prays:
Cel: May God bless you: groom, bride and witnesses, and protect this community by his glorious cross. May you begin and end your married life in justice. (May you bring forth children pleasing to God in this world.) And in the world to come, may you reach the harbor of eternal life.
Cong: Amen.
Cel: May the Lord God accompany you from his holy temple and protect you in body and soul. May he protect you from the snares of the devil and deliver you from the deceits of the wicked. After a long and happy life may he make you worthy to hear from him these words of joy: “Come, blessed of my Father, and inherit eternal life.”
He then makes the sign of the cross over them with the handcross, saying:
Father, + Son, + and + Holy Spirit.
Cong: Amen.