Maria entered the Imperial chapel. By the entrance of the chapel, stood Alexander. It was Eastern Orthodox tradition that the bride and groom be asked if they were approaching the Marriage alter of their own free will, and were not promised to anyone else. As Maria entered and stood by Alexander, an altar boy of the chapel handed her the candle that she would hold, lighted, for the entire marriage service.
Both, bride and groom stood in front of the congregation, the doors, and God. The Patriarch appeared at the entrance of the Iconastasis. The remainder of the clergy present were standing on either side of the entrance, forming, something, of a guard- of- honour. From the ranks stepped forward one of the two deacons. He stood in front of the Patriarch and bowed. The Patriarch blessed him. The deacon turned and proceeded to walk down to the couple.
Father Stephanje stood before the couple. He neither acknowledged them with a smile, or any friendly gesture.
"Have you, Alexander Alexandrovich, come before the Holy Altar of God, seeking marriage, of your own free will? Are you promised to another?"
Alexander knew the questions that were customarily asked. He answered them both.
"I have come before this Holy Altar of God seeking marriage of my own free will. I am not promised to any one else."
Father Stephanje turned now to Maria. Maria smiled nervously. She wanted a smile, a gesture. She got none. Her heart ached slightly, but she did what she had to.
"I have come before this Holy Altar of God seeking marriage of my own free will. I am not promised to anyone else." She faltered for a second on the second and most defining part. Father Stephanje noticed and looked straight at Maria. Maria had to avert her eyes, his gaze bore into her and seemed to expose her.
Hearing the correct responses given, Father Stephanje turned to face the altar again. Maria was slightly crest- fallen, although, she did her best to hide it. She smiled gently and tried to steel herself and hold her emotions. Father Stephanje walked before the couple, as they made their way up to stand in front of the marriage table, in front of the Iconastasis entrance. A priest from one of the major parishes in Saint Petersburg stepped forward, bowed to the Patriarch, then blessed the two rings. Up till now the rings had been resting on a golden gospel. The priest picked them up, blessed them by making the sign of the cross with them, in his hand, over the gospel. Then he gave Maria's to Alexander, he said the necessar prayers, then indicated to Alexander, who slipped the ring on Maria's fourth finger, on her right hand. He gave Alexanders to Maria, again the same occured. At this, Alexander's brother stepped forward, as best man. He crossed his hands, right over left, took the rings in his fingers and crossed them three times. Each time, he placed the rings back on the fingers of the couple. This symbolised their union for life. With this, the betrothal service was now over.
The service of Holy Matrimony begun, and continued in the symbolism and rituals which were firmly rooted in their Byzantine origins. The ceremony culminated in the crowning of the bride and groom. This part is exactly as it sounds. Two crowns had also rested upon the gold gospel. They were made of gold, and were smaller replicas of crowns. They were connected by a ribbon. The crowns were blessed, a sign of the cross made over the couple three times, and placed on the head of both bride and groom. After petitions to the Lord the crowns were removed.
At the conclusion of the crowning an epistle exerpt of Saint Paul was read, exhorting both bride and groom to unconditional love and support. This was followed by Father Stephanje reading from the Holy Gospel of John, about the miracle of Jesus at the wedding at Cana. The end of the readings brought the Patriarch down from the Holy Sancutary for the first time. After the necessary prayers and petitions, he offered the common cup of Holy Communion to the couple. He, for the first time, was the only clergy- man to offer a kind smile. The couple were slightly empowered by the gesture, despite the fact it was not a sign from him they were both waiting for.
Just as the readings finished the Priest stepped forward again. The Patriarch was now, again, before the entrance to the Holy Sanctuary. He held up a halting hand. This was unorthodox and unconventional. He indicated, the priest fell back into ranks. He indicated again. Father Stephanje stepped forward. He looked confused, shocked, but rather happy. He stood slightly taller, and prouder. He bowed then turned and looked at the couple. He wore the biggest grin on his face. Neither Alexander, nor Maria, could hold in back their smiles. Father Stephanje stood before them. He joined the right hands of Alexander and Maria, still smiling. He took up the Holy Gospel in his right hand, with his left, he gently took hold of the right hands of the couple. The necessary petitions sayed, Father Stephanje chanted, loudly and beautifully, the words of the marriage dance. These words were chanted as the couple, lead by Father Stephanje, walked around the marriage table three times. Father Stephanje lead the couple as they took their first steps as husband and wife. Maria couldn't control herself. She wanted to be a normal bride, just for a second.
With the thought of release in her mind, Maria looked to Father Stephanje. She forgot about what she had thought of doing, when she saw that Father Stephanje was already doing it. Father Stephanje, over- come with joy and love, for the union of the two people he loved dearly, was crying. Having been granted the honour of leading them, which broke tradition, Father Stephanje couldn't have asked for a better moment, in his religious career, that would shine and stay with him, no matter what.
c. John Apotsis 2008- 2009
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