Once Father Stephanje, Alexander, and Maria had made their way around the Marriage table for the third time they all stopped and assumed their positions. Alexander and Maria stood side by side, in front of the Marriage table, and the Holy Altar of God, no longer man and woman, but husband and wife. Father Stephanje gave their hands a gentle squeeze before he joined the ranks again. The Patriarch, slowly and serenly, stepped down the three steps from the entrance to the Holy Sanctuary, and made his way to stand in front of the couple. He said the final blessing on Alexander, and then on Maria. As he did so, Father Stephanje handed the Patriarch the gospel, with which the Patriarch broke the bond of the right hands. Nothing, except God, could take away what Alexander and Maria now shared. They were married.
Alexander and Maria stood facing the Holy Altar until all the guests had filed out of the chapel. Now the clergy were removing their vestments, on the inside of the Iconastasis. The only one who remained was the Patriarch. He stood watching them both. They watched him, unable to decide if they should be happy or worried. He spoke gently and kindly.
"He loves you both." Alexander and Maria continued to watch the Patriarch.
"You are both apart of a life he once led. Now he leads a different life. One day, maybe one day he will be Patriarch. Whilst you all go your different ways, try and remain close. He has found it hard to be away from you both. I fear i love him to much, i couldn't resist the urge to grant him his hearts desire. Well, you saw the result."
Aelxander and Maria learnt something new. Father Stephanje cared more than they thought. All the time, they were worrying and hadn't given him the benfit of the doubt. Now they felt ashamed.
"Nevermind," continued the Patriarch, as if reading their minds.
"Stephanje!" he said, no louder than he already spoke. Seemingly out of nowhere, Father Stephanje appeared before his Patriarch.
"Take the Crown Prince and the Grand Duchess to the desk to sign the Marriage certifiacte. I will change and be there shortly." With that the Patriarch took his leave of the trio.
A short silence followed the departure of the Patriarch. Though they knew he didn't mind them at all, they still wanted to feel a sense of privacy. Thus, they waited till he entered the Holy Sanctuary before they fell into each other's embraces. Maria, already tearful, let out some soft sobs and fell into Father Stephanje's embrace. She hit his chest playfully twice, looking at him with a teary smile.
"I thought you were upset when we first walked in. You scared me terribly." They all chuckled again.
"Well i couldn't exactly smile and wave to you!" responded Father Stephanje
"Why not?" retorted Alexander. He was joking, but he tried his best to wear a serious expression. Maria and Father Stephanje looked at him. He stared back.
"Oh that's right Father, how silly of me!" said Maria turning on Father Stephanje, sarcastically.
"Yes why didn't you smile, wave, and do a little happy dance while you were at it? I'm sure that would have "spiced" up the drab wedding proceedings." Maria smirked and turned to Alexander.
"Play nicely children!" came a voice from behind them. They all started and turned. The Patriarch stood before them, dressed in black. He wore a soft smile, as though he, too, wanted to join in on the fun. However, Father Stephanje, Maria and Alexander all felt embarrassed. Maria blushed, Alexander silenced immediately and only spoke when spoken to, Father Stephanje bowed his head in shame. He reprimanded himself for showing such disrespect whilst still in the chapel. He didn't look up again for a while. Alexander and Maria were not as hurt this time as they were in the beginning. Now they understood how different Father Stephanje had to be.
Despite the fact that he wanted to be the way they knew him to have been, the reality of the situation was, Father Stephanje now lead a different life. Alexander wanted to help, but he knew that would mean loosing one of his closest and dearest friends. Maria wanted to help, but the pain of it all was too much for her to bear, even now.
c. John Apotsis 2008- 2009
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