Nicholas Adam Yeates And Susan Helen Gouel
July 5th, 2008
Prelude: Ave Maria,Shubert
The Prayer, Foster/Sager
Con Te Partiro, Sartori
Bridal Party Procession: Air on a G String, Bach
Bridal Processional: Trumpet Voluntary, Clarke
The Betrothal and Exchange of Rings
The Joinging of Hands
The Crowning
The Lord’s Prayer
The Common Cup
The Ceremonial Walk
The Benediction
Recessional: Ode to Joy, Beethoven
The Very Reverend George Rados The Very Reverend H.H. Weichmann
Parents of the Bride Mr. Roland Gouel and Mrs. Marguerite Gouel
Parents of the Groom Mr. James Yeates and Mrs. Mary Yeates
Maid of Honor Miss Rachel Harrison
Best Man Mr. Hendrik Perdana
Bride’s Attendants Miss Judy Fixell Miss Kerri Maczis Miss Barbara Yeates
Flower Girl Miss Emily Sakai
Groom’s Attendants Mr. Monty Patel Mr. Jon Armitage Mr. Michael Gouel
Ring Bearer Mr. Luke Bahan
Organ Mr. Kenneth Sanchez
Trumpet Mr. Steve Matera
Soloist Miss Elizabeth Naccache
Holy Matrimony is a sacrament of the Eastern Orthodox Church in which a man and a woman are joined together by God. Christ and His Church bless the union. God’s grace is imparted unto the couple to live together in His Love, mutually fulfilling and perfecting one another as Christian man and woman. The marriage service in the Eastern Orthodox Church traces its present form to the 5th century. All marriage services in the Christian Church at that time were the same as witnessed here today.
The service consists of two parts, the Service of the Betrothal and the Service of the Crowning. The symbolism in the marriage services is steeped in Judaic and Apostolic tradition.
The Lighted Candles given to the bride and groom at the beginning of the service symbolize the purity of their lives. The light of the candles shines with the “light of virtue” (John 3:20-21). The lighted candles also remind us of the five virgins who with sufficient oil in their lamps received the Bridegroom Christ when He came to them in the darkness of the night (Matthew 25:1-13).
The first part of the services is the “Office of the Betrothal” at which time the exchanging of rings takes place. Rings are given to denote the Seal of Love between the couple being united. The priest blesses he rings. The sign of the cross is made three times over the head of the groom, saying, “The servant of God, Nicholas, is betrothed to the handmaid of God, Susan, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
During the service of the Crowning, three prayers are read asking God to grant the bride and groom a long and peaceful life, mutual love and wisdom, and happiness and health. The priest joins the couple’s hands. He calls upon God to unite them in one mind, one heart, and one flesh.
The crowns are signs of the glory and honor with which God crowns the couple during the sacrament. The bride and groom are crowned as king and queen of their home, which they will rule with wisdom, justice, and integrity. The crowns also remind us of the crowns of the victorious martyrs of the church, who sacrificed their lives for Christ. Marriage also demands sacrifice on the part of the husband and wife.
When the Crowning takes place, the priest takes the crowns and holds them above the couple, saying, “The servant of God, Nicholas, is crowned unto the handmaid of God, Susan, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.”
Following the Crowning, St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians (5:20-23) is chanted. This reading concerns the mystery and holiness of Christian marriage and the duties and responsibilities of the husband and wife to each other. St. John (2:1-12) is read describing the marriage at Cana of Gailee, which was attended and blessed by Christ and for which He reserved his first miracle. He converted the water into wine and gave it to the wedded couple. In remembrance of the blessing, wine is given to the couple. This is the “common cup” of life denoting the mutual sharing of joy and sorrow, the token of a life of harmony.
The priest then leads the bride and groom in a circle around the table on which are placed the Gospel and the Cross, the one containing the word of God, the other being the symbol of our redemption by Jesus. The husband and wife are taking their first steps as a married couple, and the Church, in the person of the clergy, leads them in the way they must walk. This way is symbolized by the circle, which is centered on the Gospel and Cross of our Lord.
During this walk, three hymns are sung. The first hymn celebrates the Incarnation of Emmanuel and praises the Mother of God. In the second, the crowned martyrs are besought to pray for the salvation of our souls, as a sign to the new couples that they may walk through life in holiness and overcome all temptations. The third hymn glorifies Christ, the Apostles’ boast and martyrs’ joy, at the same time indicating to the couple that Christ should be their glory in times of joy and affliction.
After walking, the couple returns to their places before the altar. The bridegroom is exhorted to live a blessed life. The bride is exhorted to live like the women saints of the Old Testament, fulfilling the conditions of the law of marriage.
Three Benediction prayers follow, revealing the blessing of the Lord upon the couple, making them one in the sight of God, the sight of the law, and the sight of society. Blessings for a full life are revealed for total joy and happiness, the bringing forth of children, and the protective enlightening blessing of the Savior, Jesus Christ.
On this blessed day, the bride and groom wish to remember those who are celebrating with us in everlasting life
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We wish to give special thanks to our families for making this day possible. To our friends sharing in our Joy, may your days be as beautiful and happy as ours is today.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you John 15: 12