ORTHODOX CATHOLIC CEREMONIES
(Useful Contacts, Orthodox Cathedral St Ayargiroi valley road, 2720621,Orthodox archbishop of Kenya Irinoupolis, Riruta satellite 564995/560750)
The Eastern Orthodox (including Greek, Russian and Ethiopian Orthodox) wedding ceremony is very similar to the Roman Catholic one, but features some additional rituals that have important symbolic value. Many rituals in the Orthodox ceremony are performed three times – to represent the Holy Trinity. Wedding rings are blessed, and then exchanged three times. (Rings are worn on the right hand.) Crowns are placed on the couple’s heads and switched back and forth three times.
After the Gospel is read, the bride and groom each takes three sips from a cup of wine. The congregation sings “God Grant Them Many Years,” and the couple walks hand-in-hand around the ceremonial table three times.
