In the old days, when only church marriages were concluded, there could be no question of a wedding without parental blessing. Even if the bride and groom were engaged secretly without parental consent, they then tried to earn their forgiveness and at least retroactively receive a blessing for the marriage. It was believed that only in this case would their marriage be truly pleasing to God. Now marriages are registered not in the church, but in the registry offices. Nevertheless, in Orthodox families there is still a rite of parental blessing.
Instruction manual
1
Before registering a marriage, the parents of the groom should bless their son, and the parents of the bride should bless their daughter. This must be done before the groom arrives for the bride and the ransom ceremony begins, that is, each family does this at home.
2
The father and mother of the groom are supposed to stand close to each other directly opposite the son, while the father must hold an icon depicting Christ. According to religious canons, the groom is supposed to kneel down with blessing. The father baptizes his son three times with an icon, after which he passes the icon to his mother. She does exactly the same thing. After this, the bridegroom is supposed to overshadow herself with a sign of the cross and kiss the face of Christ (that is, kiss the icon).
3
The exact same ceremony should be performed by the father and mother of the bride in her house. Only instead of the icon depicting Christ, they bless the daughter with the icon of the Virgin.
4
After the ransom of the bride is carried out, everyone goes to the wedding ceremony. If after the registry office is a wedding in the church, the parents of the newlyweds are supposed to stand behind them on both sides. Father and mother of the groom take a place closer to their son, the parents of the bride, respectively, closer to their daughter. As soon as the sacrament of marriage is completed, the parents of the groom return home to prepare for the meeting of the young husband and wife.
5
Before the young people enter the house or other premises, the husband’s parents once again bless them with an icon, after which they offer them a traditional treat: a wedding loaf (bread and salt). By tradition, young people should take a bite from him in turn.
6
People who adhere to religious canons and even atheists often also bless their children before the wedding. Only this rite is performed without the use of icons, and has a rather symbolic role: wishes of young people happiness and a long friendly life in marriage.
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