THE SERVICE OF BETROTHAL

The Service of Betrothal

The priest stands before the Royal Doors, looking towards the two who are to be Betrothed; and they stand outside the Royal Doors, the man to the right, and the woman on the left. On the right side of the Holy Altar are placed the two rings. The priest takes up the censer and censes the holy icons, the bridal pair, and the people.

Then the priest asks the bride is she wishes to marry the groom, and the groom if he wishes to marry the bride. The priest then says:

Priest: Blessed is our God always, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord have mercy.

Priest: For the peace from above; for the salvation of our souls; let us pray to the Lord.

For the peace of the whole world; for the stability of the holy Churches of God; and for the union of all; let us pray to the Lord.

For this holy House, and for them that with faith, reverence, and the fear of God enter therein; let us pray to the Lord.

For our Most Reverend Archbishop (Name), for the venerable Priesthood, the Diaconate in Christ; for all the Clergy; and for all the people; let us pray to the Lord.

For the servant of God (Name) and the servant of God (Name) who now pledge themselves to one another, and for their salvation; let us pray to the Lord.

That there may be promised unto them children for the continuation of their race, granting unto them all their prayers unto salvation; let us pray to the Lord.

That He send down upon them love perfect and peaceful, and give them His protection; let us pray to the Lord.

That He may keep them in oneness of mind, and in steadfastness of the Faith; let us pray to the Lord.

That He may bless them in harmony and perfect trust; let us pray to the Lord.

That He may keep the course and manner of their life blameless; let us pray to the Lord.

That the Lord God may grant unto them an honorable marriage and a bed undefiled; let us pray to the Lord.

That we may be delivered from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity; let us pray to the Lord.

Help us; save us; have mercy on us and keep us, O God, by Your Grace.

Calling to remembrance our all‑holy, immaculate, exceedingly blessed glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever‑Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and all our life to Christ our God.

Choir: To You, O God.

Priest: (aloud) For to You are due all Glory, honor, and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord have mercy.

Priest: (aloud) O God eternal, Who has brought together into unity the things which before had been separate, and in so doing impose on them an indissoluble bond of love, Who did bless Isaac and Rebecca, declaring them to be the inheritors of Your promise: do You Yourself (+) bless these Your servants (Name) and (Name), directing them into every good work.

For You are a merciful and loving God, and to You do we send up all Glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: Peace be to all. (+)

Choir: And to your spirit.

Priest: Let us bow our heads before the Lord.

Choir: To You, O Lord.

Priest: O Lord our God, Who espoused the Church as a pure virgin called from out of the Gentiles, bless this Betrothal (+), uniting these Your servants, keeping them in peace and oneness of mind.

For to You are due all Glory, honor, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Then the Priest takes the rings, blesses them, makes with them the Sign of the Cross over the man's head, and says:

The servant of God (Name) is betrothed to the servant of God (Name), in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Thrice) Amen.

Then with the rings the Priest makes the Sign of the Cross over the woman's head, saying:

The servant of God (Name) is betrothed to the servant of God (Name), in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Thrice) Amen.

At the‑ third time, the Priest puts the woman's ring on the man's right finger, and the man's ring on the woman's right finger.

Then the Groomsman exchanges the rings thrice.

Priest: Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord have mercy.

Priest: O Lord our God, Who accompanied the servant of the patriarch Abraham to Mesopotamia, when he was sent to espouse a wife for his lord Isaac, and did reveal to him a sign by the drawing of water to betroth Rebecca; do You Yourself bless the betrothal of these Your servants (Name) and (Name) and confirm the word that has been spoken by them; for You, O Lord, from the beginning have created male and female, and by You is a woman joined to a man for assistance and for the continuation of the human race. Therefore, O Lord God, Who have sent forth Your truth to Your inheritance and Your promise to Your servants, our fathers, who were Your elect, do You give regard unto this Your servant (Name) and Your servant (Name), and seal their betrothal in faith, in oneness of mind, in truth and in love. For You, O Lord, have declared that a pledge is to be given and held inviolate in all things. By a ring Joseph was given might in Egypt; by a ring Daniel was exalted in Babylon; by a ring the truth of Thamar was made manifest; by a ring our heavenly Father showed compassion upon His prodigal son, for He said, "Put a ring upon his right hand, kill the fatted calf, and let us eat and rejoice." Your own right hand, O Lord, armed Moses in the Red Sea. Yea, by the word of Your truth were the Heavens established and the earth set upon her sure foundations; and the right hands of Your servants shall be blessed by Your mighty word, and by Your uplifted arm. Wherefore, O Sovereign Lord, do You Yourself bless this putting on of rings with Your heavenly benediction; and may Your Angel go before them all the days of their life, for You are He that blesses and sanctifies all things, and to You do we send up Glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

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