The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony

The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony is a Sacrament of the Armenian Church in which a man and a woman solemnly vow before Christ, the priest, and the congregation to love, respect, and cherish each other for life. Christ blesses their union through the Church. The marriage ceremony of the Armenian Church is steeped in ritual and symbolism.

Elements of the Sacrament

The Blessing of the Rings
After being blessed by the priest, rings are exchanged between the bride and the groom, expressing that the spouses in marriage will constantly complement each other and be enriched by the union.

The Exchange of Vows

During the exchange of vows and altar in the service, the right hands of the bride and groom are joined to symbolize the couple's oneness.

The Rite of Crowning

The rite of crowning is the climax of the wedding service. The crowns signify the glory and honor with which God crowns the bride and groom during the Sacrament. They are crowned as the king and queen of their little kingdom, the home they will rule with wisdom, justice, and integrity.

The Blessing of the Common Cup:

A glass of wine is blessed in remembrance of the marriage of Cana of Galilee, which was blessed by Christ’s presence. Drinking wine from the common cup impresses upon the couple that they will share everything in life, joys and sorrows, from that moment on.

The Benediction

The priest blesses the couple, asking Christ to protect them in peace under the shadow of His holy and honorable cross. Thus, God's grace is imparted to them so they can live together in His love, which is mutually fulfilling. 

Guidelines
  • The Wedding Sacrament must be performed according to the canons of the Armenian Apostolic Church. IT IS NOT ALLOWED TO HOLD A WEDDING CEREMONY OUTSIDE OF THE CHURCH.
  • Secure a date for the wedding by calling the church office (718-224-2275) as soon as possible.
  • Fill out and submit the form below.
  • Couples seeking to receive the Sacrament of Wedding at St. Sarkis Church must undergo a pre-marital preparation program provided and directed by the pastor.
  • If one of the couples is from a Protestant denomination, he or she needs to be confirmed by the Armenian Church.
  • The best man needs to be a member of the Armenian Church. A non-Christian cannot be the best man for a wedding.
  • The marrying couple should arrange to receive their marriage license from the County Court of their residence. A week before the wedding, this license should be given to the officiating clergyman. Without this license, the priest cannot administer the sacrament.
  • Photographs and videos may be taken at any time during the ceremony. However, the photographer may not ascend the steps of the altar or be on the altar at any time.
  • At the end of the Wedding Ceremony, the Bride and Groom CANNOT kiss each other in front of the Altar. It is forbidden. Also, after the ceremony, there will be NO spontaneous clapping or cheering in church.
  • Photographs of the bridal party in front of the bema (lower altar) should be limited to 30 minutes after the ceremony.
Please Fill & Submit The Form Below