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Stefana (Greek Orthodox wedding crowns)
In a traditional Greek wedding ceremony the bride and groom are crowned with a Stefana. A Stefana being duel crowns each crown being linked together with a single length of ribbon symbolising the joining of two souls and the creation of a new household. It is a symbol of combining two people as one. As a married couple they become the king and queen of their household. These crowns represent the signs of wisdom, justice, intregity, glory, honour when the king and queen are crowned. After the wedding the wedding crowns or Stafana are kept in a safe place representing the couple's commitment. Stefana or wedding crowns are intended to be kept for life forming eternal memories for the bride and groom

A simple and elegant stefana / wedding crowns set with crystals and diamantes. CODE 8738
All stefana sets are priced and sold as a pair joined together with a 2 metre white or ivory ribbon.
SIZE: approx. 55cm inside
White ribbon - $99.00
Ivory ribbon - $99.00

A simple and elegant stefana / wedding crowns set with crystals and diamantes. CODE 8358
All stefana sets are priced and sold as a pair joined together with a 2 metre white or ivory ribbon.
SIZE: approx. 55cm inside
White ribbon - $99.00
Ivory ribbon - $99.00

A simple and elegant stefana / wedding crowns with faux pearls and diamantes. CODE 9120
All stefana sets are priced and sold as a pair joined together with a 2 metre white or ivory ribbon.
SIZE: approx. 55cm inside
White ribbon - $99.00
Ivory ribbon - $99.00

Elegant stefana / wedding crowns set with freshwater pearls, diamantes. CODE SF8
All stefana sets are priced and sold as a pair joined together with a 2 metre white or ivory ribbon.
SIZE: approx. 52cm inside
White ribbon - $295.00
Ivory ribbon - $295.00

Decorate your own stefana

A simple metal stefana / wedding crowns. Ideal for the creative bride to decorate. CODE PLAIN
All stefana sets are priced and sold as a pair.
SIZE: approx. 55cm inside
$12.00

The Orthodox Wedding Service
Since its origin centuries ago the Orthodox sacrament of marriage has remained almost entirely unchanged. Within the Orthodox marriage ceremony the bride and groom do not exchange vows but instead present themselves before Christ through the priest and the congregation that signifies their wish to be joined in marriage and to accept the Lord into their new home. Within the Orthodox tradition the wedding ceremony has two services. The first being the Service of Betrothal, during which the rings are exchanged. The second is the Service of Crowning which includes prayers offered for the couple, the crowning of the bride and groom in marriage, sharing of the common cup and the celebrational procession around the table.

The Service of Betrothal
During this first service, the priest offers petitions of prayer on behalf of the bride and groom. He calls on God's blessings upon the rings and proceeds to bless the bride and groom with the rings. Performed three times in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the priest will start first from the groom to the bride, and then from the bride to the groom. The alternation between the bride and groom represents their lives being entwined into one. The priest then places the wedding rings on the ring fingers of the right hands of both the bride and groom (the right hand holds special significance within the Orthodox faith). Following, the sponsor (the koumbaro or koumbara) exchanges the rings on the bride and groom three times emphasizing the union of their lives. The service closes with a prayer which seals the placement of rings and emphasizes that the marriage was enacted by God.

The Service of Crowning
The Joining of Hands
The Service of Crowning begins with the invocation of the Holy Trinity. After petitions offered on behalf of the bride, groom and wedding company, three prayers are read which ascribe to God the institution of marriage and the preservation of His people through the ages. During this prayer the priest joins the right hands of the bride and groom to symbolize their union through the Lord. Since God is the true Celebrant of every sacrament, the priest always expresses himself in the third person. He is simply God's instrument in the service.

The Crowning
The union of the bride and groom is completed with the Crowning. The priest takes the crowns from the altar table, blesses the bride and groom, and then places the crowns upon their heads, chanting, "O Lord our God, crown them with glory and honor." The crowns have several meanings: the first that God bestows His blessing upon His children in the form of crowns and the second, that the bride and groom mark the beginning of a new kingdom, reigning supreme under the Divine Authority of God, Who reigns over all. The sponsor exchanges the crowns over the heads of the bride and groom to seal the union. The service continues with both an Epistle and a Gospel reading. The Epistle details the responsibilities of each partner in the marriage and the Gospel recounts Christ's first miracle at the wedding in Cana.

The Common Cup
Following the readings and brief prayers, the common cup containing wine, is presented to the bride and groom. The priest blesses the cup and offers it to the newly joined husband and wife which represents their equal share in the cup of life.

The Procession
The priest leads the newly joined husband and wife around the table - a type of religious dance, celebrating the union. During the procession, a series of hymns are sung. The first speaks of the Isaiah the Prophet's joy when he saw the coming of the Messiah upon the earth. The second recollects the martyrs of the Faith who received their crowns of glory from God through the sacrifice of their lives. And finally, the third exalts the Holy Trinity.

The Removal of the Crowns and the Benediction
Upon completion of the procession, the Priest faces the groom and says: "Be magnified, O Bridegroom, as Abraham, and blessed as Isaac, and increased as was Jacob. Go your way in peace, performing in righteousness the commandments of God." After which, the priest turns to the bride and says, "And you, O Bride, be magnified as was Sarah, and rejoiced as was Rebecca, and increased as Rachel, being glad in your husband, keeping the paths of the Law, for so God is well pleased." Then, removing their crowns, the Priest says, "Accept their crowns in Your Kingdom unsoiled and undefiled; and preserve them without offense to the ages of ages." Finally, the priest reads a prayer of benediction and the newly married couple may depart from the Church.

Greek Orthodox Wedding Traditions

The symbol of the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are important aspects of the Greek Orthodox religion and are incorporated symbolically within the wedding celebration. Many of the ceremony rituals are performed in series of threes.

Marriage is a sacrament within the Greek Orthodox church. The ceremony begins on the steps of the church in front of the doors where the priest blesses the rings and they are exchanged. This part of the service is called the Betrothal. The couple are then led into the church by the priest. The couple stand on a white cloth before a platform. Following the couple in the processional a wedding icon is carried. The bride and groom hold lit candles, which they hold throughout the ceremony. The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony is performed followed by three prayers

Stefana or crowns are then placed on the bride and grooms heads as a symbol of God bestowing His blessings in the form of crowns and in recognition of the couple's roles in the Kingdom of God. The crowns are generally connected by a ribbon to symbolize the couple's eternal bond. The crowns reside atop a tray of almonds at the front of the church. During the ceremony, the crowns are exchanged or switched between both heads three times, generally by the best man or koumbaros.

The almonds from the tray are distributed to the single female wedding guests. Greek women are supposed to dream of their future husband if they place the almonds under their pillow.

Following the Crowning ceremony, the ceremony continues with readings and the couple sharing a communion cup. The couple then follows the priest around the wedding platform three times to become husband and wife.

Traditionally, a bride carried herbs or grains as a fertility symbol and at the reception the couple would eat a cake made of honey, sesame seeds, and quince as a symbol of their commitment to each other through good and bad. The bride may also carry a cube of sugar in her glove for the ceremony as a symbol of a "sweet" married life. Today's bride may have some herbs placed within her bouquet, such as rosemary, thyme, mint, and basil.

Greek wedding receptions are festive affairs full of singing, dancing, eating, and drinking. The rich flavorful food is followed by lively dancing and celebrating. The dancing traditionally begins with the handkerchief dance or kalamatiano. The bridal couple begin the dance together dancing holding a scarf or handkerchief by the ends between them. They then invite others into the dance. As the festivities progress, breaking plates may be done to ward off evil spirits for good luck. One other traditional dance encircles the bride within two circles of dancing guests, who toss money.

Kalamatiano
Traditional handkerchief dance.

Koufeta
White sugared covered almonds, symbolizing the bitterness and sweetness in life, passed as favors for wedding guests always in odd numbered groups to bring guests good luck. Usually in white tulle with sky blue ribbon to represent colors of the Greek flag.

Koumbaros or Kumbada
Traditionally the groom's godfather. Acts as a sponsor and instigates the actions of the ceremony like the crowns exchange and the procession around the wedding platform. Similar role of the Western culture's Best Man.

Stefana
Crowns used in the wedding ceremony made traditionally from orange blossoms, twigs and vines wrapped in silver and gold and attached by a long ribbon. They are symbols of the bride and groom as King and Queen.

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