A church wedding differs from a simple wedding in that it is a holy rite, a marriage that is literally made in heaven. Such a marriage will be much stronger than any other. What could be more beautiful for two loving hearts than to be church married in one of the magnificent temples in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel?
Tours for church weddings
The temples of Jerusalem are always open to all those who want to perform the rite of church marriage, a true ethereal sacrament. It will be one of the most memorable and joyful moments in the life of a young family. It is hard to think of a place more suitable for such an event than the holy land of Israel.
For the convenience of newlyweds, many modern travel companies include in their assortment of special tours for church weddings in Israel. The program includes not only the church wedding itself in one of the temples of Jerusalem, but also an excursion to any region, rental car transport, guide services and rest on the seashore.
It should be noted that the specialists of the agency work with each couple individually. In each case the program of events may look differently, taking into account the preferences and opportunities of the couple. Quite a popular option is to hold a church wedding ceremony in Jerusalem Holy Trinity Church, which belongs to the Russian Orthodox Church.
Most often such rites are held on Friday. But not if this Friday precedes any great feasts. In addition, it is not possible to get church married during Lent or Holy Week.
Required documents and other features of the church ceremony
Getting church married on the territory of another country naturally entails some expenses. Among the main ones are the donation to the church, payment for the services of a personal guide — he is always nearby and helps to solve many organizational costs, as well as the cost of a photographer. The services of drivers and a gala dinner in one of the wonderful restaurants in Jerusalem are usually paid separately.
Among other things, the following package of documents is required for a church wedding in Jerusalem:
— passports of the future spouses;
— passports of the country in which the couple resides and copies of these documents;
— birth certificates;
— divorce papers or documents confirming the death of the previous spouse (if any);
— documents confirming the fact of baptism.
All copies of these documents must be certified by a notary public.
Preparing for the church wedding ceremony
The day before the church ceremony, the newlyweds must have a talk with the bishop who will perform the church marriage in the sight of God. It is better to arrive in Jerusalem 2 or 3 days before the church wedding, because the preparation can take a long time. During these days you will have to choose the dress, make-up and clothes for the groom.
The bride traditionally wears a white dress, but more modern couples increasingly prefer other colors. The main requirement is closed shoulders, legs and chest, the head must also be covered with a veil or a beautiful scarf. The groom is dressed in a solemn suit, corresponding to the rite.
Remember that for the church wedding ceremony in any temple in Jerusalem you need to have with you an icon of the Mother of God. If the newlyweds do not have such an icon, or there is no possibility to bring it, it is considered acceptable to buy this attribute right in the temple. Also among the mandatory things should be noted special towels, wedding rings and crosses, which must necessarily be worn by both newlyweds.
Where is the best place to get church married in Jerusalem?
— One of the most popular places is Old Jerusalem. It is here that the main shrine of Orthodox Christians all over the world, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, is located. It is a great honor for any believing couple to hold a ceremony here.
— Alexander’s Palace is no less popular. It was here that all the tsars of the Russian Romanov dynasty were church married. In their time, the church wedding ceremony here was the prerogative of only persons belonging to the upper class. Commoners did not have the opportunity to come to Israel and undergo this rite.
— Also very popular and the aforementioned Holy Trinity Temple. This is a landmark building for Russian Orthodox Christians. This cathedral was built and consecrated in the XIX century. Neo-Byzantine elements are used in its architecture. However, the layout is kept classical, 5 domes are used. Many travel agencies have in their arsenal several options for wedding tours, providing for a wedding in this wonderful place.
Best church marriage option for faithful newlyweds
Jerusalem is a real city of miracles, everything here is literally drowned in an atmosphere of mystery. Seven famous sacraments, when properly performed, can completely change the spiritual component of any person. One of them is the marriage ceremony with the rite of church wedding.
It is here, in the sacred land of Christ, that this unforgettable church ceremony is best held, because if your hearts are joined here, your marriage must be happy. This ceremony will be remembered for many years, it is imbued with thousands of years of Israeli traditions, touching and exciting. The sky of holy Jerusalem will be a powerful protection for your marriage and will keep it safe for all time.
