Stolisma

The day will start with the "stolisma". This is the traditional dressing of the bride and groom, and is part of their preparation in leaving their families and beginning their life together. Musicians play a song that calls the relatives and friends to give their blessings. They incense the bride and groom and pass a red scarf around their waists that symbolises fertility.

12pm Groom's Stolisma

2pm Bride's Stolisma

This will take place at Edward's place.

This will take place at Sophronia's place.

Holy Sacrament of Marriage

4pm St Nicholas Church, Engomi

The couple then go to the church to have their union blessed before the eyes of the Lord. The guests witness this union and pray for the couple and their new beginning.

The sacrament starts with the service of the Betrothal which is comprised of petitions, prayers and the exchange of rings. The service of the Crowning then follows.

The Crowns (Stefana) symbolise the glory and honour that God will bestow upon the couple during the sacrament of marriage. The crowns are joined by a ribbon that symbolises the union of the bride and groom in the presence of Christ, who unites them both.

The Scripture Readings then follow. An excerpt from St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians (5:20-33) is read, expressing the strength and sacrifices required of a husband and wife. The second reading from the Gospel of St. John (2:1–11) relates the story of Christ at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, when Christ blessed the institution of marriage and performed the first of His miracles, transforming water into wine.

The "Common Cup" of wine is then brought, which the bride and groom sip three times, promising thereafter to share everything in life with one another so that their joys will be doubled and their sorrows halved.

The Dance of Isaiah follows. The Priest, holding the Holy Gospel in his right hand, leads the couple in a ceremonial walk around the centre table on which the Cross is placed. They are now taking their first steps as husband and wife. The Church, in the person of the Priest, leads them, representing their walk through life with the Gospel and the Cross as the focus of their lives.

Cocktails & Congratulations

5pm in the Church courtyard

There will be finger food and drinks to follow in the church courtyard, accompanied by some music!

It is a Greek-Cypriot tradition that at this point the guests congratulate the couple and their parents, and pass the bride and groom, their envelope with their gift.

Dinner & Dance!

7:30pm at Projects and MorEvents

We will then make our way to the venue near a Cypriot village in the mountains, covered with pretty fairy lights! There will be a wide range of choices at the buffet for dinner where we'll be entertained by speeches!

Carriages at 3am

Make sure to bring your dancing shoes, as there will be A LOT of Greek traditional dancing and Rock and Roll!

Thursday 24th April

Friday 25th April

You can join us for breakfast at the Hilton the next day, to catch up on all the wedding talk! Let us know if you can make it, and we will send you more details.

Wedding Breakfast