Russian Orthodox wedding ceremony

[Paul B. Gallagher]

Stephanie Sures wrote:

>> What is the meaning behind the part of a Russian Orthodox wedding
>> ceremony, when two people walk behind the bride and groom holding
>> wreaths over their heads? I've also seen them use very ornate
>> crowns.

This site describes it as "свадьба в античном стиле" and notes other
ancient Greek features: "светлые просторные туники, кожаные сандалии...
разыгрываются сценки из известных греческих легенд, различные конкурсы,
где фигурируют сатиры, кентавры, циклопы и другие мифические существа."

<http://www.osvadbe.ru/scenary/antich.html>

So it seems to be an adopted pre-Russian tradition (though I can't
explain why someone would hold the wreaths overhead instead of the bride
and groom wearing them). If memory serves, laurel wreaths were symbols
of good fortune, but don't quote me... ;-)

--
War doesn't determine who's right, just who's left.
--
Paul B. Gallagher
pbg translations, inc.
"Russian Translations That Read Like Originals"
http://pbg-translations.com

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