Marriage ceremony rites

April_fool82

"The Question is with regards to the who/how/when do the bride and groom walk down the isle."
as we understand it, and as obtained from the following link from Coptic Heritage website:
http://www.copticheritage.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&page_id=381

1- The groom represents Christ and the bride represents the Church

2- The groom has a procession first - as Christ is the first fruit of humanity leading and paving the way for the church to follow, he ascended to heaven (the alter) to prepare a place for the church so that "where he is there she may be also" - and will be waiting at heaven (the alter) to unite the church to himself.  The groom is processed to the tune of "oh king of peace" (Epouro) to explain that symbolism of him representing Christ

3- The bride has a procession after the groom with her parish priest/confession father (Not her physical father, but the confession father) - as she represents the church which follows in Christ's footsteps and is lead by the clerical ranks (i.e the Bishop and Priests) to meet her bridegroom Christ.  The bride is processed to the shere Mari`a, Shere ne Mari`a , the second Cemoti , Teoi enhikanoc , the joyful Sherat, and Ypar;enoc (as much as time permits) - this is done as St Mary represents the church (just as through St Mary came salvation, so through the church comes salvation, just as St Mary was pure, undefiled and consecrated to the Lord, so the church is just as Christ's body and blood was given to the world through St Mary, so the same through the church)
so the hymns to St Mary are sung to explain the symbolism of the bride representing the church.

This also fits with the non-symbolic meaning of the groom receiving his bride at the hands of the Church i.e - through her being handed to him by a bishop and/or priest - (rather then the western tradition of her being given by her physical father). And that they are united before God - at the alter- rather then walking in together.  

This also fits to explain the mystery of the sacrament - I.e two walk in separately as 2 and leave as 1.

I would be keen to learn the meaning behind the church cannon if it is different. 


We have been informed that other servants in Egypt and America and Europe have practiced the sacramental ritual as discussed above - But I was also informed that His Holiness does not endorse this as it is a practice that is no longer done

Can someone tell me if the change in practice is now the official rite/cannon or has it just been phased out with no apparent reason

Who is responsible for the church canon/rites is there an authority responsible for this that I can contact?

andrew8345

What aspect exactly does H.H. not endorse?

April_fool82

I was informed that his holiness does not endorse the bride walking down the isle seperate to the groom but that they are to enter the church together

i don't understand the meaning begind this and would be keen to hear from anyone who knows (especially since the symbolism behind entering seperately is so apparent)

and if anyone has any contact with the comittee of rites and can provide me a contact it'll be much appreciated