Is it possible to have a wedding during Lent: what does the church say?
Orthodox Christians, when faced with the question of a wedding, often wonder whether it is possible to celebrate this event and get married during Lent.
Fasting and wedding
In the modern world, young couples think about this topic less and less, but they should pay more attention to church leaders and Christian traditions.
There are no clear rules on this issue. Many people are of the opinion that a wedding can be celebrated during Lent, although another part of the population truly believes the opposite.
You should also separate all types of wedding events - a holiday, a formal party (registry office) and a church wedding. Each of them in Orthodoxy has its own strength, so when making an important decision, you should remember: almost one hundred percent of people often formally register their marriage during Lent, and have a wedding, celebrating it with family and friends, only later.
Church opinion
The Church has a clear opinion regarding the celebration of marriage during Lent. During the largest of them, and especially during Lent, it is prohibited to organize holidays, since fasting is a time of repentance and reading prayers.
Weddings are strictly prohibited during any fast. This is an important rule that every priest must know, therefore, asking him such a question, you can only get a negative answer. Permission to get married during Lent can be obtained only in the most extreme cases - for example, when a man goes to war.
Also, you cannot celebrate a wedding on many great holidays, which are best learned about in church. Among these, it should be noted, for example, temple or twelfth holidays.
Remember that a wedding is a holiday that involves fun and joy. During Lent, the church prohibits celebrations and weddings. This is a strict rule that must be followed by all Orthodox Christians. Follow the Orthodox calendar or ask the church if any wedding date is suitable for you so that it complies with church regulations. Good luck, love, and don't forget to press the buttons and
IS IT POSSIBLE TO SIGN UP FOR CHURCH FAST?
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Nowadays, when there are many forms of married life in society, the question of whether it is possible to marry during Lent is separate from the question of whether it is possible to get married during Lent. What's the difference between these two concepts? As you know, today the church recognizes two types of marriage: registered by the state in the registry office and registered by the church during the wedding. Civil, that is, unregistered marriage, which is popular in our time, stands apart - the church does not recognize it, calling it nothing other than prodigal cohabitation. The reason for this is that, according to Orthodox priests, such life together does not imply responsibility. One priest said that a civil marriage is like an apartment with a constantly open door: you can leave at any time, but it’s cold and uncomfortable inside. Those living in a so-called civil marriage are not allowed to receive communion, as fornicators, and if a person wants to live as an Orthodox Christian should, the marriage must be registered, and then get married.
Is it possible to sign for Russian Orthodox Lent? The Church does not regulate a person’s relationship with the state, therefore, if there is an urgent need, then you can sign for fasting, but in this case it is worth holding off on celebrating on a grand scale.
Is it possible to sign for Orthodox Lent: the difference between a married marriage and an unmarried one
So, we found out that you can sign a post. But why, in this case, can’t you get married? Why does the church allow marriage registration during Lent, but does not give a blessing for entering into a church marriage? The fact is that, as has already been said, it is better to reschedule the painting at the registry office, if possible. But it often happens that first, young people submit an application and set a day for registration, notify relatives and friends, and then they want to agree on a wedding in a church, and at this stage they find out that they will not be married, and it is not advisable to sign for fasting. After all, marriage always presupposes intimate intimacy, and during Lent it is not desirable (in fact, this is precisely what the ban on weddings is connected with).
In this case, you can sign for the church fast, taking witnesses with you to register, and modestly, in a Lenten manner, celebrating the solemn event with them (the church recognizes a marriage registered by the state, and without a marriage certificate does not even perform the sacrament of wedding). Other relatives and friends can be notified that they are invited to a solemn wedding, which will take place at the end of Lent on such and such a day, and that after the wedding everyone is expected in the restaurant in order to share the joy with the young spouses.
Is it possible to sign during Lent: what to do with the festive feast
Very often a situation arises when it is impossible to escape from the wedding feast during Lent. There may be many and very different reasons for this: we do not live in a world where everyone strictly adheres to Orthodox rules, and therefore we have to give in to relatives in order to maintain peace in the family.
In this case, you can sign up for the Russian Orthodox fast, and you shouldn’t sit at the holiday with a sour face: God is merciful, and Christianity is a religion of love, and not a set of laws, the violation of which will inevitably be met with heavenly punishment. And there is no need to go to extremes, placing exclusively fasting dishes on the festive table, because there will be not only fasting people at the table. If you already have to sign up for Lent, then you don’t have to do it forcefully, because this is one of the most important days in your life, and on it you should thank God for the happiness given, and not be self-flagellation. You will still have a lot of time ahead to prove your faithfulness to God.
Wedding during Lent: is it possible to get married?
Most newlyweds are very careful when choosing their wedding date. To do this, checking with all kinds of calendars, horoscopes and even folk customs. But is it true that the wedding date affects married life and is it possible to sign for fasting?
You will not find a clear answer to this question. Because there are many different opinions. Who to trust and how to protect yourself from troubles in your married life? Using many different resources and conducting thorough research, we have prepared answers to your pressing questions.
Wedding in Lent: pros and cons
In the minds of Ukrainians and the entire Orthodox world, the opinion has become stronger that a wedding during Lent is a great sin and will bring misfortune to the newlyweds. But why did this opinion arise? It’s worth going back to the basics to understand what fasting is.
In Orthodoxy, fasting is considered a time to cleanse a person’s soul and prepare for a major church holiday. At this time, people not only limit their diet by eating lean dishes, but also cleanse their souls. During Lent, you should devote time to God, go to Church, and refrain from noisy celebrations and concerts. Already married couples are also prohibited from having sex during Lent. This is precisely the main reason for the ban on getting married during Lent.
On what days does the Church prohibit getting married?
The Orthodox Church does not conduct wedding ceremonies on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. As was previously mentioned, getting married during Lent is not allowed. This rule applies especially strictly to Lent and the Nativity Fast, as well as to the Assumption and Peter the Great Fasts. Also, weddings are prohibited during major Orthodox and church holidays, Christmastide and Good Friday. On all other days you can safely get married.
If you or your loved ones are believers, then it is better not to violate church rules. You can always reschedule the holiday to a more favorable time. However, if there is an urgent need to get married urgently, then perhaps the best option would be to get married, and after the end of the fast, get married and have a wedding.
What happens if you get married during Lent?
Weddings during Lent have become overgrown with a huge number of myths and superstitions, which are already difficult to distinguish from the truth. It is believed that those who get married during Lent will not have a happy family life. However, these are only fictions to make people take the Church more seriously and comply with religious precepts.
If you decide to celebrate during Lent, we advise you to take into account a few simple rules that will help you avoid embarrassment in front of your guests. There must be lenten dishes on the festive table in case one of the guests is fasting. Try to avoid or limit the amount of alcohol consumed during the banquet.
The advantages that getting married during Lent will bring are low prices and the absence of hype. You can book your favorite restaurant or photography services without any hassle and much cheaper.
The answer to the question of whether it is possible to have a wedding in Lent is very simple. It depends only on your desires and personal choice. One thing is certain, mutual love cannot be destroyed simply by a poorly chosen day. It is much stronger than all superstitions.
Features of wedding festivities post
The fact that some newlyweds do not plan a wedding on their wedding day (or at all in general) and organize a wedding celebration during Lent does not mean that they are far from the faith or are atheists. Circumstances may turn out differently, but nothing can stop true love. And if a wedding during Lent is inevitable, then you can take into account at least some of the nuances of this period:
- Wedding menu. Compliance with fasting (including in terms of eating this or that food) is a personal matter for everyone. But if the newlyweds assume (or know for sure) that there will be believers among the guests, then Lenten dishes must be present on the wedding table. Moreover, they should be a full-fledged part of the entire wedding menu, and not placed only on the table of the person who is fasting. More fruits, vegetables and seafood will not spoil the feast. You also need to worry about drinks for fasting people, because alcohol is also prohibited for them.
- Entertainment. Lent is a time of restraint and humility, but not mourning. No one forbids rejoicing and celebrating significant events during this period, but you need to have moderation in everything. Competitions, games and other entertainment can be fun and entertaining, but it’s better to avoid tasks with spicy overtones, which are especially popular at youth weddings. Preference should be given to tests aimed at demonstrating romantic feelings: compliments, affectionate names, remembering memorable dates of the newlyweds, etc. A good wedding does not have to be frivolous and very noisy.
- Music. Another prohibition during fasting concerns festivities and dancing. If the wedding is planned to be small and in a narrow circle, then it is quite possible to do without entertainment on the dance floor. When it is not possible to completely give up dancing, you can try to get by with restrained, slow and quiet compositions. And also, one should not forget about the views and feelings of the guests, and one should not be offended by those who, for personal reasons, cannot attend the entire wedding until the morning.
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A wedding is a special celebration that you want to be the only one in your life. Therefore, all newlyweds strive to make the most of it. If the restrictions of fasting prevent the couple from fully enjoying the holiday, then it is better to choose another date for the wedding.
Is it possible to register a marriage during Lent?
Registry offices do not adhere to church calendars. They have their own work schedule, which they strictly follow. You can get married in a state institution regardless of fasting days.
It is rather the choice of the person himself whether he wants to have fun and celebrate during “light sadness” (as priests sometimes call fasting). The Church considers an officially concluded marriage to be the basis for starting family life.
Even if the ceremony at the registry office was not followed by a wedding. Moreover, the priest will agree to marry a married couple only after they provide a marriage certificate.
This is done to avoid deception, conflicts, and also to make sure that the couple’s decision to become spouses is serious. But the so-called “civil marriage” in Orthodoxy is considered fornication. The priests do not even allow such a couple to take communion.
Marriage registration during Orthodox holidays
You can register a marriage at the registry office during any Orthodox holidays, unless they are designated as public holidays. According to church rules, everything is different.
Great Christian holidays cannot be combined with weddings. The days on which they fall have a different, special purpose.
Therefore, it is better not to schedule the ceremony for the period before and on the days of the twelve main holidays of Orthodoxy. Their dates can be found in any church calendar.
But there are several other holidays when weddings are not only not prohibited, but are even considered auspicious. Among them are the days of veneration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God (21.07 and 4.11), the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God - 26.10 and St. Nicholas the Veshny (The World of Lycia) - 22.05.
Most of the Christian Church holidays fall on different dates every year. Before deciding on the day of the ceremony, you need to carefully study the calendar, which indicates fasting, continuous weeks and great holidays.
Is it possible to get engaged
According to the current Constitution, religion and social activities are kept separate. In the registry office there are no prohibitions on painting during Lent. The lovers submit an application and, according to current legislation, get engaged on the appointed day. If the newlyweds simply get married without having a noisy feast, nothing bad will happen. In other cases, as soon as you start talking about a wedding during Lent, criticism from the older generation will immediately fall. Parents know for sure that they cannot get married at this time.
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When is it prohibited?
The church calendar has 4 multi-day fasts and 3 one-day fasts, and you also need to fast every Wednesday and Friday. You cannot have a wedding on the following days:
- Christmas post. November 28 - January 6. By the way, the New Year falls during Lent, but no one adheres to it. On New Year's Eve, people have fun, drink alcohol, have sex, and enjoy life.
- Great. It happens at different times every year. Depends on when Easter is. In 2021, you need to fast from March 2 to April 18.
- Petrov. June 24 - July 11.
- Uspensky. August 14 - 27.
During this period, it is not recommended to get married, get married, or have a wedding. At the same time, it is allowed to register a marriage at the registry office.
Pros and cons of the ceremony
There is one advantage - fewer weddings in the registry office. Our people are superstitious, so few people decide to attend a wedding ceremony. People think that by doing this they can bring trouble upon themselves. If there is even a drop of doubt, it is better to reschedule the date and wait for a favorable period.
