Holy Matrimony Guidelines
At Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, we are honored to accompany couples as they begin their life together through the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony. Marriage is a sacred covenant blessed by God and celebrated within the Armenian Apostolic Church. The following information will help you prepare for a meaningful and reverent wedding ceremony.
Church Contact Information
Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church
635 Grove Street
Worcester, MA 01605
Phone: (508) 852-2414
Email: holytrinityaac@gmail.com
Reserving Your Wedding Date
To schedule your wedding, please contact the church office at (508) 852-2414 as early as possible. Since wedding dates can fill quickly, we recommend selecting an alternate date in case your preferred date is unavailable. Whenever possible, scheduling accommodations will be made.
Please note that all wedding ceremonies are celebrated inside the church sanctuary. Outdoor wedding ceremonies are not permitted.
Preparing for the Sacrament
Matrimony Request Form
Please complete and submit the Matrimony Ceremony Request Form as soon as possible so the preparation process may begin.
Pre-Marital Counseling
Approximately two weeks before the wedding, the bride and groom will meet with the Parish Priest for pre-marital counseling. Two sessions, either in person or virtually, will be scheduled to help prepare the couple for Christian marriage and to answer any questions regarding the ceremony or the required questionnaire.
To arrange these meetings, please contact the Pastor at holytrinityaac@gmail.com.
Marriage License
Respect for the Holy Altar
Following the ceremony, the bride and groom are asked not to kiss in front of the Holy Altar.
During the Service
Out of reverence for the House of God, please refrain from applause, cheering, or other disruptions during the ceremony.
After the Ceremony
Rice may not be thrown inside the church or on the church steps. Birdseed, bubbles, flower petals, or other non-staining celebratory alternatives may be used outside the church after the ceremony.
Best Man Requirements
The best man is encouraged to be a member of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
If he belongs to another Christian tradition, he must be baptized and confirmed. Those baptized in Protestant churches must also receive Holy Muron (confirmation) within the Armenian Church before serving in this role.
Individuals who are not Christian may not serve as the best man during the ceremony.
Wedding Fees
All church fees should be paid to the church office no later than one week before the wedding ceremony.
Photography and Videography
Professional photographers and videographers are welcome to record your wedding while respecting the sacred nature of the worship service.
To preserve the dignity of the ceremony, photographers and videographers should avoid blocking the clergy or interfering with any part of the service. We strongly encourage your photography and video team to meet with the Pastor before the ceremony to review church guidelines and any necessary limitations.
Following the ceremony, photographs in front of the Holy Altar should be completed within approximately 30 minutes.
Wedding Day Guidelines
Respect for the Holy Altar
Following the ceremony, the bride and groom are asked not to kiss in front of the Holy Altar.
During the Service
Out of reverence for the House of God, please refrain from applause, cheering, or other disruptions during the ceremony.
After the Ceremony
Rice may not be thrown inside the church or on the church steps. Birdseed, bubbles, flower petals, or other non-staining celebratory alternatives may be used outside the church after the ceremony.
The Meaning of the Armenian Wedding Ceremony
The Armenian Sacrament of Holy Matrimony is filled with rich spiritual symbolism that reflects the lifelong union of husband and wife before Christ and His Church.
The Marriage Vows
The bride and groom publicly promise lifelong faithfulness, love, and commitment to one another.
The Blessing of the Rings
The priest blesses the wedding rings before they are exchanged. The rings symbolize the unity of the couple and their lifelong commitment to strengthen and support one another.
The Crowning
The crowning is the central moment of the Armenian wedding service. The crowns symbolize honor, dignity, and the sacred responsibilities of marriage. The bride and groom are crowned as the king and queen of their Christian home and are called to lead their family with wisdom, faith, love, and self-sacrifice.
The Common Cup
The couple drinks from a common cup of blessed wine, representing the sharing of one life together. From this moment forward, they embrace both life’s joys and its challenges as one family united in Christ.
We encourage you to learn more about the beauty and meaning of this Holy Sacrament. If you have any questions throughout the preparation process, our parish clergy and staff will be happy to assist you.
To request your wedding date, please complete the Matrimony Ceremony Request Form and submit it to the church office at your earliest convenience. We look forward to celebrating this joyful occasion with you.
Order of the Wedding Ceremony
The Processional
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn: Aysor Yergnayinkn (“Today the Angels Rejoice”)
Exhortation
Blessing of the Rings
Joining of the Right Hands
Hymn: Naya Ee Mez (“Look Upon Us and Have Mercy, O Christ”)
Hymn: Ourakh Ler Soorp Yegeghetsi (“Rejoice, O Holy Church”)
The Trisagion Hymn and Elevation of the Gospel
Litany of the Faithful
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:22–33 or 1 Corinthians 13:1–13
Gospel Reading: Matthew 19:3–6
Prayer of Crowning
Crowning of the Bride and Groom
Blessing of the Common Cup
Hymn: Takavor Yergnavor (“Heavenly King”)
Prayer of Dismissal
The Lord’s Prayer
The Recessional
Understanding the Parts of the Wedding Ceremony
The following explanations may also be printed in a wedding program so guests can better appreciate the meaning of the service.
The Sacrament
Holy Matrimony is one of the Holy Sacraments of the Armenian Apostolic Church. During this sacred service, a man and a woman pledge themselves to one another before Christ, the Church, and the gathered faithful. Their marriage is blessed by God and becomes a lifelong spiritual union.
The Blessing of the Rings
After the rings are blessed by the priest, they are exchanged by the bride and groom as a sign of mutual love, unity, and lifelong commitment. They also symbolize the couple’s shared journey, during which each enriches the life of the other.
The Exchange of Vows
The bride and groom freely affirm their commitment to remain faithful to one another throughout their lives together.
The Rite of Crowning
The crowning is the high point of the wedding service. The crowns represent the honor bestowed upon the couple by God as they begin their new life together. They are crowned as the spiritual leaders of their home and accept the responsibility to build a family rooted in faith, justice, wisdom, and love. The crowns also remind them that true love requires sacrifice for the good of one another.
The Blessing of the Common Cup
In Scripture, wine is a symbol of joy and blessing. By sharing from one common cup, the bride and groom demonstrate that from this day forward they will share every aspect of life together—its happiness, its trials, its successes, and its burdens—united in Christ.
Wedding Music
If you wish to include additional musical selections or instruments during the processional for the bridal party or the bride, please discuss your plans with the Pastor during your pre-marital meeting. The Pastor will review the church’s guidelines and help ensure that all music remains appropriate for the sacred celebration.
