Wedding traditions yesterday, today, tomorrow: how to bless the young?

Regardless of the era and time, the wedding is a wonderful rite with its thousand-year history, traditions and the script of the event. It should be noted that each nation has its own, special. We will ask how it is customary in Orthodoxy.

Rite of blessing

The very word "blessing" refers to polysemantic vocabulary, but one of its main, primary meanings sounds like "glorifying someone or something, exaltation." In other words, this is a wish for success, luck, happiness, the ability to fulfill the plan, etc. If this term is applied to the groom with the bride, then for them, blessing means the desire to create a united family, to live in joy and love, understanding, loyalty and prosperity. "And how do you bless the young," you ask? Differently.

If we turn to history, then the action took place in this way. After the matchmaking and betrothal, when the young man and the girl announced their desire to create a family, the parents in agreement signed them with the sign of the cross, kissed on the forehead, congratulated. The young either fell to their knees, or bowed low. The ceremony could be performed by the father and mother on both sides or with one.

How do you bless young people if there are no parents? Then the mission is assigned to the elders in the family: the grandfather with the grandmother, the aunt or uncle, the brother, the sister. Finally, to give a farewell to a new family life have the right to godfather future newlyweds. Important nuance: for the performance of the action the betrothed must necessarily be baptized. If the dedication to God from one of them was not, it must be passed. When and how are young people blessed?

The second parting is given to the groom and the bride before going to the registrar's office. Before this legal formality became strictly binding, there was a consecration of marriage in the church. When the young were to go to the crown, before leaving the house, they again received the blessing of family icons or images, bought especially for this occasion. Icons were then given to a young couple to protect their peace and happiness. The bride and groom three times with a cross sign with special prayers and kind wishes.

And, finally, how do you bless the youngest for the third time? Tradition says that this is done after the wedding (painting), when young officially received the status of a young family. Before entering the house where the wedding will be celebrated, parents meet them with bread and salt, icons, say wishes and parting words. The word is kept by the father of the newlywed, the bread is his mother. Young congratulate, baptize and kiss. Those in return thank and promise to honor the elders and build a happy family home. Of course, even in the first quarter of the 20th century, the rite was actual and compulsory. Modern young people often do without it. Or observe the formal side of the ritual. But there are many couples that give him a really great value.

Icons for blessing

What icon blesses the young? The question is rather subtle. First, as already mentioned, it can be a family image, passed down from generation to generation just at such a rite. Such images, already namolennye, have a strong positive energy, especially if the marriage of the parents of the current young, their grandfathers and grandmothers, etc. Was successful, long and happy. And they will become good protectors for a new young family. Secondly, an image of Peter and Fevronia of Murom, the saints recognized as the guardians of the family hearth, can become such an icon. It is also customary to bless icons with God's Mother and Savior - male and female. The image of Nicholas the Wonder-worker is also suitable. And the last subtlety about how to bless the young is right. The icons are taken to the church (or registry office), then hung in the red corner of one of the rooms of the house where the young people settle.

To observe or not to observe the tradition is a private matter for every young family. But if you want to get a completely sincere message of happiness, live a long life together in joy - it's better to let the blessing of the parental and God be with you!