Saint Volodymyr le Grand b
Ukrainian Orthodoxy
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Orthodoxie ukrainienne

Weddings on Fridays

Question:

I was wondering if you could tell me the restirctions of having a marriage ceremony on a Friday.

Answer:

Very Reverend Ihor Kutash kutash@unicorne.org

Friday is usually a day of fasting, since it is a day for remembering the Crucifixion of our Lord.  Thus, since Marriages are occasions for festivities, their celebrations would normally not be allowed on Fridays.  

Actually since the liturgical day begins in the evening, Marriages ought not to be celebrated on Saturday either, because the festivities get in the way of the Sunday Liturgy.  However, most Orthodox communities, especially in North America, have, to my knowledge, adapted to the surrounding culture and do celebrate Marriages on Saturday.  This is permitted for pastoral reasons, but it is an exception to what would be considered appropriate.  Sunday afternoon is the best time for celebrating Marriages according to the Church's liturgical tradition.

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