The Wedding Ring – Its History and Significance in the Tradition of the Orthodox Church

Abstract

In Orthodox Church practice, the Sacrament of Marriage is always preceded by the Rite of Engagement (gr. αρραβών), which is a prelude to the main ceremony. It is a sort of assurance that is given by a fiancée and a bridegroom which means that they intend to embark on a path of married life, and the engagement period allows them to prepare for that. This is also borne out by the translation of the ancient Greek term αρραβών (Hebrew: ērābōn), which means i.e. a guarantee, surety and pledge. However, Fr. J. Meyendorff interpolates that an engagement (...) is something more than just an obligation or duty. It expresses the actual marriage bond, which lacks only the sublime sacramental object. That is why it is celebrated just before wedding service. Its central moment is the placing on the fingers of the bride and groom wedding rings with the accompanying words of the priest: The servant of God (name) is betrothed to the handmaiden of God (name) in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen, and The handmaiden of God (name) is betrothed to the servant of God (name), in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Wedding ring is a sign, proof and pledge of the marriage of the bride and groom. Its circular form has neither beginning nor end, which is a symbol of eternity. The matter of which it is made has to constantly remind the spouses of the fact that they themselves did not put it on their fingers, but the One who is Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, and that the love which has joined them together will be often put to the test. However, just as gold is tried in the fire and is not damaged in any way, so their love, in difficult times, will resist arrows of temptations of the enemy of the human race directed at them.