The meaning of rings for the Orthodox Church
Rings in a wedding ceremony are considered an obligatory attribute, since they act not only as a material indicator indicating the status of the couple, but also carry spiritual overtones.
The most interesting thing is that it differs for each spouse, which is important to take into account and understand during the ceremony:
- for a man, a ring is needed as a symbol of the protector of his family, who takes upon himself a vow of selfless help and self-sacrifice for the benefit of his beloved;
- the bride, putting on a ring during the ceremony, makes a vow before God to remain faithful to her husband, supporting and protecting him in any everyday situation.
Why shouldn't you drop your wedding ring on the floor?
Sometimes, in a quarrel, spouses take off their wedding rings and throw them on the floor, thereby indicating that they want to get a divorce. The quarrel subsides, and everything seems to be fine. But everyone “remembers” the rings, as the signs say. You shouldn’t do this, because it can lead to a quick break in the relationship.
If you do drop the ring, whether on purpose or by accident, the following ritual will help correct the situation: take holy water from the church, put the ring in it for 3 days, and then put on and wear the jewelry for as long as possible.
The portal www.svadbagolik.ru told you what and why you should not do with wedding rings in order for the marriage to be long and happy (sell it, let it be tried on, drop it, etc.). But remember that these are just signs, and if you believe in good things, then this will happen, because thoughts are material!
How to wear it correctly
The rules for wearing wedding rings are no less strictly prescribed. It is believed that rings should be worn on the ring finger of the right hand. This is done for the following reasons:
- For Christians, the right side is always associated with good and truth. It is not for nothing that people cross themselves with their right hand, turning their thoughts to God;
- It is believed that blood from the ring finger reaches the heart the fastest. Thus, the blessing placed by the Almighty on the rings during the ritual will quickly fill the hearts of the betrothed with Divine blessing.
Difference from wedding
When undergoing a wedding ceremony at the registry office, the newlyweds have the right to choose any pair of rings they like, made from any material convenient for them. This can be expensive custom-made designer jewelry, or ordinary metal and even wooden rings. Wedding rings have strictly defined recommendations for the selection of materials and design. If they are not observed, the priest conducting the ceremony has the right to postpone it indefinitely.
Note! Jewelry for a wedding and for a marriage ceremony should be different.
Wedding rings – what should they be according to the rules?
While preparing for the sacrament of wedding, future newlyweds often wonder what wedding rings should be like according to church rules. In reality, these decorations must comply with many Orthodox canons, however, today some of them are no longer observed. Nevertheless, deeply religious people remain faithful to church rules and try to take into account all the recommendations that the clergy give them.
Traditionally, the Orthodox Church sets the following criteria that wedding rings must meet:
- these products must be made of only one metal, other inclusions are not allowed;
- cannot be made from cheap raw materials, plastic, wood and other materials;
- they should not have large drawings or ornate patterns;
- wedding rings must be new; other people should not wear them before the sacrament. It is strictly forbidden to marry with a widow's accessory;
- Husband and wife should have jewelry made of different metals. According to Orthodox canons, the husband has gold, and the wife has silver, or vice versa;
- these products should have a modest and laconic appearance;
- rings purchased for a wedding should not be used to register a marriage with the registry office.
Wedding ring and wedding ring - the difference
According to the rules of the church, future newlyweds who decide not only to register their marriage, but also to undergo the sacrament of wedding, need to purchase two pairs of jewelry. Currently, this requirement is often not met, since jewelry is very expensive, and not every young person can afford to purchase several models.
However, when preparing for a church sacrament, it is important to know how wedding rings differ from engagement rings. The latter can be absolutely anything - the registry office does not establish any rules in this regard
Thus, modern couples in love often purchase luxurious jewelry with precious stones, with combined inserts, bright and noticeable engraving, magnificent ornaments and other decorative elements. Subsequently, these products are worn solely for beauty, without thinking at all about the meaning they carry.
The church and clergy, on the contrary, put forward a number of important requirements that must be taken into account when choosing accessories for the wedding sacrament. According to the canons, they should be as modest and laconic as possible, they should not have flashy or noticeable decorative elements, they should not be too conspicuous. Large gemstones and patterns are completely unacceptable.
Options
When choosing wedding rings, pay attention to the following options:
- simple, without any decoration;
- moderately decorated;
- with neat, non-provocative inscriptions;
- matching jewelry;
- rings;
- engraved jewelry;
Simple and unadorned
Classic rings, made in the form of a single strip of metal, are the best choice for a wedding. The less the headband is overloaded with decorative elements, the better for the ceremony. Remember that in this ritual, rings do not serve as jewelry indicating status and wealth, but are a symbol of marital fidelity, which the newlyweds swore before God.
Decorated
If a couple still wants to add a bit of individuality to the rings, they should choose jewelry with a minimal amount of decor. There shouldn't be any problems with just one stone inlaid into the bezel, but it's best to first discuss the purchase with the church representative who will perform the wedding ceremony. Remember - the more elaborate the jewelry, the greater the likelihood that the ceremony will not be performed.
With inscriptions
It is not forbidden to make inscriptions on the rings that meet the following requirements:
- the inscription is made in the form of a vow that the newlyweds make before each other and the Lord God;
- the inscription is made in the form of the names of the betrothed;
- the inscription does not contain any blasphemous speeches that are not pleasing to the Lord God;
- the inscription quotes an excerpt from a prayer that the newlyweds consider significant for their new family.
The same
An excellent choice would be to buy identical rings that do not differ from each other in design. This indicates harmony in a relationship where one spouse does not want to stand out and dominate the other. This behavior is approved by both the church and secular authorities. The only difference that is allowed when choosing rings is the material from which they will be made. We'll talk about this a little later.
Rings
For those newlyweds who love variety and individuality, a good choice would be to purchase church rings made specifically for the wedding ceremony. They are strikingly different from standard wedding rings, without violating the requirements of the church.
The rings have the following features:
- they have an image of a cross on them, which is the best design for carrying out church sacraments;
- In addition to the image of the cross, on the rim of the ring there is a special church engraving in the form of prayers and sayings approved by the church.
In addition, the rings are made taking into account the quality requirements of the materials used, which is considered a significant advantage.
With engraving
The engraving applied to the ring bezel should not contain any provocative images or symbols. Allowed to apply:
- image of a loved one;
- church symbols;
- the date of the wedding or other significant day in the life of the future spouses.
Note! It is best to discuss the application of any images, inscriptions and other decorative elements with the priest in advance.
If he gives a blessing, feel free to bring your ideas to life.
What is the difference between wedding and engagement rings?
Engagement and wedding rings.
Nowadays, when going to a jewelry store, you may be faced with the problem of choice. There is a wide range of products on the shelves. Both wedding and engagement rings are available. However, those newlyweds who are getting married on the same day should really take a moment and decide which product is best to buy.
Let's start with the fact that the registry office doesn't care what kind of ring you have. It may not be a precious metal at all, but an ordinary fake, imitation of gold or silver. Rings, wide rings, and narrow wedding bands are considered acceptable.
Therefore, the choice is simply huge. Moreover, jewelry stores cannot but rejoice, because on the shelves there are both very budget and cheap options, as well as more complex, expensive ones. Choose based on your financial capabilities and desires.
Church canons are more strict and demanding. Therefore, if you have a registration and a wedding on the same day, then it is best to select accessories based on the requirements put forward by the church. In fact, she does not make too serious prohibitions. Both silver and gold items are acceptable in our time.
But the church still advises to be modest and down-to-earth. In this regard, the bride and groom should avoid too elaborate stones, patterns and curls. The ring should not attract the attention of others.
It should be a symbol of modest, pure and quiet love. As one famous expression says: “Happiness loves silence.” It is this basic requirement that should be taken into account when choosing a gold ring for your wedding.
How to choose metal
The choice of material should be approached with no less responsibility, since there are certain requirements for women's and men's wedding rings:
- The male version is made of gold. It symbolizes the divine glory of Jesus Christ;
- the women's is made of silver, which is associated with the church.
Together they form a strong union, combining the masculine and feminine principles. It is allowed to make inserts in rings from the opposite material, the main thing is that they do not dominate the main one.
Gold rings
Since ancient times, a golden ring for many peoples has meant the sun, as a symbol of light and joy of life. This can be confirmed in legends and songs. And in Orthodoxy, gold represents the glory of Christ.
The Orthodox wedding ring made of gold is especially popular. After all, it will last a long time, and will always look noble and gentle. If you prefer white gold, then such wedding rings can be complemented with small stones. White gold perfectly imitates silver items.
This metal also has a variety of colors, when it has a shade of pinkish or more yellow. This will help give the engagement ring an original look.
Additional tips and advice for choosing
When purchasing wedding rings, it is a good idea to pay attention to the following recommendations:
- New rings should be purchased together with your spouse. This way you will avoid disagreements, which will have a positive effect on the general mood before the wedding;
- try to choose suitable jewelry in the morning, as in the evening your fingers swell, and there is a possibility of making a mistake with the appropriate size when trying on;
- to avoid disagreements with the church, purchase simple jewelry that is not overloaded with various types of decorations;
- pay attention to the comfort of wearing. It’s better to buy something simpler, but more convenient, than to suffer with it for the rest of your life.
Answers to popular questions
Most spouses who want to seal their bonds with a wedding ceremony ask the same questions:
- what to do in case of divorce;
- what to do if one of the spouses lost a ring.
In case of divorce
In case of divorce, the ring must be removed and it is not recommended to wear it a second time. The clergy recommend approaching the wedding procedure with a special understanding of what is happening, since it is believed that this rite is eternal and indestructible.
You should not walk down the aisle for the sake of fashionable impulses if you are not completely confident in your choice.
Keep in mind that getting married again may not work out. Everything will depend on the clergyman and the church. Some holy fathers warn newlyweds that in case of divorce they should not come to him for debunking, and without this it is impossible to undergo the sacrament again.
If you lost
There are situations in life when the symbol of marital fidelity is lost by one of the spouses, due to inattention or an unfortunate coincidence of circumstances. In this case, it is recommended to purchase a new ring, as similar as possible to the old one, and consecrate it again, from the priest who performed the ceremony for the first time.
Keep in mind that losing a ring is considered bad luck, so try not to remove it without a good reason. It is better to constantly wear it on your finger than to waste time looking for a new one and explaining the reasons for the loss to the church.
Why can't you sell engagement rings?
If you are legally married and decide to sell your rings, then your marriage will not “live” for long, because signs say that in this way you are “selling” your family happiness and well-being.
If the couple is already divorced, then selling the rings will be the right decision. Why can't you keep your engagement ring after a breakup? Their presence in the house can become an obstacle to creating a new family. And even more so, you should not wear such rings, even on the opposite hand (we remind you on which hand wedding rings are worn: on the right - Orthodox, on the left - Catholics).
Previously, it was generally believed that rings after divorce should be melted down or drowned in a pond. It is unlikely that anyone will throw a gold ring into a pond, but it is quite possible to melt it down into a new piece of jewelry.
