New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1883-01-17
4 Greek Wedding il London.

A Creek Wedding IN London.
Last week Twas present at An inter.
esting ceremony in the beautiful Greek
church at Bayswater, which in itself is
. study Of Byzantine architecture and
elaborate decoration. A Greek maiden
was to wed one Of her own nation, and
to make her future home in classic
Athens among his people. But very
few young women. excepting the brides
maids, we're present, and l noticed that
the men and women sat on different
sides of the church, as in our own very
high churches. As the bridal party
walked up the center of the church, two
golden doors above the altar steps were
thrown open, and two priests appeared,
gorgeously robed, wearing curious hat
like coverings to their heads, much like
those worn by Jewish rabbis. One Of
these, the Archimandrite, is a hand
some man. They descended, each hold
ing a cross in his hands, and proceeded
with the ceremony In language quite
unknown to me, and found it was
equally unintelligible to distinguished
Greek scholar who was with me, who
explained that the pronunciation Of
modern Greek differed so much from
that of the ancient Greek of the univer-
sity schools, that though he could read
it tolerably, he could in no way under
stand or converse in it. It was noticea-
BILE that no instrumental music enters
into the service of the Greek Church,
but the voice alone chanting or inton.
ing the prayers and responses, conducts
the whole service.
was curious to know why had
seen two wreaths on the table, think
ing perhaps that two birds were expect
ed. but I found that in this verd sym.
bolical ceremony the bridegroom ID
crowned with flowers as we'll as the
bride. This is solemnly done by the
priest, and the wreaths are crossed and
exchanged above the heads of the pair
in wonderful way, until, with them
supported as we'll as possible in position
by an attendant groomsman. the BRIDE
groom is led by. the priest, informing as
he walks, still holding his bride by the
hand. in sort of procession round the
center table of the church, followed by
the bridesmaids and the assistant mat
ron, and by two young men of the par
ty, each holding . large wax candle,
about six feet high, lighted, and wreath.
ed with white flowers and satin ribbon.
It must have been q trying position TO,
the young man, and certainly neither q
dignified nor solemn one to an outsider,
looking more like the performance in 8
cotillon than religious service, but
was told that in the Greek Church
much is symbolical, and appeals only
to those who can estimate the signi6.
canoe Of each little ceremony. This
professional march indicated Joy and
rejoicing, as by dance.
The sign of the cross was very con.
stantly made by the congregation. as in
Roman Catholic service, and the thicl
gold wedding ring was used for tina,
purpose by the priest on the forehead o.
both bride and bridegroom before il
was placed on the lady's finger. The
pair partook of the bread and wine un
der the same symbol. OF course, the
marriage was really and legally effected
by the registrar at an early period of the
day, and a Greek lady told me that thu
ceremony we witnessed included botf
betrothal and marriage, hence its length
and variety.
In such classic society as this w
scarcely expected ordinary food, but
found that good English roast bee
agreed admirably with preserved ros.
leaves and delicious honey from Noun
Hymettus, where the bees of to-day still
extract luscious fragrance from luxuri
ant and perfumed flowers, under thu
sunny skies of Attica, as they did in tn,
ancient times of classic story. TIL,
honey cakes we had for lunch on thi!
occasion shall not soon forget. They
were dream of flowers and ambrosia
sweetness, and were washed down by .
rich wine which tasted to me like nectar
-Ltverp0oI Courier.