The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1900-02-24

tokens. In ancient times 1t was the
custom to perform the rite of betrothal
apart from that of marriage, but now
the latter is performed Immediately
after the former. AS rule both rites
must be performed in church in the
presence of witnesses, but in an excep-
tional case the rites may be performed
In a private house. In the rite OF be-
trothal the priest, preceded by Tampa
dairy, makes his appearance In the
church, holding in his hands a cross
and testament, which he lays on the
lectern. Then he approaches the bride
and groom, who are already standing
In the aisle, and blesses them thrice
with two lighted candles, which he
hands to them, and then conducts them
back to the lectern swinging a censor.
When he reaches the lectern the cere-
mony begins. First he takes the rings,
which he has already received from the
bride and groom in advance OF the
service. With the golden ring he
makes the sign Of the cross thrice
above the groom's head. with the
words. 1.-THE servant of God, NJ, is be-
trothed to the handmade Of God, N, In
the name of the Father, and Of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost This he
repeats thrice, then slips the ring on
the fourth finger of the groom's right
hand. The same proceeding Is re-
peated with the brides silver ring.
After the betrothal, it is prescribed by
the canons of the church that the
sponsor-the groom's best man-shall
change the rings thrice from one to
the other, SO that the brides silver
ring remains with the groom, and the
groom's golden ring remains with the
bride. The rings are given in token OF
the lifelong union into which they
are entering.
Next comes the rite of marriage.
When this stage is reached the priest
asks them each separately whether
they have spontaneous wish and the
firm intention to contract the con
tugal union with each other ant
whether they have not promised tt
contract that union with some ont
else. On receiving their affirmative
answer to the first question and theil
negative to the second, the priest pro
ceeds to the actual rite OF marriage
This rite begins with blessing tn
kingdom of the most holy Trinity. ant
with the great Ectenia. To this &c
tenia are added petitions on behalf o
the new consorts, that they be grantee
a blessing upon their marriage, chasti
ty. well-favored children and Joy II
them: a blameless life, an unfadinI
crown Of glory in the heavens, and al
Q abundance of the good things Of tn
earth, so that they may be enabled t
assist the needy; that the Lord ma
helm the wife to obey her husband, an
the husband to be the head of his wife
that he may remember also the parent
who reared them, as parents prayer
= make firm the foundations of houses
Next the priest puts a crown on tn
: head Of the groom, repeating tn
y words: The servant Of God, N,
crowned for the handmade Of God, N
u In the name Of the Father and Of tn
Z Son and of the Holy Ghost This b
repeats, placing the crown on u
& head of the bride. after which
; blesses them thrice, saying. oh, LORI
g our God, with glory and honor crow
> them
u after the ceremony Of marriage an
Is the blessing a psalm is sung, in whic
the essence of the sacrament Of matr
mony is set forth: Thou hast set upo
their heads crowns Of precious stones
r; thew asked life of thee. and thou ga
.ol est it them After this lessons fro
/. the gospels and epistle are read. II
]: epistle lesson speaks of the important
N and of the mutual duties Of the COZ
4. sorts: the gospel tells OF Christ
i, presence at the wedding at Cana
u Galilee. The readings are followed
4 the triple Ectenia and the Ectenia
rf duplication, ending with the chan
ldl ing Of the Lords prayer. Then e.
~ Of wine is brought. The priest bless
: the cup and presents it alternately
N the husband and wife to drink fro
y three times to each. This common c
: signifies that they must live in an