The Sacred Mysteries
Holy Matrimony
The Sacrament of Crowning
Holy Matrimony — known in the Armenian tradition as the Sacrament of Crowning — is one of the seven sacraments of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Like all sacraments, it is not merely a ceremony but an action of Christ Himself, performed through the hands of an ordained priest within the life of the Church. Through it, the Holy Spirit bestows divine gifts upon the couple — love, righteousness, patience, and endurance — as they begin their life together.
Marriage Is Holy
From the very beginning, God ordained the union of man and woman: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth” (Genesis 1:28). Holy Matrimony is therefore a divine order with a sacred purpose — the procreation of children and the formation of a family: a little kingdom within the larger Kingdom of God.
God's initiative is always holy. Marriage carried out in accordance with His will carries with it the promise of virtuous life, moral uprightness, and a home ordered toward His glory.
Matrimony Is a Sacrament
Jesus Christ did not merely acknowledge marriage — He sanctified it. Following His Father's creation, He granted it His endorsement and blessing, emphasizing the inseparable unity between husband and wife. The divine initiative and the moral foundation set by Christ make marriage a Holy Sacrament.
Marriage is not only a covenant before God; it demands a life commitment of the husband and wife toward each other. It is this combination — Christ's sanctification and the couple's total, lifelong self-giving — that constitutes the sacramental nature of Christian marriage.
The Meaning of Christian Marriage
St. Paul drew a profound parallel between marriage and the relationship of Christ and His Church. As the Church is united to Christ and obedient to Him, so the wife is united to her husband; and as Christ cherishes and nourishes His Church, so the husband is called to love his wife — with bond of love, respect, and mutual devotion, all ultimately rendered to Christ our Lord.
The unity between husband and wife is therefore a holy unity: an image of Christ's own love for His people.
Central to this unity is permanence. Jesus declared: “Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate.” The Armenian Church offers lengthy prayers for the sanctity and lasting unity of the couple, recognizing that understanding, patience, and mutual responsibility are the safeguards of a holy marriage.
Why Do We Call It Crowning?
The Armenian Church crowns the bride and groom as king and queen — either by placing actual crowns on their heads, or by circling the forehead with a traditional tricolor braid (white, green, and red) bearing a small cross at the front. This act of crowning symbolizes the establishment of a new household: a kingdom within the Kingdom of God.
A Distinctly Armenian Tradition
At the moment of crowning, a special hymn is sung dedicated to King Trdat and Queen Ashkhen — the first king and queen of Armenia, who embraced Christianity as the state religion in 301 AD. The central prayer of the service calls for the “placing of crowns with precious gems on their heads,” invoking both royal dignity and sacred blessing.
The crowns are later removed with a special prayer. In this way, the Church teaches that true royalty is not dominion but humility — a life of service, dignity, and dedication under the banner of the Cross.
The Rite of Holy Matrimony
The rite of Holy Matrimony is performed exclusively by an ordained priest and must take place within a church. It is the Church alone that unites the betrothed on behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ — the sanctity of the union is sealed by His hands. Where there is no Armenian church, a sister church in the community may be used.
The ceremony includes the exchange of vows and the blessing of the wedding rings, which the priest presents individually for each spouse to wear on the left hand. It is the Holy Spirit acting through the sacrament that bestows upon the couple the divine gifts of love, righteousness, patience, and endurance needed for a holy marriage.
Arranging Your Wedding at St. Mary
Couples wishing to be married at St. Mary should contact the parish office as early as possible. At least two meetings with the officiating priest are required in the months before the wedding, covering pastoral counseling, practical preparation, and scheduling.
- Dates: There are periods in the church calendar — including the forty days of Great Lent — during which marriages may not be blessed. The priest will advise the couple on available dates.
- Certificates: Both parties must provide certificates of Baptism and Chrismation. If either has not received these sacraments, they must do so prior to the wedding.
- Application: An application form is completed to provide the couple's identity, age, and marital status for church records and the issuance of a church marriage certificate.
- Divorced individuals must provide the appropriate civil documents.
Planning a wedding at St. Mary?
Reach out to the parish office to begin the conversation with our Pastor.