How to bless the bride and groom

In the old days that consisted of only a Church marriage could not be and speeches about the wedding without parental blessing. Even if the bride and groom got engaged secretly without parental consent, then they tried to earn their forgiveness, and even retroactively to the marriage blessing. It was believed that only in this case their marriage will be truly pleasing to God. Now marriages are not registered in the Church and in the offices of the Registrar. However, in Orthodox families there is still the ritual of parental blessing.

Instruction

1. Before marriage the groom's parents bless the son, and the bride's parents – daughter. This must be done before the groom coming for the bride and begin the ceremony of redemption, that is, every family makes it at home.
2. The father and mother of the groom is supposed to stand close to each other right in front of the son, but the father needs to keep the icon with the image of Christ. Religious canons of the groom is supposed, in the blessing to kneel. The father three times, baptizes the son of the icon, and then transmits the icon of the mother. She's doing exactly the same things. The groom is supposed then to make the sign of the sign of the cross and kiss the face of Christ (that is to kiss the icon).
3. The same ceremony must make the father and mother of the bride at her house. Only instead of icons with the image of Christ, they bless the daughter of an icon of the virgin.
4. After you have conducted the bride, all going to the wedding ceremony. If the registry office is a wedding in the Church, parents of the newlyweds are supposed to stand behind them on both sides. The father and mother of the groom takes place closer to the son, the bride's parents, respectively, closer to daughter. Once the sacrament of marriage will come the groom's parents return home to prepare for the meeting of the young husband and wife.
5. Before the young come into the house or in another room with my husband's parents once again bless them with the icon, then bring them a traditional treat: a wedding loaf (bread and salt). By tradition, the young must in turn take a bite out of it.
6. People who poorly adhere to religious canons, and even atheists often bless their children before the wedding. Only this rite is performed without the use of icons, and is more of a symbolic role: wishes happiness to young friendly and long life in marriage.