Marriage

The Mysterion of Marriage begins your life together with the proper understanding that God is our Father who Blesses and Sanctifies our life as husband and wife. He completes and fulfills the love you have for one another and Blesses that love to create a fruitful and lasting Marriage. May your home become a place of love, peace and harmony that reflects God’s Kingdom in your life and the lives of your family and friends.

PLEASE Remember: At Kimisis we are blessed with a beautiful church, classrooms, offices, and a Cultural Center. Maintaining these spaces and supporting the ministries of Kimisis, including the sacrament you have requested, requires the time, effort, and financial support of our parishioners. Please recognize your responsibility and be generous with your support.

STEWARDSHIP

The people of Kimisis meet the financial obligations that provide the opportunity to celebrate your scheduled Holy Mystery. For this reason, the Church asks for as much help as possible in offsetting the expenses that are associated with preparing for and offering services at our parish.

 

Bride and/or groom from Kimisis GOC, Poughkeepsie, NY

Current Stewards of Kimisis who have fulfilled their Stewardship obligation for the past and current year are asked to provide a free will offering to the Church.

 

New Members

Those who have just moved to the area/or are inactive and wish to actively join our Church. Please make a stewardship commitment. This can be done at the Church office or through the following link:

Visiting from another Church Community

If you are visiting from another parish and would like to receive the Sacrament of Marriage at Kimisis, a donation of $1800 is requested. Please send this payment to the church office in addition to our Wedding Agreement Form.

 

Sponsors/koumbaro(a) from Kimisis: A sponsor (koumbaro/a) must be a Baptized/Chrismated Orthodox Christian who is a faithful member of the Church. Their marriage must be blessed by the Church. They also must be faithful Stewards of Kimisis and fulfill their financial obligations.

 

Sponsor/koumbaro(a) from another Church: If the sponsor is from an Orthodox Christian Church other than Kimisis, written verification from his/her Parish Priest must be presented stating that spiritually & financially the sponsor is a member in good standing of said Parish. It must be sent to our Church office at least one month prior to the Sacrament. If the sponsor is not a member of a Church, he/she can become a member of Kimisis.

ITEMS NEEDED

In order to process your ecclesiastical marriage license, we will need:

  • Copies of both of your baptismal certificates
  • A letter of good standing for the sponsor(s)
  • If either Bride or groom was previously married, you will need a copy of the ecclesiastical divorce or death certificate
  • Please fill out the online information questionnaire that we will send you so that we can fill out your affidavit for receiving the sacrament of marriage

The following items are also needed:

  • Two rings
  • Set of Stefana (crowns) attached by a long white ribbon.
  • Two white Lambades (candles 24-36 inches) tastefully decorated with white ribbons.
  • Customarily, Stefana (2 crowns) are placed on a silver tray with koufetta

 

Customarily, the koumbaro/a (sponsor) is responsible to provide these items as a gift to the couple.

***Please bring these items to the Church the day of the rehearsal.

 

REMINDERS

  • A New York Marriage License can be obtained from any city or town clerk in New York. It must be obtained within 72 hours of the wedding and is valid for 30 days.
  • All times and dates for the wedding must be made between the bride, groom and priest
  • All musicians (Psaltis, organists, etc.) must be authorized by the priest prior to the wedding
  • Non-Orthodox music must be authorized by the priest prior to the wedding
  • The Church does not permit party favors that are thrown in the church
  • Copies of wedding programs are available and can be found on our website
  • Inviting other Clergy: Please inform the priest if you plan to invite a Priest who is a relative or friend to participate in the Wedding Service. Also, please notify the Priest that a phone call is a required courtesy
  • Fees and honorariums: The fee for the psalti/chanter is $150.00. Please make sure fee is placed in an envelope marked “psalti”. If you plan on inviting a guest or relative to serve as the psalti/chanter, please notify the priest so that he will not schedule a psalti/chanter.
  • The fee for the cleaner is $100.00
  • It is often asked if an honorarium is required for the priest. That is at your discretion, taking into account the number of hours he has helped you prepare for your wedding, and also, the time needed to conduct the rehearsal. If an honorarium is offered, please make sure it is placed in an envelope marked for “priest.”

 

FLOWERS

The florist must call to schedule delivery and removal of the flowers with the Church office. A runner is not needed for the Church, and could be a tripping hazard on the marble floor. Make sure you have someone to install the runner securely. If possible, consider silk petals for flower girls’ baskets.

 

PHOTOGRAPHER AND VIDEOGRAPHER

The photographer and videographer must be reverent and discreet, preferably taking photos without a flash or lights. Make sure they speak with the priest prior to the service to receive instructions.

 

ARRIVAL AT CHURCH

The groom and ushers should arrive at Church at least a half hour before service is to begin. The sponsor (koumbaro/a) and the groom should be at their assigned place fifteen minutes before the service. The sponsor (koumbaro/a) needs to sign the Ecclesiastical License.

Seating of guests: Customarily, Bride’s guests are seated on the left facing the Altar: Groom’s guests are seated on the right. Guests may be taken down the side aisles to be seated. The bride and bridesmaids need to be at Church at least 10 minutes before service is to begin. They may use the coffee room to get ready.

****Master of ceremonies: It is helpful to appoint someone from your family or a friend who is a take charge person to act as “master of ceremonies.” His/her responsibility is to see that the entire wedding party is in place in front of the main Church doors at the proper time. He/she must make sure doors are opened and wedding party proceeds down the aisle. After the wedding party has entered the Church the doors must be closed. At the end of the Service he/she must make sure doors are placed in open position again. An “instruction” guide can be found on our website. Please review and share with MC. The MC will need to be at the rehearsal.

Pre-Marital Seminar

You are required to attend the Archdiocese Pre-Marital Seminar in preparation for your Marriage in order for the Archdiocese to issue the license. It takes place on Saturdays. See Archdiocese website for more information: “Journey of Marriage”

 

Please call Church Office for any questions (845) 452-0772 or email us at info@kimisisny.org.

 

May the blessings of the Lord will be with you as you prepare for this great event.