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ElizabetharecrownedinthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit.Amen.x0ecrownsusedintheOrthodoxweddingservicerefertothecrownsofmartyrdomsinceeverytruemarriageinvolvesimmeasurableself-sacrix1ceonbothsides.THECOMMONCUPx0eserviceofcrowningisfollowedbythereadingoftheEpistleandtheGospel.x0eGospelreadingdescribesthemarriageatCanaofGalileewhichwasattendedandblessedbyourLordandSaviorChristandforwhichHereservedHisx1rstmiracle.x0ereHeconvertedthewaterintobetterwineandgaveofittothenewlyweds.Inremembranceofthisblessingwineisgiventothecouple.x0isisthecommoncupofbetterlifedenotingthemutualsharingofjoyandsorrowthetokenofalifeofharmony.x0edrinkingofwinefromthecommoncupservestoimpressuponthecouplethatfromthatmomentontheywillshareeverythinginlifejoysaswellassorrowsandthattheyaretobearoneanothersburdens.x0eirjoyswillbedoubledandtheirsorrowshalvedbecausetheywillbeshared.THEWALKx0epriesttiestogethertherighthandsofthebrideandgroomsignifyingtheirunion.HethenleadstheminacirclearoundthetableonwhichareplacedtheGospelandtheCrosstheonecontainingtheWordofGodtheotherbeingthesymbolofourredemptionbyourSaviorJesusChrist.x0ehusbandandwifearetakingtheirx1rststepsasamarriedcoupleandtheChurchinthepersonofthepriestleadstheminthewaytheymustwalk.x0ewayissymbolizedbythecircleatthecentersofwhicharetheGospelandtheCrossofourLord.x0isexpressesthefactthatthewayofChristianlivingisaperfectorbitaroundthecenteroflifewhoisJesusChristourLord.DuringthiswalkaroundthetableahymnissungtotheHolyMartyrsremindingthenewlymarriedcoupleofthesacrix1ciallovetheyaretohaveforeachotherinmarriage-alovethatseeksnotitsownbutiswillingtosacrix1ceitsallfortheoneloved.THEBLESSINGx0ecouplereturnstotheirplacesandthepriestblessingthegroomsaysBethoumagnix1edObridegroomasAbrahamandblessedasIsaacandincreasedasJacobwalkinginpeaceandworkinginrighteousnessthecommandmentsofGod.AndblessingthebridehesaysAndthouObridebethoumagnix1edasSarahandgladasRebeccaanddothouincreaselikeuntoRachelrejoicinginthineownhusbandfulx1llingtheconditionsofthelawforsoitiswellpleasinguntoGod.YOURPRESENCEInattendingthisMysteryweaskyounotonlytowitnessthemarriageoftwopeoplebutalsotoaddyourprayerstotheirsthatGodmayblesstheirlifetogetherforunlesstheLordbuildthehousethosewhobuilditlaborinvain.Ps.1271