Blessing of the bride's godmother before the wedding

Words from godparents at a wedding: what should be said and how?

Godparents occupy a special place in the wedding celebration process. In addition to the fact that they have their own responsibilities, they can also play the role of natural parents or witnesses in their absence during the celebration. The blessings and parting words of the godparents at the wedding should help the young family cope with any troubles and obstacles on the way to a happy family life.

In ancient times, godparents occupied the responsible position of divine mentors for spiritual children. The imprisoned mother was the best friend, mentor and role model for her godchildren. And the “second father” replaced his own father in matters of matchmaking and wedding organization.

Nowadays, matchmakers are the parents of the bride and groom in relation to each other. But in fact, previously it was the named parents who were matchmakers. The groom's spiritual mentors went to the girl's house for the purpose of matchmaking, and there they were met by the godfather and mother of the bride with bread and salt or a pumpkin in case of refusal.

When the proposal was accepted, the matchmakers blessed the future married couple for marriage. Also, imprisoned parents served bread and salt to the young as a symbol of family well-being. By the way, according to tradition, baking a wedding loaf was also the responsibility of the bride’s godmother.

Previously, a young bride from her godmother received a piece of fabric for a wedding dress from her godmother - now this process has been transformed into a joint trip to a wedding salon. The duties of a spiritual mother include, from early childhood, teaching a girl chastity and the science of housekeeping and preserving the family hearth. And the groom’s mentor was supposed to become a model of femininity and teach the boy to love his own mother, grandmother, sister - female representatives of the family and transfer this love to his future wife.

At a wedding, the named mother has quite a lot of responsibilities, starting with choosing a dress for her goddaughter and ending with replacing her own mother if necessary. Also, during the wedding, spiritual parents held the crown over the newlyweds (this responsibility is now often transferred to witnesses).

These parents take an active part in decorating the house for receiving the newlyweds and their marriage bed. In addition, young people do not expect formal gifts from their spiritual mother and father, but gifts as for their own children, at least an expensive gift in conjunction with their own parents - an apartment, a car (but, of course, one should not forget about the financial situation and demand the impossible ).

What should godparents choose as a gift?

The imprisoned parents will not have to think long about choosing a wedding gift, since they are the ones prescribed by customs and traditions to give bed linen. And here it’s already “a need for cunning invention” - the gift can be in the form of a beautiful pillowcase with an original print, or in the form of a bed with all the necessary accessories, right up to the renovation of the entire bedroom.

Also, the spiritual parents, in addition to organizational issues, are also entrusted with partial financial investments in paying for wedding expenses. So, for the sake of tradition, the duties of the godfather include decorating the wedding vehicle and paying for it in full. Previously, this custom was called “riding the newlyweds” and instead of a car, the young family was given a richly decorated horse on which the bride and groom rode.

Woman accuses couple of charging $125 per wedding

Woman accuses couple of charging guests $125 to attend their wedding - only to have them serve hot dog bites before food runs out

US woman sparks controversy over couples charging guests to attend their wedding
She was asked to pay $250 as an entry fee for herself and her husband
She says the wedding reception ran out of food and holiday gifts for their table.
Facebook users asked why the woman agreed to pay for visiting everything
Do you know the bride or guests? Write to Charlie

Posted by Latoya Gayle For Mailonline

Published: 17:30 BST, 8 July 2022 | Updated: 01:10 BST, 9 July 2022

A woman who agreed to pay to attend a wedding that ran out of refreshments and favors has sparked a long-running debate over the etiquette of when guests should cover wedding expenses.

In a Facebook group that's it, I'm wedding shaming, a US woman explained how she paid $250 (£200) as an entry fee for her and her husband to attend a friend's wedding.

Complaining that the caterer was running out of food and their table was short of holiday gifts, the woman admitted that she went to the wedding because she decided to attend the important event before she knew about the fee.

The post received a flood of comments from forum members, many of whom claimed they would not have gone to the wedding if they had been expected to pay.

Explaining the situation, the woman wrote: “I was recently invited to a wedding where we had to pay an entry fee of $125 each for my husband and I for a total of $250. Only to not have a lot of appetizers (they ran out halfway to our table ), some of which included pieces of hot dogs."

A US woman has sparked controversy over wedding attendance fees after revealing her frustrations over spending at a wedding that ran out of food and party favors

She continued: “The only thing is that they didn’t run out. I was able to eat from a cheese and grape plate. Moreover, our table was the only one where there were no parties, as they too had ended.

'And the main course, which they claimed was salmon, looked fishy and cold to the touch, so I decided to skip it. The only saving grace was the open bar, but I was still on medication and couldn't drink. So I had the most expensive Pepsi known to man: 2 for $125."

Addressing people who might ask why she left, the woman continued: “There are other factors, but in particular, she took me by surprise.

"I decided to go as soon as I heard about the wedding, but before I saw it, payment was required. But I won't be caught slipping again."

Complaining that the caterer was running out of food and their table was short of holiday gifts, the woman pictured with her husband admitted she went to the wedding because she had promised to attend the big event before she found out about the fees

She added that she wanted to wear a white dress because she "decided it was my wedding too since I paid for it," but admitted several people told her it would be in "bad taste" so she "let it go."

“Although I had some other people encourage me to go all out, even suggesting I wear a tiara, I was quite tempted,” she continued.

"Unless you're Beyoncé, please don't charge people to attend your shabby wedding, especially if the ceiling is leaking and some of the letters outside the walls of the venue have fallen."

A flood of replies to the thread condemned the couple's decision to charge for the wedding and questioned the woman's decision to attend.

Godmother's speech at the wedding

During the wedding celebration, the script includes a special part for the godmother's speech. So the words can consist of a blessing to a young family, a parting speech to the newlyweds, or a solemn presentation of a gift. But you can also follow customs: as a rule, at a wedding, the married mother gives the bride a symbolic family hearth in the form of a candle, which the goddaughter undertakes to preserve. The words conveying this symbol are presented in poetic form, in the form of a prayer, a song, or simply in beautiful words. You can look for samples on the Internet, but a speech from the heart will sound much better and more touching.

The words of a spiritual mother should not only be parting words and instructive, but also sound from the bottom of the heart with sincere wishes for happiness, health and family well-being. In response to the godparents' congratulations, the bride and groom also say thank-you speeches and give gifts in return. The named daughter, as a form of gratitude, presents the matchmakers with gifts of an intimate nature in the form of underwear, but not modern, but according to ancient customs - undershirts, in which they usually wash in church baths and holy springs. Moreover, these shirts must be embroidered personally by the bride.

After the wedding, mentoring responsibilities are not removed from the “second mother and father,” and they will always support the young family with advice and, if possible, financially.

Words from godparents at a wedding: the role of second parents.

The words of godparents spoken at the wedding are very important, because their congratulations will also become the last spiritual parting words before entering adulthood. It is especially important for spiritual parents to emphasize the value of marriage in their speech.

If you follow all the traditions and customs, then the role of godparents at a wedding is comparable in importance to the role of the parents of the newlyweds.

Congratulations and gifts to the godson

As a rule, the part of the celebration in which the godparents congratulate the newlyweds is very touching. It shouldn't just be a poem read from a postcard. Words must be sincere, coming from the soul - this way they will not only produce a touching effect on those around them, but will also have a real magical effect.

Godparents should definitely wish them a long and happy family life without quarrels and adversity. Parting words regarding caring for each other and maintaining the warmth of the family hearth are also appropriate

As for gifts, there are no special rules here; you can choose a gift based on the individual characteristics of the couple, at your discretion, or choose any of the options listed below.

Wedding Dress . Traditionally, it was the godmother who bought the fabric from the ancestors for the bride’s outfit. Modern girls increasingly prefer not to sew, but to buy ready-made dresses in specialized salons; the “second mother” helps with the choice and purchase. If the godmother is a sufficiently financially secure person, she can completely take on all the wedding costs herself; this will be a wonderful gift for a spiritual son or daughter.
Bed sheets . Accessories for the newlyweds' bed are a relevant and useful gift from the godmother, which, together with good wishes, will constitute parting words for the well-being of family life.
Appliances . This also includes other items that will be useful for newlyweds in everyday life. For example, you can present the newly-made spouses with a large tea set, a washing machine, a refrigerator, or a cash certificate for the store. Gifts shared with legal parents and other guests are also acceptable if their amount is impressive: the heroes of the occasion will certainly be delighted with an apartment or a brand new car.
Rings . Their godparents can present them in advance only after learning about the wedding. Traditionally, rings should be gold; you can choose a design with your godchildren or give something of your choice.

Gold ring, SL (price on the link)
Godparents should treat their spiritual children in the same way as they treat their relatives. Do not skimp when choosing gifts for those close to you, for whose fate and well-being you once took responsibility.

What traditions are we talking about?

Matchmaking
Blessing
Wedding

Matchmaking is a custom that existed in ancient Rus'. The groom's godparents were the matchmakers, and they went to the bride's house. They gave gifts, brought wine, praised the groom, talked about both his wealth and his knowledge and skills.

The bride's parents, who wanted to refuse the marriage, gave the matchmakers a pumpkin, and those who wanted to agree, accepted their bread, cut it, and served it to all participants in the matchmaking. Today this custom is practically not performed.

Nowadays, matchmaking is symbolic; the parents of both parties no longer decide whether there will be a wedding; rather, they meet to discuss the details.

Blessing for marriage. The custom of asking for blessings from parents is still alive, however, everyone has long forgotten that, first of all, blessings are asked from the godfather and godmother. This means that godparents must say their first “wedding” words even before the wedding.

What icon is used to bless the groom?

The groom is blessed with an icon of the Savior. This is the most common image of Christ. He has a book in one hand, and with the other hand he blesses the person who is looking at him. The Savior is asked to ensure that prosperity reigns in the family. Previously, this icon was the first to be brought into the house of the spouses. Now the groom's parents use it to bless their son for a happy marriage.

The role of the godfather at a wedding

After the “transfer” of the godson into the hands of the parents, the role of the godfather at the wedding is considered fulfilled, and the godfather is considered to have fulfilled his duty, guiding his spiritual son/daughter on the true path, because for the Orthodox the family is a small church.

However, in addition to the spiritual role at the wedding, the godfather also performs a ritual one. For example, the bride and groom riding. Previously, it was customary to give young people a horse covered with a luxurious carpet and ride them on it.

At modern weddings, people ride in cars that are decorated with bows, balloons, dolls, soft toys and other wedding paraphernalia. The godfather is obliged to pay for both the car itself and these decorations.

A godfather has not only responsibilities, but also rights. For example, he participates in competitions along with his own parents, including the “mother-in-law and father-in-law skating”

If the godparents do not go to the wedding, then the godson must light candles in the church for the health of the godmother and godfather.

Blessing of daughter (son) before wedding

The blessing of the daughter is carried out with the help of the face of the Kazan Mother of God. The father must give the icons to the mother. Moreover, it is very important that the mother holds towels, because it is not customary to take holy images with bare hands. The father holds a loaf of bread during the ceremony.

Parents take turns saying their wishes without interrupting each other. The parting words should be succinct, concise and simple. After pronouncing the speech, the daughter must be crossed three times and the image brought to her. She must also cross the image and kiss it. If the young woman does not have parents, then the ceremony can be performed by godparents.

The blessing of a son before the wedding is carried out similarly to the ceremony with a daughter, only for this purpose the icon “Savior Temperance” is used.

Which parent holds the images of the saints and the loaf during the ceremony?

As a rule, when children decide to marry, parents are always unexpected. When planning a celebration and assigning “roles” for the blessing ceremony, it is always difficult. In fact, there is nothing complicated here. There are several options:

The groom's father holds the icon, the young mother holds the loaf.
Mothers of young people hold icons, and fathers hold champagne and a loaf of bread,
One of the mothers holds images of saints, the other a loaf, and the fathers simply stand on the sides.

All diagrams should be viewed from left to right. You can use a special prayer during the ceremony. It is pronounced before the wishes of the parents themselves. If it is better not to memorize the wish, so as not to forget during excitement, then you should try to learn the prayer.

Wedding blessing prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, prayers for the sake of Thy Most Pure Mother, hear me, Thy sinful and unworthy servant. Lord, in the mercy of Your power my children (names), have mercy and save them for Your name’s sake. Lord, forgive them all the sins, voluntary and involuntary, that they committed before You. Lord, guide them on the true path of Your commandments and enlighten them and enlighten them with Your light of Christ, for the salvation of the soul and the healing of the body. Lord, bless them in the house, around the house, at school, in the field, at work and on the road, and in every place of Your possession. Lord, protect them under the shelter of Your Saints from a flying bullet, arrow, knife, sword, poison, fire, flood, from a deadly plague (atomic rays) and from vain death. Lord, protect them from visible and invisible enemies, from all troubles, evils and misfortunes. Lord, heal them from all diseases, cleanse them from all filth (wine, tobacco, drugs) and ease their mental suffering and sorrow. Lord, grant them the grace of Your Holy Spirit for many years of life, health and chastity. Lord, increase and strengthen their mental abilities and physical strength. Lord, give them Your blessing for a godly family life and godly childbearing. Lord, grant also to me, Thy unworthy and sinful servant, a parental blessing on my child at this time of morning, day, evening and night for the sake of Thy name, for Thy Kingdom is eternal, omnipotent and omnipotent. Amen.

The role of the godmother

The godmother, along with the godfather, occupies a place of honor at the wedding. She takes part not only in the wedding itself, but also in its preparation. The ritual of blessing by godmothers (yes, yes, two at once) can be called more magical. Their goal is to prevent “damage”, “evil eye” and other similar adversities.

It is believed that the godmother is responsible for the goddaughter until the wedding.

The presence of godmothers on both sides is a very serious support for the newlyweds, because these are one of the most important people in their lives.

From a very early age, the bride's godmother is the girl's best friend, her advisor and mentor, which is why her presence is so important.
The task of the groom's godmother before the wedding is to be an example of a woman and mother for him, to teach him to love and respect himself, his own mother and his future wife. At a wedding, more than anywhere else, her approving glance is needed.

Icon for blessing newlyweds

Today, the icon of the Mother of God of Kazan and Christ the Savior is most often used to bless the young. Let's take a closer look at the icons for wedding blessings:

And so, the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is one of the most revered images of the Mother of God. Since ancient times, she was considered the intercessor and patroness of the entire people.
Many different miracles and amazing salvations were attributed to her.
It is also worth noting that it is this icon that is used for weddings in the church. It is especially important for women.
Before her they pray for the birth of children, and ask for protection of the house from evil spirits.
The icon of the Temperance of the Savior is the second icon that is used to bless the young. Before this image they pray for need and joy. Contact her with requests for the well-being of the whole family.

Today you can bless with both icons or with one of them. You can also buy a fold of these images in the icon shop.

Responsibilities of godparents and their words at a wedding

The godmother begins to participate in the wedding from the moment of its preparation. If the natural mother is absent or ill, then the godmother has special responsibility.

There are a lot of traditions and customs that define the role of godparents. Their differences mainly lie in the distribution of roles between natural mothers and spiritual ones.

Here is a list of things that the mother and godmother should “share”:

bringing out a loaf of bread and treating the newlyweds to it;
embroidery of towels;
escort of newlyweds;
decoration of the groom's house and wedding bed;
participation in matchmaking;
transferring the family hearth to the young and lighting candles for him;
holding crowns over the young (this honorable duty can be entrusted to both witnesses and godparents).

Godparents at a wedding are a sign of special spirituality and touchingness of the ceremony. It is necessary to understand how much effort the godparents put into both raising the newlyweds and the wedding itself, and prepare a worthy answer to them. Spiritual parents will expect gifts from “godchildren,” even symbolic ones and words of gratitude.

How to bless the bride and groom before the wedding.

Nowadays, the custom of blessing newlyweds is not as popular as in the old days. Then the newlyweds even canceled the wedding if their parents refused to bless them. And if they didn’t cancel it, then the church could well refuse to hold a wedding for such a couple.

Maybe faith in God has faded somewhat, maybe the eternal wedding rush is preventing this tradition from living, or maybe the fear of doing something wrong is stopping parents. In any case, this is a good, bright wedding tradition, and although not in all families, it exists in most.

Let's try to figure out step by step what needs to be done and how.

Blessings for daughters before the wedding and words for the newlyweds.

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Until now, when holding modern weddings, some traditions from the ancient wedding ceremony, which was created, developed and improved over several centuries, are used. One of the most ancient wedding rituals, preserved and still used today, is the blessing of the parents of the newlyweds.

Icons for receiving blessings

In the modern world, mainly in order to bless children for family life, the icon of Jesus Christ, the Mother of God of Kazan, is used.

You need to study them in more detail:

The Mother of God of Kazan is the most revered image of all possible. Since ancient times, she was considered the patroness and intercessor for the entire people. She was miraculous, because many were confident in her power and ability to save people. It should be noted that it is with the help of this icon that the wedding ceremony is held in the church. She is very important for a woman. Before the icon you should pray for the conception of a child and the birth of children.

The icon of the Temperance Savior is also used to bless newlyweds. Before her, you should pray that everything is good and joyful for the young people, and that difficult moments in life do not occur. She should be contacted so that the bride and groom always have well-being.

Currently, it is possible to carry out a blessing using either one icon or two at once. You can purchase a fold from these images in the church.

Blessing of a son

For the blessing you will need an icon of the Kazan Mother of God. The father must present this face to the mother; a very important condition for this is that the mother must hold the towels, because it is not recommended to take the icon with your hands. Father needs to take the loaf and hold it.

Parents should take turns saying what they wish for the young ones, without interrupting each other. You need to give the most simple and understandable parting words for your future family life.

After this, you should cross your son three times and bring the icon to him. He must also illuminate the image with the sign of the cross, and then kiss it. If a guy doesn’t have parents, then he should turn to his godparents. It is also recommended for young people to use the icon of the Temperance Savior for blessing by his parents.

Who should hold what during the ritual?

Typically, children decide to enter into legal marriage, mostly unexpectedly for their father and mother. When a celebration is planned and roles are assigned for the blessing, it brings with it difficulties. However, there is absolutely nothing complicated here. There are some options for assigning roles:

the groom's father holds an icon in his hands, and his mother holds a loaf;
the mothers of both young people are holding icons in their hands, and the fathers are holding a loaf of bread;
the mother holds two icons, and the other a loaf, the fathers stand to the side.

During the ritual, you can use a special prayer for blessing. After reading it, parents should wish the young people something from themselves. It is recommended to learn the prayer in advance so as not to be distracted by peeking, and the words can simply be pronounced from the heart.

Storing icons after the ceremony

After the ritual, you must give the icons to the newlyweds. They become the first family heirloom. If young people believe in the Lord and attend church, then the icons should be placed in the red corner, a clean napkin or scarf should be placed under them, and then covered with a church towel.

According to the rules of the church, it is recommended to place these icons on the east side of the house in the corner. Candles are placed next to them after the wedding ceremony or a candle that represents the hearth. There is also a sign that for happiness in family life you need to light candles once a year for each anniversary.

If the newlyweds are not very religious or there is no red corner in the house, they simply do not have a place where to put the holy images, then you need to wrap them in towels and determine a place to store them.

Words that come from a pure heart and are sincere will definitely be heard by the Lord. He will protect the newlyweds from misfortunes and adversities, and will bring happiness and peace to the house.

Source: o-sebe.com

Before the wedding

The newlyweds received the second blessing on their wedding day, when the groom came with the wedding train to pick up the bride. The bride's mother and father blessed the newlyweds before the wedding, as if confirming that there were no barriers to marriage, and they were ready to give their daughter to her chosen one.

“The blessing for the daughter’s marriage before the wedding was performed with an icon of the Mother of God, which the mother had to hold with a wedding towel (in no case with her bare hands).”

As a rule, a family heirloom was used for these purposes, which was passed down through the female line. Traditionally, they used the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, which was revered as an intercessor, a savior from troubles, wars, and diseases.

How to bless the groom

At home with the future husband, his mother and father bless him for marriage with the help of a consecrated icon of the Savior or St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The ritual itself looks like this:

The table in the room where the blessing will be held is covered with a white tablecloth, fresh holiday bread, water, salt are placed and a candle is lit.
During the blessing, the groom's parents stand next to each other. Their son stands in front of them. In this case, most often the son kneels, although the modern ritual does not strictly require this.
The father holds an icon of the Savior, says a prayer and baptizes his son three times. Then he gives this icon to the groom's mother, and she performs the same ritual. In some cases, a prayer is said, but increasingly today parents simply say their wishes to their son.
At the end of the ceremony, the future husband is baptized and kisses the icon, accepting a sign of support for the family from his parents.

In some cases, the ritual is supplemented with one more detail: the father, after making the sign of the cross three times, ties his son’s hands with a towel and circles him three times around the table clockwise. At the same time, the mother with the icon follows her son. After which the ritual continues traditionally.

After the wedding

The third blessing was made by the mother and father of the young man, meeting the newlyweds on the threshold of their own home after the wedding. For this final ritual, icons of the Mother of God and Christ the Savior were used. Now the parents' words were addressed to the husband and wife, that is, to the new married couple who already have obligations to each other and to society.

This third parental blessing seemed to complete the cycle of special wedding rituals with the participation of parents, which created the right energy for the well-being of the young family.

Blessing for a young family

This is not the end of the blessing ceremony, because now you need to give parental guidance to the young family. How are the bride and groom blessed after the wedding in the registry office or the wedding in church? Sometimes this part of the ceremony is carried out immediately after the wedding, but, as a rule, parents meet the newlyweds after the registry office with guests at the doorstep of the house.

The father of the young husband should have both wedding icons or an icon of the Savior, and the mother should have a treat for the newlyweds in her hands. A special loaf and salt are used as a treat.

According to tradition, parents once again say their parting words or pray with their children for their future, thereby blessing the young family for a happy family life. Then they cross the children three times, holding icons of the Savior and the Mother of God above their heads. After which the bride and groom kiss the icons and treat themselves to bread and salt. Here, by the way, there is an interesting sign: the newlyweds are offered to pinch off a piece of bread from a loaf - and whose piece is the largest will be the head of the family.

Who can bless the bride and groom if the parents for some reason cannot do this? Then this responsibility falls on the shoulders of the eldest in the family. Thus, a blessing can be given by an older brother or sister, grandfather or grandmother, uncle or aunt of the person getting married. The godparents of the newlyweds can also take part in the ceremony. The only condition is that all those blessing them be baptized people.

There are other interesting details associated with the blessing of the bride and groom. So, for example, a blessing from parents can be received four times: at the agreement, after the final decision on the future wedding, before the wedding and after it. They did this in the old days, and today deeply religious people sometimes do this, but it has not been used in traditional rituals for a long time.

Source: SvadbaMi.ru

How it's happening now

Not a single traditional wedding is complete without such an important element of the entire wedding event as the blessing of the daughter or the blessing of the newlyweds. By performing this ritual, parents, like many centuries ago, confirm their agreement with their daughter’s choice. And the daughter, in turn, receives parental approval in her right choice.

When conducting a modern wedding ceremony, most parents no longer remember how to bless their daughter before the wedding on the day of the matchmaking. The most important blessings for newlyweds are considered to be before the wedding (before registration) by the bride's parents and after the wedding by the groom's parents.

How to store icons after the wedding

After the ceremony, the icons are necessarily handed over to the young. From the moment of transmission they are considered a family heirloom. If the family is a believer, then they are placed at home in the red corner (a specially designated place for icons in the house), with a napkin laid under them and covered with a towel.

In general, according to church rules, such images should be placed in the Eastern corner of the house. Next to them are wedding candles or a candle that was used during the ritual of “lighting the hearth candle.” By the way, there is a belief that in order for the family to live in peace and love, such candles should be lit every year on their wedding anniversary.

If the family is not deeply religious and for some reason there is no place in the house for holy images, then they should be carefully wrapped in towels and a special place should be allocated for their storage.

The Lord is always with you!

Watch the video on how to properly bless your daughter or son before the wedding:

Source: ikona-i-molitva.info

Required attributes: icon and towel

To perform this ritual, you need to prepare an icon and a towel. Perhaps it will be an icon, which, as before, was passed from mother to daughter on the wedding day. You can also purchase a new icon and, after the blessing, give it to the newlyweds. If they not only register a civil marriage, but also get married, then the icon with which the blessing was performed must be taken with them for the church ceremony.

“The icons that are used in wedding rites have special energy and power. Therefore, every married couple should carefully preserve and honor them.”

A wedding towel can be purchased or embroidered in advance with your own hands. According to tradition, the bride had to embroider the wedding towel. But in modern conditions, this matter can be entrusted to your mother, grandmother or a familiar needlewoman. The main thing is to follow the rules for applying patterns and designs characteristic of this traditional wedding attribute. The symbolism of the towel is very important, since each element embroidered on the towel carries its own sacred meaning and shapes the future of the new married couple.

A US Marine and his bride-to-be pray together before their wedding.

'I prayed to God for my beautiful wife': Marin and his bride share the story of their touching wedding photo that captured the hearts of America on Memorial Day

USMC Corporal Caleb Earwood and his fiancee Maggie, both of Asheville, North Carolina, said "I do" on Saturday
Their photographer Duane Schmidt photographed them shortly before the ceremony holding hands and praying together
The couple closed their eyes and turned away from each other during the prayer so that they would not see each other until the ceremony
The image, which the photographer posted on Facebook, has received almost 25,000 likes since it was posted on Saturday evening.

By Erica Tempesta for Dailymail.com

Published: 17:50 BST, 25 May 2015 | Updated: 13:58 BST, 26 May 2015

A US Marine and his new wife captured the hearts of the nation when their wedding photographer shared a photo of them praying together moments before the ceremony. what they thought in those few emotional minutes.

U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Caleb Earwood and his fiancee Maggie, both of Asheville, North Carolina, stood back-to-back with their eyes closed as they each said a prayer, during which Caleb explained that he was thanking God for blessing him with such a prayer. A wonderful wife.

"We were going to take our first steps in life together, and we didn't want to take any step unless it was in God's will," Caleb, 21, said today.

Scroll down to see video

Powerful image: US Marine Corps Corporal Caleb Earwood (right) and his fiancee Maggie (left), both from Asheville, North Carolina, were photographed praying moments before they walked down the aisle

'I prayed to God for my beautiful and intelligent wife he blessed me with and for the wonderful family I married into.'

How the ritual is performed in the bride's house

On the wedding day, following modern traditions, the groom must come for the bride and, before taking her away from her parents' house forever, complete a number of tasks, and also provide a ransom for her.

After passing the tests, the bride and groom are reunited, and the time of blessing comes. This ritual must be carried out without the participation of guests. To do this, the newlyweds and their parents, as well as the bride's godparents, must retire. The young mother should hold the icon with a towel facing the newlyweds. And they should face their parents. If the mother and father decided to bless their daughter while sitting, then the newlyweds need to kneel on the wedding towel to do this.

There is no canonized speech for blessing a daughter or mandatory conventional words or symbolic phrases. Parents can freely advise their daughter and her chosen one, confirming their consent to their marriage and wishing them a happy, prosperous family life.

After the parting words have been spoken, the mother of the bride must cross her daughter three times, then her future husband, then them together as a couple. The father should do the same. The young must also cross themselves and kiss the relic.

What should the blessing be?

There are no strict rules for parental blessing. You can simply follow some generally accepted norms. The bride must first receive blessings from her father and mother when she informs them that she has decided to get married. The bride should be blessed with an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary. After this, two young people should be blessed at once, when the bride goes to meet the mother and father of the groom with the help of an icon of Jesus Christ.

Parents need to bless their children with the sign of the cross three times and say a prayer; you can use your own words coming from the bottom of your heart. Young people should kneel before their parents and listen to their instructions. They need to kiss the icon at the end. Some people place icons in front of the newlyweds during the wedding feast, but this is not at all necessary. Icons should be placed in a corner. Even if the son does not believe in the Lord. The blessing of his parents still affects him.

Blessing Ritual

Currently, girls and boys independently choose their partners for relationships and legal marriage. However, at a wedding, everyone dreams of receiving a parental blessing, because this is considered a sacred sacrament for further prosperous family life. Naturally, this is correct, because only parental approval can set the newlyweds in the right mood, give parting words and give them self-confidence.

The blessing ritual can be performed in different ways.

An Orthodox blessing must take place strictly according to the rules. You should also know that all participants in the ritual must be baptized, and if this is not the case, then you need to cross yourself in advance, and then carry out the ritual. You also need to purchase icons in advance. They are the main components of the ritual. However, before performing the ritual, you still need to talk to the priest and clarify with him all the nuances and rules.
The modern blessing is currently the most popular. Young people who are not yet ready to get seriously married. Only a formal blessing is used. It can be carried out even by people who have not been baptized in the church. You just need to prepare a parting message for parents, and then tell it to the young ones. After the words have been spoken. The mother and father ask the guests to bless the children for happiness in their family life. Next, all guests and newlyweds go to the registry office to register the marriage.

How a godmother should dress for baptism

Baptism is a Christian religious rite that symbolizes purification or rebirth. It signifies admission into the Christian church , and is taken very seriously by people of devout beliefs. Infant baptism is practiced in many denominations. However, there are Christian communities that practice adult baptism. Godparents only require infant baptism.

Godparents are a key element of baptism ceremonies. They are chosen to help parents raise the child and care for him in the future. Godparents are usually relatives or close friends of the parents who choose them to actively participate in their child's life. If you have been chosen as a godmother at a baptism ceremony, it is important to choose the right dress as it will be a very important day.

You may have doubts about the dress code for this often formal ritual. If you need tips on choosing the most appropriate clothing, read this oneHOWTO article to learn how a godmother should dress for a baptism .

What is the value of the service?

First of all, it is necessary to keep in mind that baptisms or christenings are religious holidays. However, each denomination has different approaches and etiquette. Moreover, each church may have its own attitude towards decency. For this reason, you should always ask your family what style might suit you.

However, there are general ideas about how you should dress. Various Christian traditions in which baptism with godparents include:

Roman Catholic : For the strict Roman Catholic Church, godparents must themselves be Catholic and receive the Eucharist. The RC Church takes the role of the godfather very seriously and expects the godmother and godfather to strictly raise the child in the faith. RC godparents are usually not allowed to be blood relatives of the child. The formality of the occasion is reflected in what the godmother wears.
Anglican : The Anglican faith embraces the Episcopal churches in the United States and other overseas territories of the United Kingdom. Godparents in this church may be family members, and the rules do not have to be as strict, but this may be at the discretion of the individual church. Typically, these are also formal ceremonies.
Presbyterian : While Presbyterian and other reformed churches practice infant baptism, there are no godparents. They usually have a "sponsor" who acts in a similar capacity. However, this will depend on the specific church. The godmother's dress for baptism depends on the church itself.
Baptist : Baptists practice adult baptism, so godparents are not needed. However, babies can take part in the so-called “initiation”. In this case, there are no godparents and the purpose of the service is to welcome the baby until full confirmation. Baptist churches have varying levels of formality when it comes to dress. Some wear their Sunday best, but others may be more casual.
Evangelical : Other evangelical Christian churches are generally similar to Baptist churches.

As you can see, etiquette varies depending on traditions. Although there may not be a uniform, some churches have certain traditions that they feel must be respected. For example, during the baptism ceremony of the Eastern Orthodox Church, women usually cover their hair with a white veil or scarf. If you have any doubts about your branch's specific requirements, ask the ceremony organizers. In general, christening participants were semi-formal, wearing modest clothing .

What NOT to wear to a christening

Guests are advised not to wear clothing that is too revealing, including low necklines, bare legs above the knees, bare shoulders and backs, etc. These basic rules apply to all genders. Simply put, don't wear anything you wouldn't normally wear to church.

Bright outfits are also not welcome. Avoid wearing very bright colors or neon shades. Remember that the child, not the godmother, should be the focus of everyone's attention. We recommend simple clothing in elegant and sophisticated fabrics and colors , because patterns and exaggerated silhouettes tend to become dated very quickly after the season ends.

To dispel doubts, yes , you can wear white if you are the godmother at a baptism or christening. The no white rule only applies to weddings.

Image: thefashionpolice.net

What does "semi-formal" mean?

A child's baptism is a semi-formal event. You should wear formal clothes, but black tie will be overdone . Ask the child's parents what they are wearing - you don't want to look overdressed! Typically, "semi-formal" outfits are what you would wear to a wedding or Christmas party at a fancy hotel. It's a step above a corporate holiday party and a step below an awards ceremony or debutante ball.

As a godmother, you will likely be involved in planning the baptism ceremony and party. You set your own dress code, so you have one less thing to worry about. However, make sure that all guests are on the same page. In some places, the semi-formal dress code may be referred to as " smart-casual" .

Other things to consider

On the other hand, when choosing what you will wear as a godmother to a christening, you also need to consider the season in which the celebration will take place. Many parents decide to wait until spring to baptize their child, but this is not the rule.

You won't have to freeze in the winter or wear anything too heavy in the summer. Everyone at baptism will want to respect the event, but also embrace the joy of the event. Happiness is part of baptism .

What to wear to a spring/summer christening

A cocktail dress would be a good option for a godmother at a baptism, but it should be no shorter and knee length. Midi skirts in the New Look style can also be ideal for a baptism.

As we have already indicated, it is recommended to choose colors that are not too loud, so beige, earthy tones or pastel colors are ideal. When choosing the color of your godmother's outfit, keep in mind that there will likely be children around and your outfit may get dirty.

If the baptism is taking place in the spring or summer, choose lightweight, breathable materials for your godmother's dress so that you won't be too hot in the church during the ceremony. We recommend cotton, linen or silk.

What to wear for a christening fall-winter

If the weather is cold or you don't like dresses, you can also choose a smart suit. Cleanly tailored pantsuits can look stunning when worn with flair for your godmother's christening. Two-piece outfits are perfect for a variety of end-of-season situations. However, we do not recommend wearing a maxi dress to a christening as it may look too loud.

It is worth noting that black is not the most suitable color for a christening. Instead, wear jewels or earthy tones such as burgundy, gray, purple, emerald green or wine red.

What shoes and accessories are best for christenings?

Baptism or christening ceremonies followed by a party can be long, so you should wear comfortable shoes. If you want to wear heels, choose low or mid heels or block heels , but not stilettos. Ballet flats are also a good choice for baptism. Sandals depend on whether the church accepts bare feet.

You may see fascinators, veiled hats and brooches in royal christening photos, but as cool as they may seem, they require the right context. Most christenings will make you look overdressed and older than you really are. Instead, opt for a simple update and minimal or no embellishment .

While you shouldn't wear sneakers, you can wear stylish soft shoes. Check out the example below for shoes that are comfortable but would look good as part of a smart casual godmother's christening outfit.

As a godmother at a baptism , you should not wear heavy makeup. Go makeup-free or go for a natural glowing look. It will last longer.

Ask the family

As a final piece of advice, when choosing a godmother baptism dress, we recommend choosing something that you feel comfortable in. The main character of the ceremony will be the baby or child being baptized, but remember that the role of the godmother is also important. On this day, you'll want to look your best, but you don't want any distractions. Something classic and stylish will do.

As a rule, the godmother is someone close to the family, but also a believer. If you are not sure what etiquette your faith suggests, talk to your family and choose the right godmother according to their wishes. If you are not a member of the faith, they are required to explain the rules of baptism etiquette to you.

To learn more about how to dress for a christening, check out our article on how to dress for a christening.

If you would like to read similar articles to How a Godmother Should Dress for a Baptism , we recommend you visit our Weddings & Parties category.

Book of God - OSRS Wiki

6 books of the gods

- these are books that are held instead of a shield.
The player first receives a damaged book
and needs to add 4 god pages to make a complete god book.
Once a page has been placed in the book of the gods, the page cannot be restored.
After killing Mother Dagannoth in the quest "Horror from the Depths" you will receive the "Rusty Box". Talk to Jossik about this chest and he will ask you to read what is written in it. You can choose one of three main gods: Saradomin, Guthix or Zamorak. Whichever god you choose, you will receive that god's "Damaged Book". When used, this book gives +5 to prayer. However, this is not the true potential of the book. Torn pages that are missing from your damaged book can be found and reinserted to complete the book. You can obtain Torn Pages by completing Treasure Trails, or by purchasing them from adventurers who received them as rewards for searching for treasure. The torn pages are uniquely numbered (from 1 to 4) and color to match only one god's book. Once you add all four torn pages back to your damaged book, it will become a new book depending on which god it is for intended. Damaged books of Saradomin become holy books, damaged books of Guthix become a balance book, and damaged books of Zamorak become unholy books. As part of a later update, players can now obtain and repair 3 new damaged books. Damaged books of Armadyl become the book of law, damaged books of Bandos become the book of war, and damaged books of Zaros become the book of darkness. You are ok.

Spiritual traditions

From the moment of baptism, godparents assume great responsibility for the spiritual education of their godson or goddaughter. Their main responsibility is to lead children to faith, to be mentors and helpers in life. Therefore, it was at the wedding that the “second” mother and father held the crowns, and then handed over the godchildren to their parents, saying “We took the baptized, we give the married,” thereby completing their main spiritual duty: to lead the young to faith and pure marriage.

However, the participation of godparents in a wedding, according to tradition, began at matchmaking. It was the godfather who found the groom's future wife, helped buy her, gave her a horse and accompanied the wedding "train". The godmother prepared the bride for the wedding, gave her fabric for her dress, baked wedding bread, took off her veil and braided her hair “like a woman.” For the wedding ceremony, the godmother and the future bride embroidered special towels for tying hands, under the feet and under the loaf. Then these towels were laid under the icons and kept as family heirlooms. If the blood parents of the newlyweds could not attend the wedding due to health reasons, the godparents took on the role of blessing the couple with the icon.

At the feast, the godmother prepared the wedding bed for the newlyweds, made a clean bed and made sure that no one entered the newlyweds’ room. Today, the godmother can also give the newlyweds an expensive set of bed linen, a high-quality blanket, kitchen utensils or appliances. Such useful gifts from the godmother will always come in handy in the household, and money can be spent aimlessly.

Godmothers

The role and responsibilities of a godmother in a wedding are very important. If there is a problem in the family and the bride or groom does not have a mother, the godmother must replace her at the holiday.

The responsibilities of spiritual mothers include preparing for the wedding celebration. The bride's godmother can not only help you choose a wedding dress, but also pay for it. Traditionally, the groom’s spiritual mother bakes a loaf of bread with her own hands, with which the parents greet the newlyweds. At a modern wedding there can be three loaves. One of the newlyweds is met at home by the bride's parents, and the other by the groom's parents. And the third, at the entrance to the hall where the celebration will take place, should be held by the godparents. They also bless the young family.

Godparents can help in decorating the hall and cars for the celebration, finding and paying for the work of cooks and the host.

There is a very beautiful tradition - at the end of the wedding, the godparents light the candles that the newlyweds hold, as if symbolically passing on the fire of family happiness to the children. You can give already lit candles to the bride and groom. This ceremony looks incredibly solemn.

If a couple is planning a wedding, godparents can hold the crowns instead of witnesses.