Blessings from parents at a wedding
A parental blessing is, in essence, their permission for their children to marry, along with sincere wishes for all sorts of family benefits.
Even now, young people planning to get married try to get a blessing so that there will always be happiness and love in their new family. This ritual can be carried out according to all the rules; for this, all its participants must be baptized. After all, this happens with the help of the icons of the Mother of God of Kazan and St. Nicholas the Pleasant or the Savior. But now the ceremony can be significantly simplified, the main thing here is the sincere words of the parents, their wishes for peace, joy, kindness and happiness .
What images are suitable for blessing the newlyweds?
The most traditional images, which are considered the strongest and most powerful, are the so-called wedding couple. The first icon represents the face of the Mother of God, who protects the family hearth and patronizes everyone who reads an honest and sincere prayer at her image. The second image is male, it is used to bless the young; it depicts the Savior, who is a symbol of masculinity, wisdom and care for his other half.
The most frequently used icons in the ritual are the following faces:
- The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is the most revered and powerful image. Prayer before this image can help in family happiness and well-being, resolve all disagreements between spouses, facilitate easy childbirth and a long-awaited pregnancy, and heal every family member from serious illnesses. Her parents bless the bride before going to the registry office;
- The image of “Savior Almighty” is a male icon. With it, the groom’s parents, together with the matchmakers, bless an already established married couple for a happy and long marriage without sorrows and troubles. This icon is considered miraculous, and sincere prayer in front of the face of Jesus can help resolve all problems and bestow family well-being and mutual understanding.
- Other miraculous faces that are considered patrons of family well-being can also be used as blessing images. Therefore, the Kazan icon can always be replaced by the no less significant Vladimir icon. And the image of the Almighty is sometimes replaced with an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Parting words to the bride before the wedding ceremony
Traditionally, this happens before the wedding itself in the parental home. Before going to the Wedding Palace, the father and mother of the bride address their two children - their daughter and her groom - with parting words and wishes.
What to tell your daughter
Before the groom arrives, mom and dad can bless their daughter separately.
General “words of encouragement”
So you have grown up, daughter, and are about to fly away from the family nest. May your choice be correct, and may your family be friendly and strong. Respect your future husband, because now he is your support and protector, love him with all your heart. Daughter, we wish you a happy life in goodness and prosperity, healthy children who will delight both you and your husband, and your dad and me.
Words from the mother of the bride
Daughter, I am happy that you have found your path in life. She will now be associated with (name of the groom). While raising you, I tried to give you as much as possible - knowledge, feelings, teach you everything that a real woman should be able to do. Therefore, I am sure that this guy is a worthy person. Be happy in this marriage. May bright love always accompany you two, and may there never be discord in your family. Be, daughter, the happiest and most beloved woman in the whole world!
Wishes from father to daughter
Daughter! You are my only child and you know how much your mother and I love you. We are very worried about you now, and we will always be worried. It’s hard for me to give you to someone else’s house, but I believe in you and your choice. Therefore, I will try to accept your future husband as my own son. Be a faithful and kind wife to him. May there always be peace and mutual understanding in your new family. And the worries of creating this kind atmosphere of warmth and tranquility fall on your fragile shoulders. Be strong and patient, know that love can overcome all life's adversities. May your new family be happy!
Blessing of the bride and groom
- Our dear children! We bless you for creating your family. May she be prosperous and happy. Take care of the tenderness that you have. Live for each other in the name of goodness and your love. Be happy together!
- Dear (names of the young people), our dear children! We want to say our final words of encouragement before you become husband and wife. We wish you to create a strong family, for the joy of everyone - happiness for you and joy for the people! Let harmony and love always accompany you on the path of life, and in times of adversity, become support and support for each other. Be always happy!
- Children! (Names of newlyweds)! Today a new path begins for you - a common one. May it lead you to a world full of love and tenderness, family happiness and all-consuming goodness! Let the light of loving eyes help you overcome all difficulties, and let the warmth of hearts beating together and merging into one warm you in any bad weather. Love each other, appreciate the feelings you have now. Then the new family will be so happy that it’s just a sight for sore eyes. Blessings!
- Advice and love to you, children! Today you are starting your family. You, daughter, on this day also give us a son. His happiness is now as important to us as yours, because it will be common to both of you. Divide your love between two, thereby increasing it and elevating it. Let each of you appreciate the other, help in everything, understand and accept him. We wish to preserve the blessed fire that lit your hearts. It will help on the difficult path of family life, making it brighter and easier. Happiness and prosperity, joy and peace to your family!
When should we bless the young?
The couple receives an official blessing on their wedding day.
How does this happen? The young man comes to pick up the bride and the first thing he does is buy her from his girlfriends and relatives. After the ransom is completed, when the groom has “proved” that he is ready to give everything for his beloved, the young woman is released to the groom and preparations begin for the Wedding Palace or church for the wedding. Before leaving, the future father-in-law and mother-in-law bless the newlyweds with the icon, wishing them happy and long years of married life. As for the blessing from the groom's parents, they receive it after the painting or wedding, upon arrival home (in the modern interpretation, this is the restaurant where the banquet is held). They meet the newlyweds with icons and give parting words not only to their son, but also to their “acquired” daughter. Since the bride is part of this family, the groom's parents, with their blessing, recognize her as part of their family and commit to her as their child.
As the ancient belief says: “only after parental blessing can a strong, real and happy family be created.” After all, it is believed that the parent’s word is endowed with mysterious power and how it is pronounced will affect the future of the new family.
Parting words to the groom before the ransom from his father and mother
The parents of the groom, as well as the bride, say words of blessing and parting words several times . The very first time this happens is when young people announce their intention to start a family - on the day of their engagement. And right before the wedding - even before the son leaves the house to go after his future wife.
Religious
Just as faith is strong and indestructible, and mead is sweet, in the same way let the family of (the son’s name) with (the name of his bride) be indestructible by any adversity, strong in faith in each other, sweet in their love. Let them be inseparable, starting right from this day and this minute - only together, so that not a moment apart from each other! Amen.
They blessed the children with the icon of the Kazan Mother of God and the icon of the Savior
In fact, now there is no exact answer to which icon should be used to bless.
But it has long been a tradition that the bride’s parents bless the bride with the icon of the Kazan Mother of God or any other icon of the Mother of God. The icon of the Mother of God was considered the guardian of the hearth.
The icon of the Kazan Mother of God is the most revered among Orthodox Christians. Thanks to the miracles that occurred after prayers at this image, believers chose it as the main holy face to bless their children
The groom's parents - an icon of the Savior or St. Nicholas the Pleasant.
The image of the Savior could be passed on from generation to generation; they ask for protection and protection for the future family, giving it joy and protection in needs
Many people believe that children should be blessed with an heirloom that has been passed down from generation to generation.
It is believed that each time it acquires more and more value and meaning. This relic served as a talisman for the family; they prayed before it both in joy and in sorrow.
Others believe that this is not so necessary, that it is better to buy icons in the temple for blessing.
Parting words from the bride's father and mother at the celebration itself
If all the previous speeches of the parents made before the wedding were relatively short, then after the marriage the parents can allow a few more words and wishes .
- Dear daughter, dear son! We lived with (name of the bride's mother), my wife, for many happy years. There was harmony and harmony in our family. We raised a wonderful daughter who always tried to help us and pleased us with our successes. And now you, daughter, have become an adult and found a man who has become your husband. You will have a new family, a separate one. But know that your mom and I will always support you if you need help. At the same time, I am sure that (name of the groom), your husband, will be able to cope with any problems. He is a strong and worthy person. We are happy that now we also have a wonderful son. Children, be happy with each other, give love and joy, and give your mother and me grandchildren. May you live happily ever after!
- Dear (names of the newlyweds), children! Today you begin building a beautiful structure - your family. My wife and I, having lived in harmony (the time that the bride's parents have been married) for years, know that it is not always easy. Therefore, it is a little sad that you, daughter, no longer fully belong to our family, that you need to go your own way. Whatever it is, I am sure that your husband will be able to support and understand you in everything. He's a good guy, we're glad we can call him our son. Build your life like a beautiful, bright and warm home, in which there is a place of love, joy and children, which is full of peace and tranquility. Having invested your soul in building your family, you will definitely be rewarded with happiness and prosperity. Joy and all the best to you!
My beloved daughter and (name of the groom), my new son! Don’t look that I’m crying - it’s out of joy for you, my dear children. Your family was born today. Let this day be just the first of an endless number of happy days warmed by your love. Live together, enjoy every minute, try never to leave each other for more than a few hours. Face all adversities together, then they will turn into nothing. And happiness divided by two will increase tenfold. And most importantly, love and honor each other!
The right words to bless the newlyweds
A wedding is the most important step in the life of a young couple. That is why it begins with the blessing of the people closest to them - their parents. This tradition goes back centuries. The parents of the young people bless them not only with parting words, but also with an icon.
There are no special instructions regarding which saint should be depicted on it. It all depends on the wishes of the parents and the young. After the end of the celebration, the icon moves to the house of the newlyweds and becomes their amulet. It is placed in a secluded place along with a towel. Most often, icons of the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ and St. Nicholas the Pleasant are chosen for this purpose.
Several centuries ago, refusal to bless the newlyweds was considered a significant obstacle to marriage. If one of the parties refused, the wedding could never take place, despite the strong feelings of the boy and girl.
So how are the young blessed today? If previously this took place before marriage, at the moment when the young man asked for the hand of the bride’s parents. In the modern world, parents do this after, first, the ceremonial part. The action scenario is developed in advance.
The selected icon is wrapped in an embroidered towel. She is in the hands of the groom's father. At the request of the parents, there can be two icons - for each pair of parents. Fathers give parting words to the young family. They bless the bride first, then the groom. Parents baptize their newly-made wife and husband with an icon.
There is an opinion that touching an icon with bare hands means trouble. Whether this is true or not, no one knows, but the tradition is strictly observed. After the ceremony is completed, the icons are placed on the festive table, next to the newlyweds.
In some families, it is customary to give parting wishes before the ceremony, in a narrow family circle. In particular, when blessing a daughter or son, the icon is also held in a towel, pronouncing wishes for a long and happy family life. A daughter or son is also baptized with an icon.
The future newlywed must listen to his parents and kiss the icon. After this, it is believed that he begins his own adult life. As for the text that parents speak, it is best if parents speak for themselves. Memorized words will look inappropriate in such a situation.
It is associated with a honey drink, which was customary to drink in Ancient Rus' during a wedding celebration. Honey infusion was a symbol of the easy and sweet future life of the young. The loaf helped determine in advance who would be the head of the family.
The bride and groom should break off a piece, add salt and feed each other. It was believed that whose piece was larger would have the final say in the family. They salted the bread so that in future the young people would not have quarrels. Candles are lit to maintain warmth in the family hearth.
This point should be discussed in advance and prepared for it. Especially if the parents have a large text prepared. And, of course, everything described above makes sense only if both spouses are baptized.
Only in this case, the blessing of the parents will be valid. It is carried out not only after a trip to the registry office, but also after the wedding ceremony. In this case, not only the blood-related parents bless, but also the imprisoned ones.
The main thing is that it is carried out with warmth and with all the heart. Regardless of the option you choose, this is a beautiful wedding tradition, without which the wedding celebration will not be as soulful.
Parting words to the son and “new” daughter from the groom’s father and mother
Dear children! Today means a lot to all of us. I thought I was losing my son, but in fact I had found a wonderful daughter. Now my family has grown, this is also happiness. I bless you, live in harmony and appreciate each other. Let ringing laughter always be heard in your home, and let the smiles of two loving people give light. I wish you healthy children, to the delight of grandparents, to help mom and dad. Cherish the love!
My dear son and (name of the bride), his wife. Thank you! Today has made me much richer - now I have a daughter. Son, look at this girl who has become your wife. She's beautiful. You must be worthy of her, be a protector and support. Love each other, children, keep your feelings for life. Then your life will be bright and clear, full of bright moments and quiet joy. You and your mother have our blessing, and the main thing is that you have each other.
Blessing of parents at a wedding: how the ceremony takes place
The blessing of parents at a wedding has been a very important wedding ritual since ancient times. The blessing of parents means their permission for their children to register an official marriage. During the blessing, parents not only allow their children to get married, but also say parting words to the young.
In the old days, children who married without the blessing of their parents were considered sinners, and all the people around them condemned them. A family created without parental blessing was initially considered unhappy, and the church had the right to refuse these spouses a wedding.
Nowadays, the ritual of blessing is not taken as seriously as before, but in a simpler form. But the main thing here is not the process itself, but its essence.
Preparation for the ceremony according to church traditions
The custom of giving blessings at weddings has deep roots. But, since not many people get married these days, the parting words have changed. Now there is an opportunity to carry it out in two ways - in traditional Orthodox traditions or according to a modern simplified version. Orthodox ritual is a serious matter. It must be carried out in accordance with all traditions and requires preparation from all participants in the action. For the modern simplified version of the blessing, no special preparations are required.
If the newlyweds decide to carry out the ceremony in Orthodox traditions, then first of all they need to inform their parents or those who will bless about the decision (this could be a godfather, a godmother, a brother, a sister, a loved one, if there are no parents)
It is important that everyone knows in advance and is not against carrying out the corresponding ceremony
An Orthodox blessing obliges each participant in the process to be baptized. If necessary, you need to perform the sacrament of baptism for those who have not done so before. Then they buy icons and a wedding towel, which is needed so as not to take the images with bare hands (this is prohibited). Some icon shops sell special sets for blessing the newlyweds. You will also need to find the text of the blessing. It wouldn’t hurt to consult a priest so you don’t miss anything.
How does the ceremony of blessing parents take place at a wedding?
To begin with, it is worth noting the fact that in the world there is no one scenario for the ceremony of blessing parents at a wedding that is mandatory for everyone.
Therefore, at each event, this ceremony takes place in its own way, based on the traditions of a particular family and taking into account the preferences of the newlyweds and their parents.
But still, when conducting a blessing ceremony, all its participants must be baptized, and also agree and are ready for this ceremony.
The bride and groom receive their very first blessing before the wedding at matchmaking, when their parents meet at a common table, agree with their children’s decision about marriage and begin discussing the future wedding.
At a wedding celebration, the blessing ceremony usually takes place in two steps: the first time the parents bless their child at home before going to the registry office to register the marriage or to the church for the wedding, and the second time when they meet the newlyweds in front of the banquet hall where the celebration will take place, with bread and salt .
For the blessing ceremony, parents on the groom’s side buy an icon of Christ the Savior, and parents on the bride’s side buy an icon of the Kazan Mother of God.
Before the first blessing ceremony, it is customary to wrap the icons with a new towel, then the parents turn them to face their children and cross them three times, and only then say parting words. All this happens in secret from everyone.
The second blessing ceremony takes place more festively in the presence of both the newlyweds and all invited guests. At the same time, the parents of the newlyweds say parting words to their children, holding icons and a loaf of salt on a towel in their hands.
Words of blessing from parents to young people
Just as there is no general plan for conducting a wedding blessing ceremony, there are no obligatory words that the parents of the bride and groom must certainly say when blessing the newlyweds.
Let us give an approximate plan of what should be said to the parents of the newlyweds when blessing them.
- The groom's parents speak first.
First, the groom’s mother blesses the young couple’s marriage, says that she will be glad to see and welcome her son’s chosen one in her home, is ready to help and support her, and in return asks to carefully preserve the new family hearth. - And the mother directs her son to show love and respect for his wife. The groom's father joins the mother's words and wishes his son to be a real man with a capital M in his family, an exemplary husband and a caring father for future children.
- Then the turn goes to the bride's parents. First, the father speaks, asking his son-in-law to treat his most precious treasure - his daughter - with respect and love, and also to protect her from all troubles and misfortunes, and to always be there. The mother on the bride's side speaks last.
Perhaps my mother’s words are always the most touching and heartfelt. She blesses their family for a happy family life, wishes them to overcome together all the difficulties and hardships along the way, give birth to and raise beautiful children.
What to do with icons and towels after the ceremony of blessing by parents?
After parting words, parents baptize their children with icons and let them kiss them, and also invite the young ones to bite off a piece of the loaf, sprinkle it with salt and eat it.
Believing newlyweds can place these icons in a prominent place in their home. An unbelieving married couple keeps the icons wrapped in a towel in a separate place in the house.
But the most important thing is that these icons cannot be given to anyone from outside or re-gifted. They need to be protected as a family heirloom and passed on to future children from generation to generation.
This is what an approximate plan for blessing a young couple with their parents looks like, if all participants in the ceremony are Orthodox Christians.
If the blessing ritual takes place in a family of atheists, then icons are not used in this case, and the ritual itself consists of parents simply saying parting words and wishes to their children.
It happens that parents deny their children a blessing, which may be due to various reasons. But in this case, you shouldn’t despair, you need to wait a little.
It is possible that after some time, parents will see their child’s chosen one in a different, better light, they will be able to discern in him those qualities and character traits that their child liked, then they will finally accept the child’s choice and bless the young couple for marriage.
And, it is possible that the parents will turn out to be right that they refused the blessing and the chosen one of their daughter or son is not such a good person as their child initially thought. In any case, it takes time to figure everything out.
The main thing is that parents really approve of their children’s choice and sincerely wish them a happy family life, and are also ready to help and support their children.
Parental blessing
Before leaving their father's house, parents give their blessing to their children, blessing their son with the icon of the Savior, and blessing their daughter with the image of the Mother of God.
Important! Only the baptized bride and groom stand under the image to receive the parental blessing with the help of icons.
If one of the young people was not baptized in childhood or did not convert to Orthodoxy in adulthood, it is necessary to ask the priest to first perform the baptismal ceremony, and only then prepare for the wedding. Unbaptized parents should not hold holy icons.
In Orthodox families, where the customs of their ancestors are revered, the newlyweds, before leaving the house, kneel before their parents, who read a prayer with triple baptism and say a short parting word, after which they present the icons to the children for kissing.
Icons for blessing the newlyweds before the wedding
It is important to remember that Holy faces are necessarily kept on towels, purchased or embroidered by the bride herself long before the wedding. With these images, the wedding procession goes to the wedding and wedding ceremony.
At the end of the wedding, the wedding images are hung or placed in the room so that it is convenient to pray in front of them. If the young people were baptized in childhood, but did not know the Faith of Christ, the icons are wrapped in towels and stored until the time of the spouses’ churching.
Text of parental blessing for wedding
Our Lord, Jesus Christ, I pray to you for the sake of your Most Pure Mother, hear me and cleanse me from sins, your unworthy daughter. Lord, our children (Names) are in the power of Your mercy, grant them mercy and salvation for the sake of Your name. Savior, forgive them all their sins, obvious and involuntary, that the children committed before You. Guide them, Lord, on the true path, enlighten the young to know and fulfill Your commandments, illuminate them with the Light of Christ for the salvation of souls and healing of the body. Lord, I call upon Your blessing upon every place where they will dwell. Savior, keep our children under Your protection from arrows and flying bullets, from heat, hunger and cold, evil forces and witchcraft, may their misfortunes and evil pass. Lord, cleanse them from all filth and addictions, heal them from sudden onset illnesses and trials, be with them in days of sorrow and mental suffering. Bless, Creator Almighty, our children with the grace of the Holy Spirit for many years of life, happiness, health and purity. Grant them, God, piety in family life and healthy children. Grant to us, parents, Your unworthy and sinful servants, to bless our son and daughter at any time of the day with Your name, with Your eternal Kingdom, standing forever and ever. Amen.
How to bless your son before the wedding: words of maternal blessing
The word of parents, as you know, is endowed with special power. Father's and mother's blessings can have a direct impact on the fate of children. That is why they turn to their parents with such a request before any important event. One of them is the wedding day. How to bless your son before the wedding? What words should I say?
Not a single modern wedding is complete without parental blessing, just like in ancient times. The meaning of the ritual is quite multifaceted. Parents agree with their child’s choice, approve of the union, wish love and happiness, and give wise parting words to the young family.
Every mother should know how to bless her son before the wedding.
So, the solemn wedding day is approaching. The mother’s blessing of her son before the wedding plays a special role, so it must be prepared in advance, every word carefully thought out. You will have to spend some time writing your commencement speech. As a rule, words of blessing of the son are said before the wedding after the newlyweds’ walk, before entering the banquet venue. At the same time, the mother meets the newlyweds with a loaf and salt, while the father holds icons.
However, this option is slightly simplified. According to ancient canons, a mother’s blessing is given to a son twice before a wedding. The first time - in his father's house, the second - together with his young wife (as described above).
Distribution of roles between parents
The groom's mother and father are naturally very worried before the wedding. When preparing for the blessing ceremony, they try first of all to figure out exactly how their roles will be distributed - who will be the first to address the newlyweds, who will hold the icons, and who will be the bread and salt. In fact, there is no single template. Each wedding can be organized differently.
A few more nuances
We should also not forget about some serious points. It is necessary to give parting words to your son before the wedding not just with icons in your hands. They must be held with towels, just like a loaf.
After the words of blessing have been spoken, the newlyweds must be crossed with icons and given a kiss. The sign of the cross is performed from top to bottom and from left to right - this is how it is according to church canons. You need to mentally “replay this action in your head” in advance so as not to get confused at the most crucial moment.
What you need to know about blessing: useful tips
You cannot hold icons with your bare hands. They say it's a bad omen
Therefore, it is very important not to forget to purchase towels. The newlyweds will then be able to cover the icons with them and put them in their special place in the house
In addition, a towel is also useful for a loaf.
According to an ancient custom, parents must first cross the bride and groom with the icon three times before the registry office, then the children kiss the icon. The same ritual is repeated in the banquet hall. Today this custom is very rarely followed. However, if this is important for future spouses, then it is better to follow all the rules.
If it was decided that in the banquet hall the icon will be in the hands of one of the fathers, then it is better to explain to him in advance all the subtleties of the upcoming ritual. The fact is that men do not always pay special attention to this and can get confused at the most inopportune moment.
When newlyweds receive parting words of blessing from their parents before and after the registry office, they must kneel.
Sometimes it happens that one of the newlyweds has an incomplete family. Maybe there is no mother or father. In this case, the godparents must bless.
The ceremony of blessing the newlyweds is very difficult, but interesting. Some married couples skip it, but in vain. Parents are the most important people in any person's life. They gave life, raised and were always there - both in sorrow and in joy. There is nothing stronger than their sincere blessing. It is believed that young families who decided to follow the traditions and received these holy parting words lived in a happy marriage.
You should purchase several towels for the image and loaf. Each icon is held with a separate towel
Each loaf, and there may be several of them, should have its own holiday towel. Before kissing the icon, the mother or father baptizes the young people with it three times, while making the sign from top to bottom, note, from left to right, so that the young people receive the Orthodox sign of the cross, from right to left. The entire church wedding ceremony must be previously discussed with the clergyman, so that everyone present at the wedding and holding the icon knows what and how to do.
Attention! In the old days, without parental permission and blessing, a priest did not have the right to perform a wedding ceremony. Disobedient children who entered into an unmarried marriage without parental blessing were deprived of inheritance and acceptance in society
What icons are used to bless the young?
To avoid misunderstandings during the wedding ceremony, you need to know some nuances:
- Purchase several embroidered towels in advance - under each icon, under all the loaves, under the knees of the newlyweds.
- Before the young people kiss the icon, they must be baptized with it three times. The sign of the cross is made from left to right to form a true Orthodox cross.
- On the eve of the wedding, consult with the priest on how to properly hold the icons. It also wouldn’t hurt to find out other nuances of the ceremony.
Remember that parental blessing is a central action in the wedding ceremony. This is not just a blessing, it is the transfer of family traditions to young spouses. Without a blessing, there may not be happiness in family life.
The ritual needs to be revived!
If the parents of the couple themselves received the blessing, it is a little easier for them. You won't have to think about the words for long. How to bless your son before the wedding? Yes, just pass on the parting words heard before your wedding, so to speak, “by inheritance”!
If the parents of the newlyweds did not receive blessings, this is not a problem. You just need to learn a prayer and come up with words of wishes for fidelity, tenderness, love, prosperity, prosperity, etc. In general, everything you need for a happy married life. By blessing their children sincerely and from the heart, parents will give them a feeling of support for many, many years.
Mother's parting words, by the way, bring a lot of softness and tenderness, generosity and the ability to forgive, receptivity and warmth into the relationship of young people, and rid the family of aggression and cruelty.
Three most important points!
Thus, it is necessary to think very carefully about how to bless your son before the wedding. Correctly spoken words - sincere, sincere - will give the newlyweds three very important qualities.
Firstly, parental blessing brings spouses confidence that they will always live in abundance. Secondly, it gives confidence that the newlyweds will protect each other the way their parents protected each other for many years. Thirdly, the spouses will feel unconditional support in all their endeavors and confidence in all their capabilities. Do not forget that female energy is the best assistant in building a future family.
