NEVER SCHEDULE WEDDINGS ON THESE DAYS: Father Gligorije reveals that some newlyweds are offering bribes to break church rules
One of the most notable Serbian nuns of our time explains why emotions and spiritual kinship are more important than social expectations and how the Orthodox view can help us avoid life's pitfalls.
TL;DR
- Weddings are increasingly scheduled on weekdays (Wednesdays and Fridays) due to lower costs compared to Saturdays.
- In Orthodox tradition, Wednesdays and Fridays are fasting days and considered inappropriate for celebrations like weddings.
- Priests warn of attempts to bypass these rules, including the offering of bribes.
- The Church can grant exceptions in rare, carefully considered circumstances.
- Other periods when church weddings are not permitted include major fasts, Krstovdan, Usekovanje, Easter, and Bright Week.
- Some couples opt for a civil ceremony on a weekday with a celebration, followed by a separate, modest church ceremony.
- The article questions whether weddings are treated as mere events to be organized or as acts requiring understanding and respect.