Attending Russian Wedding: Proper Etiquette?

[Jean_1958]

I will be attending a Russian Orthodox wedding this October. I know I cannot take communion. I want to know how long is the wedding? Will I have to stand the whole time? What is considered proper attire? Will I need to cover my head with a scarf?

The wedding will be at St. George Cathedral in Chicago, IL. Is anyone familiar with this church?

Thank you.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Bring plenty of borsch And don’t bring up the 1980 Olympic hockey game!

 

[horselvr]

–Too funny.

I believe that is the church my neice was married in but sorry it was long ago and I really can’t remember except the ceremony was beautiful and did last quite sometime. I don’t recall anyone wearing a scarf but call and ask. Now, the reception–was a hoot!

 

[josephdaniel29]

I will be attending a Russian Orthodox wedding this October. I know I cannot take communion. I want to know how long is the wedding? Will I have to stand the whole time? What is considered proper attire? Will I need to cover my head with a scarf?

The wedding will be at St. George Cathedral in Chicago, IL. Is anyone familiar with this church?

Thank you.

There is no communion at an Orthodox wedding. The service is a bit longer and nothing like a Western wedding. You will be standing the entire time. As to attire I would call the parish or ask someone involved as it can vary widely depending on the parish.

Relax and enjoy! Feel free to venerate the icons as you enter if you wish. Just follow what everyone else is doing and you will be fine.

In Christ
Joe

 

[Aramis]

I will be attending a Russian Orthodox wedding this October. I know I cannot take communion. I want to know how long is the wedding? Will I have to stand the whole time? What is considered proper attire? Will I need to cover my head with a scarf?

The wedding will be at St. George Cathedral in Chicago, IL. Is anyone familiar with this church?

Thank you.

Proper attire: dress nicely, at least shoulders & knees covered, preferably nice blouse & slacks or skirt, or a dress. Headwear is generally optional; a scarf is traditional. Sensible shoes**, no lipstick*. Layers are often important; the liturgical spaces tend to start cool, and warm up as the service progresses, so a light sweater or shawl might be a good idea, and then mid-service, if too warm, take it off and tie it around the waist or put it into your handbag.

• If you plan on reverencing Icons or the Cross, no lipstick.
  ** Sensible shoes are important; closed toes help protect your toes in case of accidental stepping, and comfortable for standing is important.

 

[Hesychios]

The wedding will be at St. George Cathedral in Chicago, IL. Is anyone familiar with this church?

St George is a small parish. Yes, it is designated a cathedral but there is no bishop, Achimandrite Vladimir is a super guy, very likable, I think that he is a convert from the Lutheran church.

The parish has pews (at least it did when I was there a few years ago), and I do not expect that to have changed. Do not worry about headcoverings.

I would be much more concerned about the parking than the etiquette