In some Scandinavian countries - Norway, Sweden and Denmark - as well as the Greek Orthodox Church, the wedding ring finger of the right hand bears the ring. Questions & Answers / i just got engaged last night and we in australia are used to seeing the rings of engaged or married people wearing there rings on the left, i converted 6mths ago to serbian orthodox so off course my ring is on the right, i don't see anyone in serbia wearing there rings on the left not even the catholics here, personally who cares what finger all i am about is a marriage should always be done in a church not by some celebrant in some park ..... thats just my two cents of the matter... and yes I'm excited hehe. However, it is another example of how the West has gone its own way and drifted from the orthodox ethos. Over time, the materials used for wedding rings evolved to include leather, bone, and eventual… The same with Arab Christians. In a word: I am changing. They believed the left hand was unhappy and "unreliable." I had thought the placement of the wedding band on the left finger was for practical reasons, not pagan ones--in Islam the right hand is used to eat with, the left for something else, and both need to be kept separate for health reasons. Just a research of history and culture is enough. Both men and women wore betrothal bands in Early Christianity. Why do only women wear engagemwnt rings? I'm really glad that I found your blog! Now...spelling and syntax...that is another matter... Austria, Bulgaria, Colombia, Denmark, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India (mostly for men), Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Perú, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Ukraine, and Venezuela wear wedding rings on their right hands.There is a difference between fighting others and following ones own tradition. 3. If you have a specific question about Orthodox Christianity or the Orthodox Church in America, don't wear any rings. As our marriage is sealed in Christ, the ring is placed on the right hand. And Which same should everyone adopt... My same or Your same? It was in a Greek Church and no one bothered to explain it to her. The first wedding rings are believed to date back to ancient Egypt, when people wove grasses and reeds into circles symbolizing eternity and completeness. In much of the Western world, it is traditional to wear a wedding ring on the left-hand ring finger. The groom offers the bouquet to her, and takes her right hand after her father. The other is to desire less. However, in nations around the world, wedding rings are worn on the right ring finger. Not " fighting " anything. U are really not aware of various customs. You are correct in that the pagans put rings on the left hand and Israel rejected being "like unto the nations". Once you’re married, tradition dictates that your engagement band be moved back to the third finger on your left hand. There are Eastern European countries as well as some Scandinavian countries where the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger of the right hand. Favorite Answer Most people in the Orthodox church wear it on their right hand when they are engaged and on their left hand when they are married. The Egyptians wore their rings on the fourth finger of the left hand, believing that a vein from that finger led directly to the heart. YouTube | I'm Russian orthodox my priest placed wedding ring on right hand. Many American Orthodox continue to wear their rings on the right hand; others choose to wear it on the left. It initially started from Romans as they wore wedding rings on their right hands considering the left hand unreliable and forbidding. All rights reserved. An obvious reason for using the right hand is that oaths —both in Jewish and in Roman tradition —were traditionally (and biblically) performed with the right hand. You found the home of Orthodox Christian rings and wedding bands! Who is fighting? On which hand should the wedding band reside on a couple married in the Greek Church? a long time ago many asian cultures had women wear on right hand and men on left, so that the man who by nature of yin and yang would rightfully stand to the left side of the woman, can hold her hand, not blocked by any rings. I have seen a few Orthodox writers brush off the subject of heliocentric vs. geocentric model of the Earth/Universe. Our pride, especially as former pastors, does not die too easily. Anonymous comments are not allowed. we'll be happy to answer it! Read on for ways to avoid ring transfer snafus at your wedding. This comment has been removed by the author. Great blog...Very useful information..Thank u.. Our discussions revealed several Protestant errors. Once in a Cathedral book store I casually checked the hands of 7-8 women who entered. The Eastern Orthodox wedding ceremony is an ancient rite full of profound symbolism and meaning. However, in Europe in general, whether in an Orthodox country or a non-Orthodox country, people wear their rings on the right hand. In the midst of my Journey To Orthodoxy, I find my self being redefined. Yes the marriage alone should be enouhg for you but wedding rings arent for you they are for every one else and you are telling them you are single and that is slap in the face to your spouse. For many years, it has been customary in India to wear rings only on the right hand because the left hand was considered "impure." Do Orthodox And Baptists Have A "Similarity of Beliefs"? Does anyone know what the reason would be for her having it on her 'middle' finger?From researching, I understand why the right hand was used, but I'm curious about the 'middle' finger; could it have been affiliated with a specific religion?Thank You ~. G.K. Chesterton   You kn... Over the recent holidays I spent time with my Protestant siblings, two sisters and a brother. Western customs for wedding rings can be traced to ancient Rome.. The Orthodox Christian Church … In Belgium it varies according to which region you live in.In many countries wedding rings are not part of that culture.My advice would be to embrace cultural differences without comprimising ones own. The number three repeats throughout the ceremony, symbolizing the Trinity. I live in Australia and here women wear it on the left. Regardless where I live, I will wear mine on the right like the rest of my family. On that journey, he served on the clergy staff of several churches and finally attended Saint Michael's Seminary (ICCEC) and served as music and worship leader at an ICCEC church. The Sacrament of Marriage. Is a weak conclusion. In response to the Anon. The Mission of The Orthodox Church in America, the local autocephalous Orthodox Christian Church, is to be faithful in fulfilling the commandment of Christ to “Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”, Founded in 1794 — Granted Autocephaly in 1970. My brother noticed that I wore my wedding ring on my right hand and, much to the chagrin of one of my sisters, who is anti-Orthodox, asked why it was so. Facebook | "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. I've just learnt this amazing piece of information and the orthodox church which I prescribe to seems quite right on pegging the practice to biblical tones. Sure Hope So! In the Greek Orthodox Tradition, the father accompanies the bride to the entrance of the church, where the groom awaits with her bouquet. I am today where you were some years back: I am discovering the Spiritual truths of the The Orthodox Faith. In England, the 1549 Prayer Book declared "the ring shall be placed on the left hand". Some people believe a spouse will switch their band to their right hand as a code that means they are open to cheating on their mate. There are two ways to get enough. The reasons for placement on the index finger vary and include: The ancient Romans were the first to wear the wedding ring on the right hand. Exchanging of the rings. In a few European countries, the ring is worn on the left hand prior to marriage, then transferred to the right during the ceremony. When people ask "why the difference", we simply say "this is our custom and tradition". If you mean you lost your mate to death then you have two options ... not wear the wedding rings or wear the rings on the right hand if it gives you comfort. My grandmother was from Kaunas, Lithuania and grandfather from Vilna, Lithuania; the family portrait of both, with their 9 children, shows my grandmother wearing her wedding band on the "middle finger of her right hand." A traditional reason to wear the wedding ring on … Overall, it is a normal, sweaty summer night for me—except, of course, that right now I’m wearing what looks very much like a wedding band on my very much unmarried hand. The Romans call this the “vena amoris”, or “vein of love”. There is really no evidence that the custom of wearing wedding rings on the fourth finger of the left hand is BASED on a Greek fable. It is raised when such an oath is given, so the wedding ring would here show the sincerity of the oath. Also, I am not Greek, but Roman Catholic. Of those wearing a ring, it was on the left hand and only one wore it on her right hand. He entered the Orthodox Christian Church in 2005. And there are MANY of them. Adding to that list of wedding rings on right hands is Bulgaria, Cyprus, Turkey, Portugal, Norway, Montenegro and Slovakia. He and his wife, Xanthia, have. The Orthodox Faith / And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. Does that make a difference? If I hadn't been Orthodox, I would have thought it odd indeed! Left-Handedness. The wedding begins with the betrothal, during which the priest blesses the rings. Thus, by putting the rings on our right hand, rather than our left, we are reminded that everything we do is with the help of God, who watches over us and protects us! But ultimately each person chooses their own path in life and often we fear anything that differs from our own way. Bride and groom then walk together down the aisle, the groom on the right side of the bride. This may be a Greek custom, but not an Orthodox … If everyone jumped off a mountain top would you just because others did? Copyright © 1996–2021. Finally, wearing a wedding ring on the right hand can simply mean that the wearer is left-handed and doesn’t want his or her ring to be subjected to the wear and tear from their dominant hand. Which is preferred? A Greek Orthodox Wedding is an exciting event enriched in culture and traditionalism. As we will see, the wearing of a signet ring (which is the ancient equivalent to the modern wedding ring) was NOT based on such a fable at all. under Metropolitan Hilarion. Not. The main thing is God crated marriage. Can you please correct me father my understanding. The right hand is the traditional hand for vows or oaths. 4. Twitter | The tradition of wearing a wedding ring on this digit originated from the belief that this finger has a vein running directly to the heart. Welcome to JTO. The groom simply slips on one ring during the big moment. Was looking for information on the differences between wedding rings and engagement rings and chanced upon this blog post. There is no such custom in the Orthodox Church of switching the hand after the honeymoon. It is common in many parts of the world.Mary. It's just how we do it. Simon, No need to correct your understanding. Some brides get both rings soldered together (with the wedding ring on the bottom). I was looking in the Bible in Luke 15, and found in the New King James Version in verse 22, about the Prodigal Son, it only mentions ring finger. In Traditional Judaism the ring is worn on the right hand as well. He is a former news and talk show producer for a local CBS affiliate. There are many throughout the world.Therefore your conclusion that we "fight everything that is so just to prove that you want to be different?" When I remarked about it and said 'of course, I'm Orthodox!' The couple is led through the ceremony by their priest and their koumbaros, a best man who remains an important figure in the couple's life.Most rituals are performed three times to represent the Holy Trinity. Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images. I didn't know that wearing the ring on the left hand had such a profound meaning. in Radio, TV, Film from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a B.A. According to ancient Christian custom, those who are married in Christ are to glance at their wedding ring when making the Sign of the Cross to remind themselves of the Mystery of Crowning in the Lord. A traditional reason to wear the wedding ring on the right hand stems from Roman custom and biblical references. When you do so, your wedding ring should remain closest to your heart (where your spouse placed it on your wedding day) and your engagement ring is placed next to the wedding ring. Christian, orthodox, or pagan it is the left hand that sends the message. The rest is tradition based on the concepts ppl have about the properness of what is godly. The Greeks evolved the fashion of shaving the beard and cutting their hair short centuries before Jesus was born. "Left Behind"? Many American Orthodox continue to wear their rings on the right hand; others choose to wear it on the left. As for … What society? why fight everything that is so, just to prove that you want to be different? I, and my spouse, steadfastly wear our rings on the right hand, and so do all of the Orthodox couples I know. Traditionally Orthodox Christians wear their wedding rings on their right hands, not their left. In the Melkite Catholic (similar to Antiochian Orthodox), it is placed on the right. He was also a licensed and ordained Southern Baptist Minister until the mid 90's when he began his interim Journey To Orthodoxy. It also may feel more comfortable than wearing it on your dominant hand. Our right-handed tradition is based in Scripture (as well vetted, above) and Faith. The Greek Orthodox Wedding Ceremony is an ancient service full of ritual and symbolism. During the wedding ceremony, the ring is placed on the woman's right hand on the index finger. Afterwards, most women move it to the customary "ring finger" of the left hand. The idea is that the chance of ring damage is lower if a ring is worn on the hand that is used less frequently. It is not good practice, however, to borrow his bride’s engagement ring for the wedding! I do not blame you at all, Nathan, but if the author of the quoted text had done the minimal amount of basic research, (such as picking up a translation of the wedding service from superstitious, mediaeval, western Europe), (s)he would have known this.What is the source? You can slide it back in place once the wedding band is on. Greek people, many being Orthodox Christians, also wear the wedding rings on the right hand in keeping with Greek tradition. The Betrothal Service, with the official Blessings of the Rings. A coworker, an Orthodox convert, said she switched it from right to left because she thought they had done it wrong. 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