What is given to the wedding of the young

The institution of marriage is undergoing a transformation these days.significant changes. They concern both positive and negative aspects. Firstly, many young people, before going to the registry office, prefer, so to speak, to test their feelings and live a little in a civil marriage. Secondly, in addition to the official ceremony in a government agency, newlyweds increasingly go to church for the heavenly blessing of the union. So what is a wedding - a tribute to tradition or a sincere desire to become spouses not only in the eyes of society, but also before God? Each of us will answer this question in his own way, but, unfortunately, despite the persistent trend towards the revival of the role of the church in people's lives, the number of divorces is steadily growing. Just imagine that out of a hundred percent of marriages, forty break up after a few years. So maybe a wedding is a way for some couples to refrain from divorce? Be that as it may, but the church ceremony itself, sanctifying the sacrament of marriage, is incredibly beautiful and touching. And in this case, it does not matter at all whether a young girl in a white dress or a middle-aged woman in an elegant suit stands before the altar. Of course, in the first case, a certain aura of innocence flies over the couple, but in the second case, an excellent confirmation of the feelings of the already quite mature newlyweds is the presence of common children or even grandchildren.

Wedding Presents: Is there a problem or no problem?

But the guests invited to such a lofty eventspiritual sense of the ceremony, are concerned with the same question: what to give for a wedding? There are no problems if both the registration at the registry office and the church sacrament take place on the same day. Then any wedding congratulations are appropriate: money, household appliances, and so on. But what to give to a couple who decided to get married a month, a year or decades after the official registration of marriage? After all, newlyweds often invite loved ones to share with them the happiness of entering into a family union once again, this time under the arches of the church. There is an opinion that gifts should not be given at all for an Orthodox wedding. There are practically no arguments in favor of this statement. The clergy also do not express any prohibitions. Perhaps this is a simple superstition? In any case, take into account the opinion of the "newlyweds" themselves. If they insist on the absence of any gifts for the wedding, act in accordance with their wishes. Otherwise, you will have to think about what is best to choose as a congratulation, and what is still not worth giving. It is one thing if the young newlyweds perceive the church ceremony as some kind of tribute to fashion. In this case, even if the wedding is planned a month or two after registration at the registry office, you should not rack your brains over a gift. Choose something from household appliances or dishes: a young family, especially if it lives separately from their parents, usually needs the simplest things. Are you afraid that your gift will not be a single copy? Then there is nothing easier than putting a certain amount of money in a beautiful envelope. And if you want to stand out, buy a beautiful photo album in a thematic store, made "antique". In general, those young people who are not particularly religious and are getting married, so to speak, for beauty, can be given anything, as long as it is appropriate. The situation is completely different with a couple who takes the church sacrament seriously. These can be both young and mature people, but they are united by the idea that the true union of two people is made in heaven and therefore needs a blessing from above. What should a wedding gift be in this case? What can best symbolize a spiritual connection, purity and the desire to become each other's only life partner forever?

Icon - a sacred charm for each family

On the occasion of a church wedding ceremonyIt is customary to give icons of Orthodox saints. The so-called "wedding pair" is especially popular - images of the Father Almighty or Jesus Christ and the Holy Virgin Mary. This gift is usually given to newlyweds by their parents. It becomes a kind of talisman for the couple and protects them from all kinds of adversity and misfortune. In some families, it is customary to pass such icons down through generations - to older children entering into marriage. If your heroes of the occasion have not yet received such a talisman, then it is quite appropriate to choose it as a gift. Especially if we are talking about mature spouses, because their parents may no longer be around on the wedding day. Another option is to present icons with the faces of guardian angels for each of the newlyweds. Usually they are chosen in accordance with the names of the spouses given to them at baptism. A magnificent frame inlaid with silver or gold will become a worthy decoration and a kind of family talisman. As a rule, expensive icons are painted with special paints, and a solid oak board is used for their production. Perhaps your gift will start a tradition of passing on personalized icons to grandchildren who bear the name of their grandmother or grandfather, who are now getting married. Very appropriate gifts for a church wedding are images of Peter and Fevronia. These saints are considered by Orthodox Christians to be the patrons of lovers and symbolize the unbreakable spiritual connection between spouses even after death. Do not forget to wish the newlyweds fidelity, spiritual purity, deep love and mutual respect, let the warmth and light of their great feelings forever preserve the family hearth. A worthy gift will also be an icon with the face of a saint who patronizes the professions of the young. In order not to get into trouble, talk about this with the clergyman in advance, he will tell you exactly what you need to choose. Doctors can be given an image of St. Luke, St. Panteleimon, New Martyr Elizabeth. For teachers, choose an icon with the faces of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Don't be upset if your newlyweds have more modern professions, they also have their patrons. Separately, it is worth mentioning the embroidered icon. Today, this type of ancient needlework is regaining its former popularity. But if you have not mastered the art of cross-stitching or are not sure that you can make an icon truly beautiful, do not be upset. After all, you can easily buy a ready-made hand-made image in a monastery. The local craftswomen know how to use not only bright threads and beads in embroidery, but sometimes pearls. Therefore, such icons, especially personalized ones, will become very original and exclusive gifts for a wedding. By the way, if you are tormented by doubts that the young will be presented with many faces of saints and yours will simply get lost, then do otherwise. Give them a special shelf for arranging a home iconostasis, a beautiful lamp and a couple of silver candlesticks. Such an original solution will definitely please the heroes of the occasion and will become a worthy and practical decoration of their room.

The most appropriate gifts on the occasion of church marriage

First of all I would like to say that the youngyou can give quite ordinary things and objects. But! If you choose a set of cutlery, give preference to the one that is made of silver or covered with it. Excellent fit also silver goblets, glasses with inlays, unusual plates and so on. Bed linen, sewn from expensive fabrics, decorated with embroidery and lace, can also be presented on the occasion of the wedding. Particularly elegant looks a set of white or cream color, which will not leave the couple indifferent.
You can present the young Bible in a beautifulbound with inlay. No less interesting congratulations will be a wedding portrait made by a good artist. To cheaper options is to include all sorts of figurines, sculptures and paintings on biblical themes. You can give the newlyweds gold or silver chains (without crosses), rosary, bracelets with the faces of saints.
A very good gift is still the book. So let the future spouses write their own work, original memoirs, illustrated with photographs, supplemented with inferences and interesting thoughts. All that is required for this is to give them a huge album, decorated in the form of a book, for the wedding. Now many artists make to order real works of art of this kind, with gilding, precious or semiprecious stones.
Those guests who have sufficientmeans, it is worth paying attention to the gold coins issued by Sberbank. By the way, they are decorated with the faces of Nicholas the Wonderworker, Sergius of Radonezh and other holy martyrs. The collector's coin is a very worthy gift, which fully corresponds to the spirit of the celebration. Perhaps in the future the spouses, inspired by your greetings, will begin to collect their own collection, which will be passed on from generation to generation. You can also give the newlyweds an ingot of silver or gold with themed engraving.
If future spouses who give their vows forthe dome of the church, are deeply religious people, then why would not close people get together and offer them a tour of holy places? This does not necessarily have to be a trip to Israel - you can consider options related to the near abroad, and even in Russia there are enough famous temples and monasteries. Especially will like such an unusual gift to middle-aged people who will gladly accept the idea of not just relaxing from routine, but also getting spiritual food.

In any case, whatever you choose asgift on the occasion of the sacrament of marriage, do not forget to complement the congratulations with a beautifully decorated bouquet of flowers and warm wishes. On such a significant day for two loving people, it is more important than ever to create an atmosphere of sincerity, kindness and purity. Remember that the newlyweds did not just invite you to the wedding celebration. They wanted to share great happiness with you and initiate you into the great sacrament of love. Therefore, with your congratulations, you should emphasize the understanding of such an important moment in the life of every family.