Book of Needs of the Holy Orthodox Church

by Russkaia pravoslavnaia tserkov

O Lord our God, who hast espoused the church as a pure virgin from among the gentiles; do thou bless these espousals, and unite and keep these thy servants in peace and unanimity.

For to thee is due all glory, honour, and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to ages of ages.

Then the priest, taking the rings, giveth first the golden one to the man, and the silver one to the woman, and saith to the man,

The servant of God, name, is betrothed to the handmaid of God, name, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

And in like manner to the woman, The handmaid of God, name, is betrothed to the servant of God, name, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

And he maketh a cross with the rings upon their heads, and placeth them on the fingers of their right hands. Then the sponsor changeth the rings of the bridal pair.

After this, the deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.

Priest, the prayer.

Master, Lord our God, who sparest all, and providest for all, who knowest the secrets of men, having knowledge of all things; do thou cleanse our sins, and pardon the transgression of thy servants, calling them to repentance: vouchsafe unto them remission of iniquities, cleansing of sins, pardon of voluntary and involuntary transgressions, O thou that knowest the weakness of human nature, thou Fashioner and Creator. O thou who didst forgive Raab the harlot, and accept the repentance of the publican, remember not our sins of ignorance from our youth up. For if thou, O Lord, shouldest mark transgressions, who should stand before thee, O Lord? or what flesh should be justified in thy sight? For thou only art just, sinless, holy, of abundant mercy, plenteous beneficence, and repentest thee concerning the evils of men. Do thou thyself, O Master, who claimest thy servants, name, name, unite them to one another in love; give unto them the conversion of the publican, the tears of the harlot, and the confession of the thief, that, through repentance from all their heart, performing thy commandments in unanimity and peace, they may be counted worthy of thy heavenly kingdom.