Saturday 22 November 2014

Types of Marriages #4 : Christian Marthoma Marriage



Marthomas are said to be St.Thomas Christians. The Marthomite history begins from St. Thomas the Apostle. They claim they are the very ancient Christians and converted from Brahmins. The Marthoma wedding takes place normally in groom’s parish. The Vicars of two churches and parish (of bride and groom) announces the marriage. It will repeat in two Sundays. If any objection occurs, it could be inform to the vicars. In some particular cases, the permit of the diocesan bishop also need for marriage functions. The Kerala matrimonials have some rooted activities with Marthoma wedding. Prayers are a lot and the Marthoma wedding is very much attractive. The wedding rings, gold chain, manthra kodi are the key factors from the Marthoma tradition of marriage. In the wedding day, the vicar/achan visits both homes before they enter in church for wedding ceremony. The sanctum sanctoram or madbaha is not uses for Marthoma wedding. The marthoma wedding has some meaningful contacts with the Kerala matrimonials. The celebrants have to stand in particular place especially designed for marriages. The bride has to head covered during the wedding ceremony. According to Marthoma Syrian church marriage is holy sacrament and the same concept is the base of all Christianity. The relationship between husband and wife is a mystery and the vicar compares the same as the union of Christ and church. The marriage service is rich with symbolism where Christ is the divine bride groom and church as groom. The wedding ceremony of Marthomite is very different from other Christian communities. It has a unique pattern of its own and Marthoma marriage from engagement (blessing of the ring) to marriage (blessing of the crown) shows the traditional based rites and celebrations. The Marthoma marriages are very relevant in the Kerala matrimonials. There would be preaching on the duties of husband and wife in their life together.The Marthoma marriages are strictly under the belief where the unity in Christ plays key role. The wedding ceremony of Marthoma is comparatively simple than other Christian denominations. As religious rites, the marthoma wedding ceremony has everything to follow some ideals from the ancient tradition where Apostle Saint Thomas has been initiated a tradition of Christianity with many dominant rituals.

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