For a wedding
Τὸ πρῶτο τους σπίτι
Their first home
At the wedding two crowns joined by one ribbon make a couple into a household. The first things that household hangs on its walls are its icons. Walk through the rooms and see where each one belongs.
Open the doorRoom by room
Where the icons live
E marks east, the wall the icon corner traditionally faces.
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The icon corner
Τὸ εἰκονοστάσι
Most Orthodox homes keep a corner of icons with a vigil lamp, traditionally on the east wall. A new couple often begins it with Christ and the Mother of God, side by side.
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The table
Ἡ τράπεζα
Abraham and Sarah set a table for three strangers and found they had welcomed God. The icon of a home that keeps its door and its table open.
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Above the bed
Ἡ στεφανοθήκη
Many couples keep their wedding crowns in a glass case, the stefanothiki, with an icon beside it: Christ’s first miracle, at a wedding.
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The hall
Ἡ εἴσοδος
The first thing seen on coming home. “I am the vine, ye are the branches”: a family growing from one root.
Giving to a couple
A room’s icon, as your gift
The koumbaros, the parents, the godparents: choose a room and give its icon, with the couple’s names and the date as a written dedication. It will still hang there at their silver anniversary.
Example dedication
Anna & Nikos
12 June · may God bless your home
