Before determining the day and time of the wedding ceremony, interested parties must definitely communicate with the priest of their parish. It is necessary, before proceeding with any other preparations, to be sure that the priest is available on that particular day and time, free from other obligations and duties, in order to perform the sacrament of marriage.
Weddings are NOT allowed to take place.
- From December 12th until Christmas.
- On the eve of Epiphany.
- During Great Lent.
- The period of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary (August 1-15).
- On August 29th.
- On September 14th.
- During the Feasts of the Lord and the Mother of God.
The following certificates are required for the execution:
- Certificate of Celibacy for the future spouses from the Archdiocese in which they reside. The document should not be older than six months. To obtain the certificate, the following documents must be submitted:
- Declaration from the consular authority stating that you have no relation with your spouse and that you have not entered into another marriage.
- Identification card or passport.
- Certificate of residence in the Netherlands (indicating the total number of years of residence).
- Completed application for the issuance of the Certificate of Freedom to Marry.
APPLICATION
- If the marriage is mixed, the non-Orthodox member is required to provide a baptismal certificate from the Church to which they belong. Marriage to a non-Christian or unbaptized individual is prohibited.
- The future spouses must sign a declaration in the presence of the priest, stating that they are not related to each other. In the declaration, two witnesses must also co-sign
In Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, before the religious wedding ceremony, the civil wedding must be performed according to the prevailing legislation.
The best man cannot be of a different religion or faith, but also Orthodox, who has only had a civil wedding or has entered into a cohabitation agreement.
The Holy Metropolis issues and provides the **Marriage Certificate** to interested parties after the completion of the wedding ceremony, bearing the signature of the priest and the seal of the Parish. Those who hold Greek citizenship should be aware that the Greek ecclesiastical, consular, and municipal authorities recognize only the certificate issued by the Holy Metropolis, as it is the institution that monitors and ensures the legitimacy and legality of the religious acts.
Greek citizens who have gotten married must declare this (according to Law 344/1976 ‘on Greek civil acts’) at the closest Greek Consular Authority, within 40 days, by presenting their Marriage Certificate issued by the Holy Metropolis.