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ABOUT MARRIAGE AND WEDDINGS
AT THE CATHEDRAL OF THE INCARNATION
The decision to marry is one of the great decisions of life. In marriage, a man and a woman commit themselves to a lifelong union “for the purpose of mutual fellowship, encouragement, and understanding, for the procreation, if it may be, of children, and their physical and spiritual nurture.” Marriage is a sacrament, an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, administered to one another by the couple. The focal point of the sacrament is the wedding ceremony, but the sacramental nature of marriage involves infinitely more. “Therefore, marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.” Couples applying to be married in this church are understood to be seeking the fullness of the sacrament in the blessing of God on their relationship.
To be married at the Cathedral of the Incarnation at least one of the parties to the union must be a practicing Episcopalian, active, participating and known to the Treasurer at the Cathedral of the Incarnation for at least nine months prior to a wedding date. It may be possible, if extenuating circumstances exist, to be married at the Cathedral instead of your home church if permission is granted by your home church rector and approval is given by the Provost at the Cathedral.
- WHO MAY BE MARRIED AT THE CATHEDRAL
a. Persons being married in the Cathedral must meet the requirements of the canons of the Episcopal Church and of the State of New York.
b. While it is required that at least one of the parties is baptized, it would normally be expected that both parties be baptized and practicing Christians, or seeking to become so.
c. The permission of the Provost is required for every wedding in the Cathedral.
d. Canon Law gives the discretionary right to all clergy to decline to solemnize any marriage without reason.
e. Parties to the marriage must sign the Declaration of Intention.
f. Marriages involving previously married parties whose prior marriage ended in divorce may be solemnized only under certain circumstances. Each case will be considered pastorally on its own merits. The parties to be married must be practicing Episcopalians at the time of the marriage or be in the process of becoming so. A meeting with the Provost is required before any arrangements may be made. The permission of the diocesan Bishop is necessary for all such marriages and can only be obtained on the recommendation of the Provost. Parties to the marriage must sign a Declaration of Intention at the time of application.
- WHO MAY PERFORM A MARRIAGE IN THE CATHEDRAL
a. All marriages will normally be carried out by the clergy of the Cathedral staff.
b. Occasionally, a visiting clergy person may be requested. The permission of the Provost is required in such circumstances.
- WHEN TO CONTACT THE CATHEDRAL
a. As soon as possible! Generally, nine months to a year in advance is suggested. Preliminary inquiries, which may be made by telephone, must be followed by a written application in the prescribed form (supplied by the Cathedral office) before said application goes to the Provost for approval.
b. Weddings will be performed in the penitential season of Lent only in extreme emergencies. Advent is also a penitential season though it is of less severity than Lent. Advent weddings are, therefore, discouraged and will not be permitted within one (1) week of Christmas Day. While brides and attendants may carry flowers, no flowers will be used for decorations in the Cathedral itself during the penitential seasons.
- PREMARITAL PREPARATION
a. Premarital preparation is required by Canon Law and also desirable for the parties to the marriage.
b. One day Premarital Workshops are conducted by The Family Consultation Service four times a year in Suffolk, Queens, Nassau and Brooklyn
Please feel free to call the Cathedral Office at 516-746-2955 for additional information about weddings at the Cathedral. |
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