Cyprus, Nicosia

The Holy Synod of the Cyprus Orthodox Church has permitted wedding ceremonies during Christmas

16.01.2024 / 16:48

The Holy Synod of the Cyprus Orthodox Church has decided to perform wedding ceremonies during Christmas in 2024.

According to the statement from the Archbishopric, the Holy Synod of the Cyprus Church convened for an extraordinary meeting chaired by Archbishop Chrysostomos II on Monday, January 15.

According to one of the decisions made, in 2024, the Church has allowed couples to get married during the first half of the Christmas fasting period. The sacrament can be performed from November 15 to December 12, 2024.

Speaking on the show "Protoselido," theologian Theodoros Kyriakou noted that the pandemic has put significant pressure on wedding planning – many couples have refrained from the wedding ceremony in the church due to COVID restrictions.

Due to the large number of applications received, the Holy Synod has accommodated newlyweds, despite the fact that, according to church canons, Orthodox priests do not perform wedding ceremonies during fasting periods.