Are you the Koumbaros or Koumbara?
Being asked to be the Koumbaros or Koumbara is a great honor in the Greek Orthodox faith. The Koumbaros(a) is the person who exchanges the crowns three times above the heads of the wedding couple during the ceremony. He/She is required to be a member in good standing with a Greek Orthodox Church and is also responsible for providing the following items for the special day.
- Stefana (wedding crowns)
- Two Lambades (specially decorated candles)
- Wedding tray decorated with rice and koufeta
- Gratuities to the Priest, Canter and Sexton
In most cases, the koumbaros(a) also provides the wedding favors (bonbonierres).
Click here for a listing of the specialty stores that provide the above services (except the gratuities, of course)!
- Is it necessary for the “koumbaros(a)” to be Greek?
No, it is not necessary for the koumbaroi to be Greek. However, they have to belong to the Christian Orthodox faith. Tradition has it that the koumbaroi also baptize the first born child, so being a spiritual parent of the child they must be of the Christian Orthodox faith.
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