Greek Traditions Community

Did you know that Greek wedding rings are an Orthodox tradition?

1 - 6 of 6 Posts
xmelissaa

xmelissaa

Active member
In the United States and all around the world, a wedding ring signifies an engagement and a future marriage. It's not necessarily a religious symbol, it's more cultural. In the Greek orthodox religion, wedding rings or a tradition that signifies the "exchange of the rings." Most wedding rings will have the partners name and engraved on the inside or the date of the wedding.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jawge
Great question!!

Here are a few helpful articles about getting married in the Greek Orthodox church:

www.greekboston.com

The Greek Wedding Ceremony Breakdown

A play-by-play guide to attending your first Greek Wedding. Learn about the different parts of the Greek wedding ceremony.
www.greekboston.com www.greekboston.com

www.greekboston.com

Tips for Buying the Wedding Rings

While in the US it is common to have two rings, in Greece they usually only purchase the wedding band. Here are some tips for buying the wedding rings.
www.greekboston.com www.greekboston.com
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jawge
What hand do you wear your wedding ring on?
 
xmelissaa said:
In the United States and all around the world, a wedding ring signifies an engagement and a future marriage. It's not necessarily a religious symbol, it's more cultural. In the Greek orthodox religion, wedding rings or a tradition that signifies the "exchange of the rings." Most wedding rings will have the partners name and engraved on the inside or the date of the wedding.
Click to expand...
I like this tradition of engraving the name of the partners in the rings. That's so beautiful!
 
do couples in your families still follow the tradition of switching the wedding ring from the right to the left after the ceremony?
 
I also remember when we were getting ready for our Greek Orthodox wedding, the rings part really confused me at first. We ended up picking something simple but special for the ceremony. If you're still looking and want something beautiful and unique, I’ve seen some really nice engagement rings sydney that mix tradition with modern styles really well.
 
Last edited:
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION AND READ OTHER GREEK INFO:

Greek-American Thanksgiving Traditions

I know Thanksgiving in the United States is coming up, and it isn't a traditionally Greek holiday, it's an American one. Yet I know that Greek-Americans celebrate. I am curious – have Greek-Americans started their own traditions?

Do families mix classic Thanksgiving dishes with Greek flavors, like adding oregano or lemon to the turkey or serving a side of spanakopita or Greek-style potatoes? I’d love to hear if there are any unique ways Greek-American families blend these two cultures during the holiday. Maybe there's a special Greek dessert that gets added to the Thanksgiving spread, or traditional Greek blessings or toasts incorporated at the table?

I’m also curious about any differences between how Greek-American families celebrate Thanksgiving versus Christmas or other Greek holidays. Any tips, traditions, or recipes would be great – I’m hoping to add a little Greek touch to my family’s Thanksgiving this year!

Engagement Traditions in Greece?

I’m curious to learn more about traditional Greek engagement customs. Are there any specific rituals or celebrations that typically happen when a couple gets engaged in Greece?

I’ve heard of the “arravonas,” which I believe is a formal engagement ceremony where both families meet, and sometimes there’s an exchange of rings and blessings. Do people still do that today, or is it more of a past tradition?

Are there certain foods served during an engagement gathering? Do people bring gifts? And is it usually just close family, or a bigger celebration?

I’d love to hear from anyone who’s experienced or witnessed a traditional Greek engagement—whether in Greece or the diaspora. Are there any regional variations? Do any of these customs still carry over into modern times?

Thanks in advance for sharing your stories or family traditions. There are some people in my family who are pretty close to being engaged (fingers crossed!)

Understanding the Greek Concept of Kefi

I’ve been learning about the Greek concept of Kefi—that deep sense of joy, passion, and spirited enthusiasm for life that seems to be at the heart of Greek culture. From what I understand, it’s not just about happiness, but also about embracing the moment, letting go, and fully immersing yourself in celebration, whether it’s through music, dance, food, or even just good conversation.

I’d love to hear from those who have experienced Kefi firsthand! How would you describe it? Are there specific moments, traditions, or activities in Greek culture that bring it out the most? Do you think it’s something you can cultivate, or is it more of a spontaneous feeling?

Playing the tsougrisma game at Easter?

Hey everyone! With Easter coming up, I was thinking about the tsougrisma game we always play with the red eggs after the Resurrection service. You know—the egg cracking battle to see who ends up with the "uncracked champion"?

I’m curious—do you and your family still play it? And do the “rules” vary from house to house? In my family, we get very competitive about it—everyone picks their egg carefully and there's always a big cheer when someone stays undefeated!

I’d love to hear your stories. Do you play at midnight? At lunch the next day? Does your family do something funny or unique with it?

Share your traditions! It’s such a simple thing, but it really makes Easter feel complete for me.

Do Greeks have Christmas trees in their homes?

I’ve been learning about Greek Christmas traditions and noticed how rich and unique they are—like the karavaki (decorated boat) and the singing of kalanda (carols). It’s all so fascinating!

This got me wondering: do Greeks typically have Christmas trees in their homes, like many other countries do? If so, are they decorated in any special way that reflects Greek culture? Or are traditional decorations like the karavaki more common?

I’d also love to know if there are specific ornaments or symbols that hold special meaning during the Greek Christmas season. Also, how long do they keep the trees up if they do have them?
Share and discuss Greek traditions related to Greek weddings, christenings, dance & holidays!

WorldwideGreeks.com is a free online forum community where people can discuss Greek food, travel, traditions, history and mythology.
Join Worldwide Greeks here!

JOIN COMMUNITY FOR FREE

LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT
Back
Top