Quick Answer
What is arrabonas?
Arrabonas is the Service of Betrothal — the formal first half of a Greek Orthodox wedding, held immediately before the Service of Crowning in the same ceremony. The priest blesses the couple's rings and the koumbaros or koumbara exchanges them between the bride and groom's hands three times.
Last updated:
Last updated:
What is arrabonas?
Also called: Service of Betrothal, ring blessing, arrabon.
Unlike a Western engagement, arrabonas is not a separate event held months earlier — it is the opening liturgical act of the wedding ceremony itself, flowing directly into the Service of Crowning without a break. Guests unfamiliar with the Orthodox rite are often surprised the "ring exchange" and the "crowning" happen back-to-back in one continuous service.
What happens during arrabonas
- •The priest blesses the rings at the altar and places them on the right hand of the bride and groom.
- •The koumbaros or koumbara then switches the rings back and forth between the couple three times, symbolizing that each partner completes the other.
- •Arrabonas leads directly into the Service of Crowning (stefana) — there is no gap or separate scheduling; it is one continuous ceremony.
Planning notes
- •Confirm the full ceremony length with your priest — arrabonas plus crowning together often runs 45–60 minutes, longer than many guests expect from a "wedding ceremony."
- •The rings used here are typically plain wedding bands, distinct from any engagement ring given earlier.
- •If many of your guests are unfamiliar with Orthodox services, a short printed program explaining arrabonas and the crowning helps them follow along.
Help guests know what to expect
Send a short ceremony-format explainer to guests ahead of time using Weddingkart's guest management tools, especially helpful for those unfamiliar with an Orthodox service.
See guest management →Frequently Asked Questions
Is arrabonas the same as getting engaged?
No — arrabonas is the formal Service of Betrothal held as the opening part of the wedding ceremony itself, not a separate engagement event held months before.
How long does arrabonas plus the crowning take together?
The combined service commonly runs 45–60 minutes, depending on the parish and how much is chanted versus read.
Who exchanges the rings during arrabonas?
The koumbaros or koumbara switches the rings between the bride and groom's hands three times, after the priest has blessed them.
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By Mayank JaiswalLast updated