This is a depiction of a Greek Orthodox Wedding. There are four white wooden sides to the cube, with the front and top left open for viewing purposes. In the back of the box, there is a wooden reconstruction of the inside of a church. This includes depictions of Mary and Jesus to either side in arches with hanging incense burners to either side. There are white pillars with golden tops around the pictures. In the middle, a triangle of wood juts out like a roof and is supported by white pillars with golden tops. At the top of the triangle, there is a golden cross. Under the roof, the priest stands. He has brown hair and beard. He is wearing a white shawl-like cloth that is trimmed in gold, along with a long golden striped skirt with two stips of white cloth dangling in front with golden crosses at the bottom and golden trim. Behind him, there is a rounded enclave with a depiction of Mary in a blue robe holding a baby Jesus. The floor is covered in white tiles, except for an area under the priest, which has two blue tiles. The priest's area is slightly raised above the rest of the floor, which has a red carpet going down the middle. In front of the priest on the red carpet, there is a table with one stand that branches into four at the bottom. On the table, there are two candles in golden stands, a silver platter with small white ovals on it, a golden bible with a big cross on the cover, a golden chalice, and another golden stub that has glue on it and appears to have broken off. In front of the table are the bride and groom. The bride is wearing a white wedding dress that flows out at the waist. She is also wearing a veil and holding a bouquet of flowers. The groom is wearing a black tuxedo. Both have a silver crown on their heads that is connected to the other by a white ribbon. On the bride's side of the box, there are four women wearing pink with white lace at the bottom of their dresses. On the groom's side, there are four men wearing tuxedos with black and grey striped vests and black bowties.

This Greek Orthodox Wedding scene was a part of a children's exhibit at the Field Museum in 1994.

During the ceremony the bride and groom have stefana, or thin crowns, placed on their heads. These two crowns are connected by a white ribbon and were blessed by the priest before the ceremony. The symbolism of the crowns is the glory that God is placing on them as a newly married couple within His church, and the white ribbon is a symbol of the couple’s newfound unity. As with the rings, the koumbaro will exchange the crowns back and forth between the couple’s heads three times.

The ceremony starts as the Bride and Groom are each handed the white candles to symbolize their willingness to accept Christ into their lives. These candles are to be provided by the The Koumbaro who is like a "best man." Traditionally, the koumbaros was the groom's godfather. In traditional Greek weddings, the koumbaro's role is highly symbolic, and his duties are many.

The content on this site is made available for research and education purposes only. The use of these materials may be restricted by law or the donor.

Any other use, such as exhibition, publication, or commercial use, is not allowed except by written permission in accordance with the NHM Image Rights and Reproduction Policy.

For questions on image rights and reproduction, please contact nhmcollections@hellenicmuseum.org