[Crowning in Syro-Malabar Nasrani Wedding by Mar Gregory Karotemprel]

Crowning during Holy Matrimony in the Syro-Malabar Church. Main celebrant is bishop Mar Gregory Karotemprel.

Crowning is a symbolic marriage custom in a number Eastern Christian traditions, including in the Syriac churches. In a Syriac wedding liturgy, the couple are crowned by the priest, representing their share in Christ’s kingship and victory over evil, sin, and death. Additionally, the crowns also symbolize giving up of one’s life, even to martyrdom. According to biblical tradition, the earliest Christian martyr was St. Stephen (whose name in Greek means “crown”). From Stephen onward, crowns have been a symbol for martyrs in both art and text. This photograph depicts the crowning ceremony according to the rite of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. The Syro-Malabar church preserves the liturgical heritage of the East Syriac tradition in an Indian context while also being in full communion with the Roman Catholic church.