DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4593#0211
THE SHRINES OF ATTICA 189
three, the threefold blessing of groom and bride, the
threefold blessing of the ring and wreath, the three
pieces of bread and the three spoonfuls of wine, the
three times passing round the table, were all reverent
introductions of the Trinitarian formula; but the
bridal torches, the crowns of flowers, the shower of
candies, and the dance round the table, to which I
have before referred in the chapter on the Greek
theatre, are all survivals of old Greek customs. The
conjunctions of history are curious enough, and
among them it seems passing strange that an ancient
Greek dance subdued into a walk should have im-
perceptibly glided into the Christian ritual and be-
come with priestly participation a festive but reverent
ascription to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
In the country villages weddings are celebrated
with something more of rustic cheer and conviviality.
In ancient days the wedding customs in Sparta dif-
fered much from those in Attica, and I do not know
how general are some of the following village cus-
toms described by my Spartan friend. Two days
before the marriage the groom, with parents, relatives
and friends, goes to the house of the bride, where
all are received with the firing of pistols and with
abundance of wine and sweetmeats. The dowry is
paid over to the groom, and on the following Sunday
the marriage is celebrated, usually at the house of the
bride. When the ceremony takes place in church
the bride is conducted by her brother or by the best
man, and the service is concluded by the priest, the
best man, the husband and wife forming a circle,
when the shower of candies begins. In the con-
gratulations which follow, it is common to kiss the
three, the threefold blessing of groom and bride, the
threefold blessing of the ring and wreath, the three
pieces of bread and the three spoonfuls of wine, the
three times passing round the table, were all reverent
introductions of the Trinitarian formula; but the
bridal torches, the crowns of flowers, the shower of
candies, and the dance round the table, to which I
have before referred in the chapter on the Greek
theatre, are all survivals of old Greek customs. The
conjunctions of history are curious enough, and
among them it seems passing strange that an ancient
Greek dance subdued into a walk should have im-
perceptibly glided into the Christian ritual and be-
come with priestly participation a festive but reverent
ascription to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
In the country villages weddings are celebrated
with something more of rustic cheer and conviviality.
In ancient days the wedding customs in Sparta dif-
fered much from those in Attica, and I do not know
how general are some of the following village cus-
toms described by my Spartan friend. Two days
before the marriage the groom, with parents, relatives
and friends, goes to the house of the bride, where
all are received with the firing of pistols and with
abundance of wine and sweetmeats. The dowry is
paid over to the groom, and on the following Sunday
the marriage is celebrated, usually at the house of the
bride. When the ceremony takes place in church
the bride is conducted by her brother or by the best
man, and the service is concluded by the priest, the
best man, the husband and wife forming a circle,
when the shower of candies begins. In the con-
gratulations which follow, it is common to kiss the