Page 43 - thesis_biby_tharayil

33

marriage, before proceeding to the church for the formal celebration of the
sacrament of marriage, all get ready and gather in the respective pandal,
where the lighted lamp is placed, signifying the presence of Christ.
Bride/groom comes to the pandal as it is time to thank God for his special
blessings upon the family and to pray for continuous blessings upon the new
family. After a short prayer, the bride/groom salutes the parents (one after
52
another) with “folded hands”, saying “praise be to Jesus Christ”. The
parents respond with “always be praised” and bless the bride/groom. In the
same manner, the couple greet each one of their elderly close relatives, and
53
each of them blesses the bride/groom. Among the invited, the teachers
(Guru - the one who initiated them into literacy) of the bride/groom are
54
given places of honor and the bride/groom receives blessings from them.

The departure of the bride from her dear ones and the parental family
is a very touching moment. Feeling one with her, the parents and relatives
often shed tears at this moment; but they are joyful at the same time, as they
are sending her to receive the blessing of God. This reminds one, of the
scene of Sara receiving a blessing from her father before being sent to meet
55
Abram, the man for her (Gen. 2, 60). In the same manner, the departure of
the bridegroom reminds one of the commandment of God: “Therefore a man
leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one
flesh” (Gen. 2, 24). Thus, with the blessing of all, the wedding party moves
to the church.

52
Gesture of folded hands: it is a way of greeting in India. During the time of prayers also
they fold both hands together. It signifies the meeting of God in man: ‘I recognize the God
in you’. Cf. M. KOIKARA, The Sacredness of Marriage and Family in the Cultural Milieu
of St. Thomas Christians, Academia Alfonsiana, Rome, 1988, p. 35.
53
Cf. Ibid., p. 35.
54 This blessing of the teacher, (called in the local language Guru or Asan), is a particularly
significant and touching item of this morning. Asan is the one, Hindu or Christian, who
initiated the couple to the alphabet. When this man stands facing the west, the groom or the
bride, as the case may be, gives him cloth, money and some other presents and bows before
him. He in his turn places his right hand over his or her head and with eyes closed prays for
his or her good future and blesses him or her. Thus Hindu teachers could be seen imparting
blessing to Christian children. Here it must be noted that in the cultural milieu of India
teachers hold an important place.
55 Cf. VELLIAN, J., “Marriage Customs of the Kinanites”, in J. VELLIAN (ed.), Crown,
Veil, Cross, Syrian Church Series Vol. XV, Kottayam, 1990, p. 35.

www.knanayology.org