KNANAYA BETROTHAL SERVICE AT THE CHURCH

 BETROTHAL

 (The celebrant and altar servers enter the Bema. The man and the woman, together with their relatives and friends enter the church through the main door and proceed to the Bema. The man and the woman stand in front of the Bema with two of their paternal uncles near them. The woman stands on the left side of the man).

CEL: Betrothal is a Jewish practice and Biblical tradition, as we see with St. Joseph and Blessed Virgin Mary. When the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary her selection as the mother of the Messiah, they had been betrothed, though not yet married. The Syro-Malabar church, as well as other Eastern Catholics, practice this tradition. Therefore, while it is not a covenant, this promise is a sacramental to express the voluntary desire of the man and woman to marry before the church. Their paternal uncles will bear witness to this. And they will mutually clasp their hands before the holy altar as a symbol of their agreement for the marriage, representing their families. They assure they will work together for the wedding with mutual understanding. This marks the start of a new relationship between both families.

As we gather here to witness this agreement, let us pray that God, who has invited them to a married life for mutual love and to take part in His creation, help them keep their promise. We shall begin this service with our traditional prayer song, honoring the founder of our church, St. Thomas.

(All sing together the Marthomman song)

മാർത്തോമ്മാൻ നന്മയാലൊന്നു തുടങ്ങുന്നു
നന്നായ് വരേണമേയിന്ന്.
ഉത്തമനായ മിശിഹാ തിരുവുള്ളം
ഉണ്മൈയെഴുന്നൾക വേണം.

കാരണമായവരെല്ലാരും കൂടീട്ട്
നന്മവരുത്തിത്തരേണം.
ആലാഹാനായനും അൻപൻ മിശിഹായും
കൂടെ തുണയ്ക്ക ഇവർക്ക്.

Maarthommaan Song (Transliteration)

Maarthommaan nanmayaal-onnu thudangunnu
Nannaay varename-yinnu
Uthamanaaya mishihaa thiru-vullam
Unmaiyezhunnalka venam.

Kaaranamaayavar-ellaarum koodittu
Nanmavaruthi-tharenam
Aalaahaanaayanum anpan mishihaayum
Koode thunaykka ivarkku.

—— If there is Holy Qurbana —–

(Song)
CEL: As our Lord commanded
On the feast of Passover
Let us gather in His holy name
In unity, let us offer this sacrifice.

ALL: Let us be reconciled
And prepare a new altar
With the love of the Lord Jesus
Let us offer this Qurbana.

—– (Or Malayalam Song) ——

കാര്‍മ്മി: അന്നാപെസഹാത്തിരുനാളില്‍,
കര്‍ത്താവരുളിയ കല്പനപോല്‍
തിരുനാമത്തില്‍ ച്ചേര്‍ന്നീടാം,
ഒരുമയോടി ബലിയര്‍പ്പിക്കാം.

സമുഹം: അനുരഞ്ജിതരായ് തീര്‍ന്നീടാം
നവമൊരു പീഠമൊരുക്കീടാം
ഗുരുവിന്‍ സ്നേഹമൊടീയാഗം
തിരുമുമ്പാകെയണച്ചീടാം.

CEL: Annaa pesahaa thirunaalil
Karuthaavaruliya kalpanapol
Thirunaamathil chernneedaam
Orumayodi baliyaruppikkam.

ALL: Anuranjitharaay theernneedaam
Navamoru peeda-morukkeedaam
Guruvinu snehamodeeyaagam
Thirumunbaake-yanacheedaam.

—————

(Sing / Recite)

CEL: Glory to God in the highest.

ALL: Amen.

CEL: Peace and hope to people on earth, always and forever.

ALL: Amen.

CEL: Our Father in heaven,

ALL: Hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth / as it is in heaven. Give us this day the bread we need / and forgive us our debts and sins / as we have forgiven those who offended us. Do not let us fall into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Our Father in heaven, heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Angels and people sing out Your Glory; Holy, holy, holy are You.

SER: Let us pray. Peace be with us.

CEL: O God our Lord, you have created man and woman. We glorify you, for you have united them for the loving union and existence of the human race. Lord, you who have selected our forefather Isaac and his life partner Rabecca, graciously bless these servants (names) who have come here to make the promise to be united in marriage with full freedom of mind and complete joy. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Lord of all, forever.

ALL: Amen.

(Psalm 34: 8-14)

CEL: Taste and see that the Lord is good.
(Qanona) Lord who prepared the way for Isaac to find out the wife, bless these servants who have come for the engagement.

ALL: Happy are those who take refuge in Him.

CEL: Fear the Lord, you his holy ones,
For those who fear him have no want.

ALL: The young lions suffer want and hunger,
But those who seek the Lord / Lack no good things.

CEL: Come, O Children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

ALL: Which of you desires life,
And covets many days to enjoy good?

CEL: Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.

ALL: Depart from evil, and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.

CEL: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

ALL: From eternity and forever, Amen.

CEL: (Qanona) Lord who prepared the way for Isaac to find out the wife, bless these servants who have come for the engage-ment.

SER: Let us pray. Peace be with us.

CEL: Lord, Our God! For all the helps and blessings You have bestowed on us and for which we can never be grateful enough, we offer You never-ending praise and glory in the Church, crowned like a spouse with every goodness and grace. You are the creator and Lord of all, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, forever.

ALL: Amen.

(Opening of the Sanctuary veil. All bow towards the altar).

(Sing or Recite)

ALL: Lord of all, we bow and praise you.
Jesus Christ, we glorify You.
For You give man glorious resurrection
And You are the one who saves his soul.

Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit From eternity and forever. Amen.

ALL: Lord of all, we bow and …

SER: Let us pray. Peace be with us.

———– (Or Malayalam Song) ————–

സർവ്വാധിപനാം കർത്താവേ
നിൻ സ്തുതി ഞങ്ങൾ പാടുന്നു
ഈശോനാഥാ വിനയമൊടെ
നിന്നെ നമിച്ചു പുകഴ്ത്തുന്നു.

മർത്ത്യനു നിത്യ മഹോന്നതമാം
ഉത്ഥാനം നീയരുളുന്നു.
അക്ഷയമവനുടെയാത്മാവി-
ന്നുത്തമരക്ഷയുമേകുന്നു.

ശുശ്രൂഷി: നമുക്കു പ്രാര്‍ത്ഥിക്കാം സമാധാനം നമ്മോടുകൂടെ.

Sarvvaadhipanaam karthaave
Nin-sthuthi njangal padunnu
Eesho-natha vinayamode
Ninne namichu pukazhthunnu.

Marthyanu nithya mahonnathamaam
Uthaanam nee-yarulunnu.
Akshayamavanude-yaathmaavi-
Nnuthama-rakshayumekunnu.

SER: Namukku praarthikkam samaadhaanam nammodukoode.

———————

CEL: My Lord, You are truly the one who raises our bodies. You are the savior of our souls and the preserver of our lives. We are bound always to thank, adore, and glorify You, the Lord of all, forever.

ALL: Amen.

SONG

SER: Brothers and sisters, raise your voices and glorify the living God.

ALL: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

ALL: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us.

From eternity and forever, Amen.

ALL: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us.

SER: Let us pray. Peace be with us.

————– (Or Malayalam Song) ——————

ശബ്ദമുയർത്തി പാടിടുവിൻ
സർവ്വരുമൊന്നായി പാടിടുവിൻ
എന്നെന്നും ജീവിക്കും
സർവ്വേശ്വരനെ വാഴ്ത്തിടുവിൻ.

പരിപാവനനാം സർവ്വേശാ
പരിപാവനനാം ബലവാനേ
പരിപാവനനാം അമർത്യനേ
കാരുണ്യം നീ ചൊരിയണമേ.

ശുശ്രൂഷി: നമുക്കു പ്രാർത്ഥിക്കാം, സമാധാനം നമ്മോടുകൂടെ.

Sabdamuyarthi padiduvin
Sarvvaru-monnaayi paadiduvin
Ennennum jeevikkum
Sarvveshvarane vaazhthiduvin.

Paripaavananaam sarvveshaa
Paripaavananaam balavaane
Paripaavananaam amarthyane
Kaarunyam nee choriyaname.

SER: Namukku praarthikkam, samaadhaanam nammodukoode.

——————

CEL: Glorious, Mighty, Immortal, and Holy God! You who are pleased to dwell in the holy ones! We beseech You! Look upon us, pardon us, / and show us compassion according to Your nature. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Lord of all, forever.

ALL: Amen.

SER: Brothers and sisters, please be seated and listen attentively.

——- Optional ——-

READING FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

(Lector stands at the reading stand on the left side of the celebrant)

LECTOR: A reading from the book of Tobit. (Tobit 4: 12-13)
(Bows to the celebrant for blessing)

LECTOR: Bless me, my Lord.

CEL: May God + bless you.

(The reader reads facing the congregation).

(When the reading is over).

ALL: Praise be to the Lord, our God.

——————-

CEL: Lord our God, illumine our hearts and minds to hear and understand the sweet voice of Your life-giving and divine commandments. In Your mercy and grace grant that they bear in us the fruits of love, hope, and salvation beneficial to our body and soul and that we may constantly praise You. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Lord of all, forever.

ALL: Amen.

READING FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

READER: A reading from the book of Hebrews. (Hebrews 8:7-10)
(Bows to the celebrant for blessing)

READER: Bless me, my Lord.

CEL: May the Lord + bless you.

(Reader reads facing the congregation).

(At the end of the reading).

ALL: Praise be to Christ, our Lord.

(HYMN OF ALLELUIA)

Alleluia, sing Alleluia, Alleluia Alleluia
My heart is stirred by a noble theme

As I sing my ode to the king,
My tongue is the pen of a nimble scribe.

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning / Let it be forever, Amen.

Alleluia, sing Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

—— (Or Malayalam Song) ——

ഹല്ലേലൂയ്യാ ഗീതം

ഹല്ലേലൂയ്യ പാടീടുന്നേൻ, ഹല്ലേലൂയ്യാ ഹല്ലേലൂയ്യാ
നല്ലൊരാശയമെൻ മനതാരിൽ, വന്നു നിറഞ്ഞു തുളുമ്പീടുന്നു.

രാജാവിൻ തിരുമുൻപിൽ കീർത്തന, മധുവായി ഞാനതൊഴുക്കീടട്ടെ
ഏറ്റമനുഗ്രഹ പൂരിതനാം കവി, തൻ തൂലികപോലെൻ നാവിപ്പോൾ.

താതനുമതുപോൽ സുതനും, പരിശുദ്ധാത്മാവിന്നും സ്തുതിയുയരട്ടെ.
ആദി മുതൽക്കേയിന്നും നിത്യവുമായി ഭവിച്ചീടട്ടെ, ആമ്മേൻ.

ഹല്ലേലൂയ്യ പാടീടുന്നേൻ, ഹല്ലേലൂയ്യാ ഹല്ലേലൂയ്യാ.

Hallelooyya paateedunnen, hallelooyyaa hallelooyyaa
Nallorashaya-men manathaaril, vannu niranju thulumbeedunnu.

Rajavin thiru-munpil keerthana, madhuvaayi njan-athozhukkeetatte
Ettamanugraha poorithanaam kavi, than thoolikapolen naavippol.

Thaathanumathupol suthanum, parisuddhaathmaavinnum sthuthiyuyaratte.
Aadi muthalkke-yinnum nithyavu-maayi bhavicheetatte, aammen.

Hallelooyya paateedunnen, hallelooyyaa hallelooyyaa.

—————-

(The celebrant takes the Gospel and goes to the Bema in procession, accompanied by two bearers of candles and incense).

SER: (At the end of the pre-gospel hymn) Let us stand and listen attentively to the Holy Gospel.

Two servers hold lit candles on both sides.

CEL: Peace (+) be with you. (+ Blesses using the Bible).

ALL: With you and with your spirit.

CEL: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, proclaimed by St. John / Mathew.

ALL: Glory to You Christ, Our Lord.

(The celebrant reads from John 15:9-12 or Mathew 6:25-33)

(At the end of the reading)

ALL: Glory to You Christ, our Lord.

HOMILY

KAROZUTHA

(If there is Qurbana, bread and wine may be prepared at this time).

SER: Let us all with joy and devotion pray for these servants who present themselves before you, saying “Lord, have mercy on these servants.”

 ALL: Lord, have mercy on these servants.
(Repeat after the following prayers).

SER: Bless these servants and bestow your grace upon them to enter into the holy sacrament of matrimony according to their promise. We beseech you.

 SER: Bless these servants to prepare themselves for a married life based on Christian virtues and with a pure heart. We beseech you.

 SER: May these servants enter into married life, being conscious of the obligations of the Christian family. We beseech you.

 SER: Lord, prepare these servants to acknowledge that the sacrament of marriage is a covenant between God and the spouses and a relation lasting unto death. We beseech you.

 SER: Let us commend ourselves and one another to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

ALL: Lord, Our God, we commend ourselves to you.

CEL: O God our Lord, have mercy on these servants who have come before your presence for the celebration of betrothal. Bless them graciously to fulfill their promise and to lead a life pleasing to You. Keep them and their families united in love. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Lord of all, forever.

ALL: Amen.

MARRIAGE PROMISE

 (Paternal uncles of bride and groom stand near them as witnesses).

CEL: You are aware that the promise of marriage may be done only with right knowledge and full consent. The Holy Church gives you an occasion to declare publicly your promise to get married.

The celebrant calling the man by his name asks:

(Name of the man) Do you promise to accept (Name_of the woman) as your wife according to the law of Christ and according to the teachings of the Holy Church?

MAN: Yes. I promise.

The celebrant calling the woman by her name asks:

(Name of the woman) Do you promise to accept (Name of the man) as your husband according to the law of Christ and according to the teachings of the Holy Church?

WOMAN: Yes. I promise.

The celebrant asks the witnesses:

CEL: Do you bear witness to this promise of marriage?

WITNESSES: Yes.

BLESSING OF RING (IF ANY)

CEL: O Lord, Our God, bless + this ring, which these young people exchange as a symbol of their mutual promise for a married life in love and fidelity. In the name of the Father and of the Son (+), and of the Holy Spirit. (Sprinkles the ring with holy water.)

CON: Amen.

(The groom adorns the bride’s finger with the ring.)

 CEL: (To the uncles) As a sign of this marriage promise, clasp your right hands together.

(While they do so, the celebrant blesses them).

CEL: God, who makes the contract with his people, who keeps his covenant, and who helps to keep it, please confirm the promise that your servants have made here. Bless your servants ….. (names of the groom and bride), the uncles and their families to fulfill the marriage promise just made. May your love and protection be upon them and upon this congregation.
(Sprinkles Holy Water)

ALL: Amen

(If there is Holy Qurbana, it continues from offertory onwards in the Syro-Malabar Rite).

CONCLUDING PRAYERS

CEL: Christ the Lord, who accepted the church as a pure bride, extend Your merciful right hand upon these betrothed servants. May the prayers of our mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mar Joseph, the head of the Holy Family, and our father, Mar Thomas the Apostle, help the couple fulfill their promise. May the intercession of the saints, especially the saints and blessed of our Church, protect and help them. Lord of all forever.

 ALL: Amen.

 FINAL BLESSING (Huttama)

CEL: May God, by His Word strengthen the promise of marriage that you have made in His providence. Let Him confirm it by the commandment of love and perfect it by His mercy. May God, who has united Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel, seal your promise in faith, truth, love, and unity of heart. May God strengthen you to receive the sacrament of matrimony with intense prayer and spiritual preparation. May God abundantly bless you, your parents who brought you up in love, your family members and all those who took part in this holy ceremony, now, and always + and forever.

ALL: Amen.