Marriage Preparation in the Byzantine Catholic Tradition
Entering the Sacrament: More Than a Celebration

Marriage, or the Holy Mystery of Crowning, is one of the greatest blessings of our Church and a true sacrament. In the Byzantine tradition, a man and woman are united and crowned by Christ through the Church, their life together blessed and sanctified.

Our Eparchial Marriage Preparation Course welcomes couples entering this sacred covenant and helps them understand and live the mystery of Christian marriage, as Christ intended:

“God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.”
(1 John 4:16)

What to Expect from the Course

Held over two Saturdays, February 21 & March 21, 2026, at St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, this course offers engaged couples a unique opportunity to:

• Gain Insight into the Sacrament: Learn how marriage, instituted by God and blessed at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11), is a public profession of lifelong love, fidelity, and faith.
• Participate in Community: Connect with other couples who are beginning the same journey; share questions, hopes, and experiences.
• Understand Rituals & Symbols: Delve into the meaning of the rich wedding rituals, blessing and exchange of rings (unity and complementarity), the embroidered towels (shared journey and life’s tapestry), holding candles (spiritual readiness to welcome Christ), the crowning (sacrificial love and becoming king and queen of a new domestic church), the common cup (sharing life’s joy and sorrow), and the ceremonial walk (guided by the Gospel and the Cross).
• Reflect on the Spiritual Dealings of Family Life: Explore Christian virtues needed for a lasting union.

“Clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:14)

• Study the Bible’s Wisdom on Marriage:

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

“Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25)

“Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” (Colossians 3:18)

• Discuss Realities: Joys and Sacrifices: Marriage is a call to service, patience, forgiveness, and self-sacrifice, like the martyrs whose crowns symbolize the high calling of love that “does not insist on its own way” (1 Corinthians 13).

The Value of Starting with God

When couples begin their lives together with faith, they receive not only the Church’s blessing but also Christ’s presence for the years ahead. The course prepares you not just for a beautiful wedding day, but for the challenges and joys of marriage itself, learning how to pray together, communicate with understanding, forgive, and continually invite Christ into the heart of your family.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)

Course Details & Registration

Dates: Saturday, February 21 & Saturday, March 21, 2026
Location: St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, Edmonton
Register by: February 13, 2026

How to Register:

• To enroll in the Eparchial Marriage Preparation Course, please download the registration form, complete it with your and your spouse’s details, and submit it to the Cathedral Office.
• Download the official registration form from our website or request it directly from the Cathedral Office.
• After filling in all information, you may:

Email the completed form to fr.nakonechny@eeparchy.com
Or bring it with you to the Cathedral Office in person
For questions or help, call: (780) 422-3181

Begin Your Journey in Faith

Our Eparchial Marriage Preparation Course is a gift, an invitation to explore the depth and meaning of your future life together. May your family be a true domestic church, grounded in God’s wisdom, love, and blessing.

“Love never ends.” (1 Corinthians 13:8)