NOTE

Information for Orthodox wedding ceremonies in the church

All documents must be translated ONLY by Greek authorities, such as a Greek Consulate or Embassy (in your city or country) or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens. An independent translator with notary stamp WILL NOT BE accepted by the church.

Orthodox Wedding Document

Orthodox Ceremony, most of the Greek Orthodox ceremonies are performed inside the church. The best way to enjoy an Orthodox wedding is to choose a church that is on the cliff site of Santorini, so you can take sunset pictures after the ceremony.
Depending on the priest we may be able to arrange for the ceremony to be performed outdoors!
One of you must be Orthodox and baptize in an Orthodox Church and the other baptized in the Christian faith. The ceremony is performed in Ancient Greek onlyand it last about 45 minutes. 

Requirements

All documents must be translated ONLY by Greek authorities, such as a Greek Consulate or Embassy (in your city or country) or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens. An independent translator with notary stamp WILL NOT BE accepted by the church.

* All translators should be approved by the Greek Consulate or Embassy

From the Greek Orthodox Church, a certificate giving consent and the freedom to marry (Otherwise known as the Letter of Celibacy – AGAMIAS).

• This document must be obtained in Greek and signed & stamped from the priest of your parish thus there should be no need for translation.
• Validation of this document of its authenticity of the priests’ signature MUST be obtained from the Bishop of the local church.

Baptismal Certificates from the Bride and Groom

• This document must be obtained in Greek and should be signed & stamped from the priest of your parish thus there should be no need for translation.
• Validation of this document for the authenticity of the priests’ signature MUST be obtained from the Bishop of the local church.

Divorce certificate/decree (if applicable)

• Certificate from the judge required AND from the Church if you had a previous Orthodox wedding.
• The divorce decree must be translated to Greek. Translation in Greek is only required for the page(s) that carry the court decision and not for the whole divorce settlement. (Valid only if translated by a Greek Consulate/Embassy or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens).

You will both have to sign a paper in a notary office that your children will become Orthodox (Certificate of Faith)

Document must be in Greek. (Valid only if translated by a Greek Consulate/Embassy or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens).

This document can also be submitted here in Santorini upon your arrival. Cost = 70euro

Single status letter/Letter of No Impediment (from your local registrar’s office/town hall) for each of you or marriage license.

• The letters or marriage license requires translation to Greek (Valid only if translated by a Greek Consulate/Embassy or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens).

IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• The Greek Authorities require that ALL Documents requested above (except Divorce decree) must be issued NO more than 3 months prior to the wedding date.
• All Documents MUST be email to us at least 60 days prior to your arrival.
• All Documents MUST be email to us at least 60 days prior to your arrival. Please email all documents in English (or original language).
• At that time we will review the emailed papers with the priest in order to assess whether or not all documents are in order.
• Upon confirmation from the priest that all documents are in order, then you will need to courier/FedEx all original documents (in English & Greek) to us in Santorini:

* All translators should be approved by the Greek Consulate or Embassy