The part of the wedding sacrament called Isaiah's Dance is shown in this photo taken during the wedding of Maria Samaras and James Raptis, November 22, 1986.

STEPHANA

The placing of the wedding crowns (stephana) by the koumbaros is shown effectively in this photo. It was the wedding of Theodosia Sakis and Argirios Ragias in
Columbus, Ohio, on June 25, 1978. A custom that goes back hundreds of years, the crowns are joined by a white ribbon. These crowns remain on their heads throughout the ceremony and signify unity.

Many couples preserve their crowns in special boxes and display them on the family altar at home.

Fr. Sarris shows his skill as a folk dancer as he leads a line dance at the 1965 wedding of Anna Kehagias and George Sauter.

BAPTISM

Just as the Infant Jesus was taken to the temple to be blessed on the fortieth day of his life, Greek parents also have their babies blessed forty days after their birth. The sacrament of baptism is nearly always done with infants in their first or second year of life. Bap- tism may take place at a later date in life, but is much less common. The sponsors pledge to see that the child is raised in Christian nurture, should the parents not be able to do so. Orthodoxy practices total immersion, and the new child in Christ is then fully clothed in a complete set of white garments showing the purity of the new life.

Fr. Sarris blesses the infant with oil be fore immersion into the baptismal font as the godparents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Kon-
tomerkos, participate. The baptismal name: Philip Michael
Nicholas Collis