The Ceremony

Although Kasia and Darek wished to have a Polish Orthodox ceremony, there is no Polish Orthodox church in the Tampa area. They did find a Russian Orthodox church, which is, says Kasia, almost the same. The nuptials began out in front of the church, where the priest directs the bride and groom to exchange their rings three times. Inside, male relatives held crowns over their heads for much of the ceremony. When the couple became husband and wife, they led the priest around the icon of Christ three times, bowing each time, to show their joy and appreciation. As Kasia and Darek left the church, they were showered with coins, which they collected from the ground, following the tradition to mark the way to luck and prosperity.