CHURCH & STATE
Q: Can my partner and I get married in a Greek church if only one of us is Orthodox?
It’s a question I get asked more often than you’d think. Mixed-faith couples or those from different cultural backgrounds are completely standard these days — love doesn’t care about labels, after all. Unfortunately, the Greek Orthodox Church feels differently.
Short answer: όχι (that’s “no”).
Longer answer: Greek Orthodox churches require both parties to be baptised in an Orthodox tradition. It’s not personal — it’s policy! They’re very old-school about it (like, Byzantine old-school). Think of it like a very strict guest list, curated by centuries of canon law. So unless both of you are Orthodox — and your koumbaros is too — the church bells won’t be ringing for your wedding there. Yes, there is some cross-over between Catholic and Greek churches, but it comes down to a case by case (or priest by priest) scenario.
A Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony, or Catholic for that matter — as beautiful and solemn as they are — aren't exactly customisable. Beyond having your names mentioned, there’s no space for personal vows, entrance songs, mixed bridal parties, or storytelling.
And while there’s nothing wrong with tradition, it honestly breaks my heart when couples call me hoping I have some kind of in-road to the local Greek parish, and that I can somehow help them pull off their dream wedding — same-sex, mixed-faith, full of meaning — in a Greek church that simply won’t allow it. The good news? You can honour your Greek roots in a way that’s authentic and true to you — and that’s where I come in.
Your culture, your traditions, your way
Q: What if we use a celebrant and want to christen our children in the Orthodox Church?
Again, no — not off the bat. There are two ways around this one: either have a ceremony conducted by a marriage celebrant with all the personal touches you’re after and have a second religious ceremony at a Greek Orthodox Church (assuming you’re both of the faith), or find a priest who is very understanding very empathetic very compassionate to your plight and just genuinely wants to help a member of their parish.
Q: Can I get an Orthodox priest to come to my venue and conduct a ceremony?
Sigh. Orthodox priests will never leave the confines of a church to conduct a wedding ceremony. Ever. Give a blessing? M a y b e.
Again, it depends on how understanding the priest is of your circumstances, how well he knows your family, and how often he’s seen your face at his church on Sunday. But solemnising a marriage outside the house of God? No chance.
Q: We got married in Australia — will our marriage be recognised in Greece?
This comes up all the time, especially when there’s family in Greece or plans to move, buy property, or update the ol’ family tree.
Sadly — and more often than not — it comes up because the old guard are trying to find ways to spook a couple out of a civil ceremony with a celebrant.
The short answer? Yes — Australian civil marriages can be recognised in Greece, but there may be a process depending on what you’re needing it recognised for. You’ll need to have your marriage certificate officially translated, apostilled, and submitted to the appropriate Greek authorities. The Apostille stamp can be obtained easily with a visit to the Greek Consulate. It’s not automatic, and it definitely doesn’t involve a priest waving it through.
But the rules regarding the Greek Orthodox Church and your state-issued marriage certificate remain the same:
The Greek Government will recognise your marriage.
The Australian Government will recognise your marriage.
The Church will not.
Your culture, your traditions, your way
Q: So what's the solution?
As a marriage celebrant, I can create a ceremony that honours both you and your partner’s cultural roots, while keeping it as personal and modern as you like. I’m always happy to bluff my way through some spoken Italian or Spanish, and I’ve led ceremonies filled with the traditional rituals you’d usually see in Orthodox and Catholic weddings.
My ceremonies are heartfelt in all the right ways — rich with tradition that speaks to Yiayia’s memories and Nonna’s values, while still being fresh, fun, and full of personality. It’s the kind of balance where the elders feel seen, and you still get to have the wedding you actually want.
Q: We love the idea of a celebrant but still want that 'church' vibe.
If you’re dreaming of a traditional setting but want to sidestep the strict rules of Orthodox or Catholic ceremonies, hiring a Uniting Church might be your sweet spot. These venues often have that beautiful, sacred feel — stained glass, pews, high ceilings, all the vibes — without the long list of religious requirements.
You still get that sense of reverence and formality, but with the freedom to include your own vows, cultural rituals, and a whole lot more personality. I’ve held some truly moving and meaningful ceremonies in Uniting Churches— full of old-world charm, minus the canon law.