The service continues with the Epistle reading (Ephesians 5:20-33) and the Gospel readings (St. John 2:1-11). The Epistle declares thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and continues with the model of Christ as head of the Church being applied to the groom and bride in marriage.

The Gospel reading describes the wedding at Cana of Galilee, which was attended and blessed by Christ and for which He reserved His first miracle. There He converted the water into wine and presented it to the newlyweds. In remembrance of this blessing, wine is given to the couple. This is the common cup of life, which the couple share for the first time at their wedding ceremony. It denotes the mutual sharing of joy and sorrow from that day henceforth, the token of a life of harmony. The drinking of wine from the common cup serves to impress upon the couple that from that moment on they will share everything in life, joys as well as sorrows, and that they are to bear on anothers burdens. Their joys will be doubled and their sorrows halved because they will be shared.

Provided by Mr. and Mrs. Spyridon Meares.