The Greek population is composed of 97% Christian Orthodox (with the remaining 3% comprising of Roman Catholic, Muslims and Jews). Accoring to the history of Orthodoxy it was St Paul who first came to the Greek world to preach Christianity in 49AD. But the real founder of Orthodoxy was Emperor Constantine the Great, who converted to Christianity in the 4th century. Officially and as in all European countries the Greek State and the Orthodox Church are separate, however the Greek Orthodox Church has great power in Greek society.

Baptism
Children of Orthodox families are normally baptized shortly after birth. Orthodoxy sees baptism as more than a mere washing but a rebirth. Baptism is by full immersion because the word "baptizo" means - to immerse. During the service the water is blessed and the infant fully immersed in the water three times in the name of the Holy Trinity. According to the Holy Tradition of the Orthodox Church ONE name of Orthodox Christian origin should be given to the child at the time of baptism. The child is anointed with olive oil and then dressed in the new clothes especially purchased for this occasion alone. Four locks of hair are cut from the child’s head in the sign of the cross. The role of the God parents is an important one, since the infant is unable to make the necessary confession of Faith, the Godparents stand and accept the responsibility.

Marriage
Within the Orthodox Church marriage is seen as an act of God in which he sanctifies the joining of two people into one. Marriage in the Orthodox Church has two distinct parts: The Betrothal and The Crowning.

The Betrothal includes: The exchange of the rings, the procession, the declaration of intent, and the lighting of candles. The priest blesses the rings, holds them in his right hand, and makes the sign of the cross over the Bride and Grooms heads. The exchange of rings symbolizes the unbreakable bond of Christian Marriage and the rings are placed on their right hands, for it is the right hand of God that blesses and it was the right hand of God to which Christ ascended.

The Crowning includes: The readings from the epistle and gospel, the Blessing of the Common Cup, the Dance of Isaiah, and then the Removal of the Crowns. The focal point of the crowning ceremony is the exchanging of the wedding crowns (stefana) which are joined by a ribbon symbolizing the unity of the couple and the presence of Christ who blesses and joins the couple and establishes them as the King and Queen of their home. The priest takes the two crowns and blesses The Bride and The Groom, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit and then places the crowns on their heads. The Koumbaro (best man) then steps behind the Bride and Groom and interchanges the crowns three times as a witness to the sealing of the union. Wine is then drunk by the couple from the Common Cup which serves to impress upon the couple that from that moment on they will share everything in life. Whilst three hymns are chanted the priest leads the Bride and the Groom in a circle around the table (the Dance of Isaiah) on which the Gospel and the Cross are placed. The circle symbolizes eternity and the triple circling honours the Holy Spirit. At the conclusion of the Ceremonial Walk, the priest removes the crowns thus ending the marriage ceremony.
There is no exchange of vows. There is a set expectation of the obligations incumbent on a married couple, and whatever promises they may have privately to each other are their responsibility to keep. Finally there is the greeting of the couple. Divorce is rare in the Orthodox Church.

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