Baptism & Marriage Sacraments
You will find all necessary information regarding baptism and weddings on this page. For more information, get in touch with us by clicking on the email icons of each section.
Sacrament of Baptism
Those wishing to have their children Baptised here in Agia Kyriaki are welcome.
However if you are visiting, the parents must bring a letter from their home Parish Priest that gives permission for the baptism to take place outside the home Parish and that he has prepared the parents and god parents for the baptism. Without this we are unable to do a baptism.
Here’s an example of a suggested letter format:
Parish Letterhead and address
I, Fr……………. hereby give my permission for the Baptism of ………………….. to take place outside the Parish.
I have prepared the couple for the baptism of their child.
Signed (Parish Priest) Parish Stamp/Seal
To book Baptism, contact us via email ->
Sacrament of Wedding
Roman Catholic weddings must be in a church or chapel. We have a number of these in our parish which includes Paphos, Pissouri and Polis and their surrounding areas.
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Our Parish Church is Agia Kyriaki, The main place for weddings.
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On Mondays and Tuesdays we use St. George’s Chapel, Chloraka.
There are also Chapels at a number of the Hotels such as:
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The Elysium Hotel Paphos;
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Kefalos Hotel Paphos;
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Aphrodite Hills Intercontinental Hotel.
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In the Polis area there is a chapel at the Anassa Hotel, Latchi
Important things Couples need to note
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If a couple wish to get married here they must first see their Parish Priest in their home parish. at least 6 months prior to any marriage, He will say if a marriage is possible.
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Then phone our wedding coordinator to PENCIL in a date for the wedding here.
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Your Priest will fill in a Pre-nuptial enquiry form and will collect all the papers and apply for the dispensations he needs for your wedding,
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The Diocese of Jerusalem, in common with most diocese, requires that you do a pre marriage course and that the Priest includes a letter or certificate that you have done such a course in the marriage papers.
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Once completed the Priest sends these documents to his diocesan bishop asking for the wedding to be celebrated outside his diocese here at St. Pauls, Paphos, Cyprus. if the bishop agrees the forms are sent to Fr. Ismael Quequesana, IVE, here in Cyprus (Fr. Ismael Quequesana, IVE – Parish Priest, Agias Galatianis, B2, 8040 Paphos – Cyprus), who will forward all the documents to the Bishop who then gives us permission to go ahead with the marriage.
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Only then can we confirm the booking
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The papers need to be at the home diocese at least 4 months prior to the wedding, so should arrive here in Cyprus some 3 months before the wedding.
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Wedding services here follow the Roman Catholic Rite of Marriage outside of the Mass. (Please note if using UK version, the wording here is different and is that of the Roman Ritual).
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Readings must come only from the lectionary (3), the section ‘Marriage’. Not from the internet.
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Music. In Agia Kyriaki only organ music may be used. In other venues we have to use CD’s but these must be of Church music only.
Visiting Priests
If you have a Priest coming with you whilst very welcome, please inform us well beforehand and remind him he needs to produce a ‘Celebret’ from his Diocese in order to take part in the service. We need a copy of his celebret at least 4 weeks prior to the wedding, Fax or scanned.
Summary
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See your home Parish Priest at least 6 months prior to any wedding to get his agreement to a wedding.
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Phone us to pencil in a proposed date for wedding
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Complete all paper work and pre marriage course
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Your home Parish Priest to send papers to home Diocesan Chancellor
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Diocese to send to our Vicar General at least 4 months before wedding
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Our Vicar General gives us permission to do wedding.
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Only then do we confirm booking!
Wedding Service
(Following Roman Ritual for Marriage outside Mass)
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Music while people assemble to be appropriate for a church. e.g. Panis Angelicus, Ave Maria, Bach, etc.
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The Brides Entrance. Music (Wedding March Toccata & Fugue etc)
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Welcome and Introduction by the Priest.
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Opening prayer
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1st reading must be from Scripture (From Lectionary section on Marriage)
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Psalm said or sung (Appropriate Hymn can be used)
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2nd Reading (Optional).
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Alleluia verse Said or sung.
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Gospel. Priest must read this no one else.
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Marriage rite (From Roman Ritual only, not UK version) Includes Blessing and giving of Rings
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Bidding Prayers
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Nuptial blessing
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Our Father said.
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(If couple both Catholics Communion may be offered and music played)
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Final Prayer
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Final Blessing
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Signing of Register. (Appropriate music for this)
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Music for exit of newly married couple.
Note: In Agia Kyriaki only Organ music may be played. No CDs.
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If both couple are Catholic - Communion is given
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If not, Communion not generally given unless specifically requested).