One of those ceremonies is actually the newest laundry of one’s bride, that has been used for casting an enchantment more than their own husband to be, so as that however like their own permanently:

Always, half of so it number are kept in money plus the almost every other half inside items (elizabeth.g., silver, NORDICS femelle silver, pearl, foods, clothing, horses, carriages, servants, etcetera.). In the event your lady didn’t come with brothers, the new dowry may even are land.(13) The dental arrangement of your own dowry between your dads ended the new period of “courtship.”

The next phase of your betrothal was new “greeting.” On an excellent pre-put up date, the fresh bridegroom-to-be involved his betroth’s house “when you look at the a flush shirt” in the company of his father otherwise older cousin. they certainly were met from the girl’s dad just who sat them off regarding the hearth, with the home’s most readily useful seats (the brand new fiance-to-become, however, stayed concealed). The fresh new contractual data files, discussing new intention so you’re able to wed while the details of this new dowry had been exhibited and closed. Zero priest is actually present at that enjoy (even if in the event the both sides was basically illiterate, a beneficial clerk is establish). Brand new sgovor didn’t come with spiritual meaning, but was simply a corporate transaction. Following the signing, gift suggestions was replaced and girl’s dad presented new residence’s icon on the travelers in order to hug. The fresh party following gone towards back place — an internal waiting area where in fact the women, getting constantly segregated on guys, was in fact attained (except the long term bride to be by herself who had been banned is present) — to meet up new fiancee’s mommy and to congratulate their particular. She kissed the fresh bride to be along with her women in change used their unique example. The brand new ritual completed, the latest visitors departed.(14)

A short while afterwards, new boy’s mom came to new bride’s home with the “inspection” to look for the profile and chastity of your own girl. Through to passageway their approval, the brand new boy’s mommy provided the fiancee a ring. Afterwards, she may additionally posting this new girl a cross, specific good fresh fruit, and some headwear for the servants.(15)

Discover a separate series off events recommended in the historic records. The newest Chapel failed to accept of getting betrothals happen outside of your own Church and needed your sgovor as well as the exchanging off groups occur in a chapel and start to become sanctified from the an effective priest. Because the Levin demonstrates to you, betrothals was in fact often handled because the giving official permission so you can fornicate. The latest Church felt, because of its area, that when lovers was browsing features sex just before relationship after that it could too result in the betrothals since the binding as relationship in itself: “The brand new church kept you to a hope in advance of Jesus and witnesses is become kept; an official vow in order to get married is joining through to both sides.”(16)

Quickly before the matrimony, it was well-known to set up a routine shower [ bania ]. Following the bride’s ritual ablution, new ‘charmed water’ are carefully conserved and given to the brand new partner to drink pursuing the relationship.(17)

Although the Church are highly opposed to it behavior (because of its pagan origins), there are indicators so it live on the sixteenth century.

This new maintenance of your pre-Religious customs regarding the ‘charmed water’ in tenth so you’re able to 15th-century relationships rituals are informed me by the desire of your bride so you can profit this new love and you will love off their particular future partner from the a style of magical rituals

Another pre-relationship individualized try brand new “maiden’s party” — a kind of gothic bachelorette cluster — where feminine attained towards the fiance the night time before relationships. Today it actually was old-fashioned to get rid of the fresh new girl’s headcovering [ kokoshnik ] and you may comb out their own tresses. Their unique unmarried tress (the newest symbol out of maidenhood when you look at the medieval Russia) are braided for the last date.(18)