The Meaning Behind Greek Orthodox Wedding Crowns (Stefana)
Stefana are the sacred wedding crowns used during a Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony. Placed upon the bride and groom’s heads, they symbolise honour, unity, and the beginning of their new life together as husband and wife.
The two crowns are connected by a ribbon, representing the couple’s eternal bond. During the ceremony, the koumbaro or koumbara exchanges the crowns between the couple three times, blessing their marriage in the name of the Holy Trinity.
Modern stefana come in a range of elegant designs, including sterling silver, gold-plated bands, pearls, crystals, and porcelain flowers. After the wedding, many couples preserve their stefana inside a decorative keepsake box known as a stefanothiki, creating a meaningful heirloom to treasure for years to come.
