The Wedding at Cana of Galilee

Background

This feast is one of the Seven Minor Feasts of the Lord in the Coptic Orthodox Church. It is celebrated onthe 13th of Tobe. It celebrates the first miracle performed by Jesus Christ during His ministry on earth, when He changed the water into wine, thereby manifesting His glory to His disciples who consequently "believed in Him" (Jn. 2:11).

The following truths may be deduced from this miraculous event:  

1. It is the first evidence of the power of Jesus Christ over matter, a power derived from within. 

2. It establishes the intersessional character of the Blessed Theotokos Virgin Mary, which is evident in Jesus' prompt response to her request. 

3. It is an advance confirmation of the mystery of the Eucharist, the conversion of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. The wine converted at Cana was not intoxicating, but "good" wine as testified to by the owner of the feast; wholesome and beneficial, like the wine of blessing mentioned in Genesis 27:28 & 37, and in Deuteronomy 7:13, and the eucharistic wine.

4. It is a manifest indication that the Church blesses marriage and treats it as a sacrament. Hence there are many references to the marriage feast of Cana in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony. 

The late Bishop Gregorios, the General Bishop of Theological Post Graduate Studies, Coptic Culture and Scientific Research. 

“Feasts, Minor.” Claremont Coptic Encyclopedia

Spiritual Application 

“For Your love is better than wine… therefore the virgins love You"

Song of Solomon 1:2-3

The sacrament of Holy Matrimony is a form of conversion where the two bodies become one flesh. Likewise, Christ’s conversion of the water into good wine points to the conversion of the two in marriage who become one. Our Lord has the power to change and can change us to be true brides of Christ. The Holy Eucharist is celebrated by the Church as a wedding between the believers and Christ; this feast shows us also that we become one with Him through His Body in Blood that is transformed for us on the altar.

Now that we were born again as new creations in Nativity with Christ’s becoming Man, put off the old man in the new covenant as we lived the Feast of Circumcision, and were also regenerated with Christ in the Holy Theophany, we are now ready to be true brides of Christ. A true bride of Christ becomes one with Him, desires Him alone, and submits to Him in everything.

Spiritual exercise

Let us take this feast as an opportunity to renew our vows to Christ. To be true brides of our Heavenly Bridegroom. Let us put off all of the desires of the world that we have placed before Him. Let us submit to His will: to follow His commandments. Let us become one with our Lord, abiding always in Him through continual Repentance and Confession and become one with Him in the sacrament of Holy Communion.

Rites

The Feast of the Wedding at Cana of Galilee is prayed in the Festive Tune. As a Minor Feast of our Savior, if it falls on a Wednesday or Friday, the fast is observed but without prostrations or abstaining.

Hymns

Verses of Cymbals

  • Six jars of water, He changed into chosen wine, through His great glory, at the wedding of Cana of Galilee.

Praxis Response 

  • Six jars of water, You made them chosen wine, through Your great glory. We praise You three times.

Psalm Response

  • Alleluia, Alleluia. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, blessed the waters, and made them wine. Alleluia, Alleluia.

Gospel Response

  • O Who at the Wedding of Cana of Galilee, turned water into select wine, turn our hearts, O Immanuel, from evil to what pleases You, O Holy One.Alleluia (4). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, blessed the waters, and made them wine.This is He to whom is due glor, with His good Father, and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever.

Psalm 150 Response

  • Jesus Christ, the Son of God, blessed the water and turned it into wine.

Conclusion

  • The Son of God blessed the waters and made them wine. Save us and have mercy on us...