Engagement Ring Question

[Bessie]

I know during the wedding ceremony our rings go on our right hands. I figure when I am married I will probably leave it there (but feedback on that is welcome too), but where do Orthodox normally wear engagement rings? Left or right hand? Does it matter?

Thanks!

 

[musicluvr83]

I'm not sure if there's a "rule" or whatever, but I do know my mom wears her engagement ring next to her wedding ring on her right hand.

In terms of where to wear an engagement ring while engaged...from what I've seen with Orthodox friends of mine, most have worn their engagement rings on their right hand.

 

[choirfiend]

Engagement rings go on the left hand, if they are given. There is no Orthodox tradition or reason to wear one on the right--actually,the opposite is the case. Ive seen some people start to wear one on the right in the mistaken idea that they are being "Orthodox" in doing so. However, wearing a separate engagement ring doesnt have a very long history--a couple of hundred years, perhaps, and almost no history in Orthodox countries, and wearing an engagement ring on the right hand has no history in Orthodoxy.

Instead, in countries such as Greece, one was given a thin gold band upon their engagement. Both men and women had such a ring. Then, upon their wedding, during the betrothal part, the priest would move that same ring to the right hand. There was only one ring, and as you can see, there was actually a reason to wear it on the LEFT hand before it was blessed by the priest and moved to the right.

In the end, it's not that ring that matters but the wedding ring, so there's no real importance to any hand or finger you wear it on. As long as you are aware there's no "Orthodox" reason to wear it on the right, wear it wherever you want!

 

[Joshua G.]

There is symbolism behind the right hand. It's refered to as the hand of righteousness in the Bible.

That said, I agrre. It doesn't matter. If your husband has a preference, follow that if you need a tie breaker.

My wife wears it on her left because she wants it made known she is married and not simply wearing jewelry. She prefers me to wear it on the left too for the same reason. In an ideal world, i think I would prefer wearing it on the right. But more than that I prefer to appease my wife. Happy wife, happy life

 

[-Kyriaki-]

Everyone I know does the left hand = engagement, right hand = married thing.

Quite a few of the women will leave their engagement ring on their left hand and wedding ring on the right to make it clear to everyone that they're well and truly taken

 

[Knee V]

In all reality, the "wedding ring" IS the engagement ring. Although it's fallen out of common practice, a couple would agree to marry and then have a betrothal service in which rings are exchanged. Later, at the wedding, they are crowned.

 

[-Kyriaki-]

The blessing of the rings is still done at engagements, at least here with the Greeks anyway Generally the man wears his ring on his left hand too, and then most of the time that becomes his wedding ring.

 

[choirfiend]

My hubby wears his on the right, and I do too. People never assume we're not married, but instead, ask why we're wearing it on the other hand--and then I get to tell them. Although, if he's going into a particularly "dangerous" situation, like going to his brother's bachelor party, he likes to wear his work ring(not as easily damaged material) on his left hand so there's no question.

 

[Khaleas]

I wore my engagement ring on the left hand (we got engaged before I converted) and then got my wedding band at the wedding (well, engagement) and put that on the right hand and moved over the engagement ring to the right hand.
Funnily I could never get used to wearing my engagement ring on my left hand but it feels fine on my right hand. I wear a prayer ring on my left hand.
Some countries always wear the ring on the right hand.
In Finland both get an 'engagement ring' and then the woman gets another one at the wedding (in some cases the man gets one too but that's not very common).

 

[Knee V]

then got my wedding band... on the right hand ... I wear a prayer ring on my left hand.

My wife and I do the same thing.

 

[Joshua G.]

What's a prayer ring? Is it a particularly Orthodox thing or...?

Thanks.

Josh

 

[Khaleas]

I found one example online:
ArchangelsBooks.com » "Jesus Prayer" Sterling Silver Ring in Old Church Slavonic » Orthodox Christian Rings

I use mine as a prayer 'rope' when I'm not wearing a prayer rope (I just spin it). Got mine at Jordanville last year (I have a few but this one fits the best, some I've been given, some I've bought at places important to me).

 

[Joshua G.]

It's beautiful and seems like a beautiful idea. Does this have a lot of history and tradition behind it or is relatively new (like, 200 years)? Just curious.

Josh

 

[Khaleas]

It's beautiful and seems like a beautiful idea. Does this have a lot of history and tradition behind it or is relatively new (like, 200 years)? Just curious.

Josh

I have no idea. They have them in a lot of places for sale in Russia (but I know there are Greek ones too). I even know of some monastics who wear them.
For me personally it's a more practical option to wearing a prayer rope (and a fairly decent decoy on the left hand ).

 

[choirfiend]

It's beautiful and seems like a beautiful idea. Does this have a lot of history and tradition behind it or is relatively new (like, 200 years)? Just curious.

Josh

i know of at least one monastery that carries them in english, so look around! There might be some by you.

 

[Trying_to_be_Orthodox]

just like idea - i bring engaigment ring on my neck chain.

 

[seashale76]

As I was married way before I became Orthodox- my husband and I had the crowning. I've always worn one ring and it has always been on the left hand. I don't see the need to change it to the right. Most would consider it an engagement ring- but as I never saw the point in an engagement ring and a wedding band- I bucked tradition and went with one ring.

 

[Dorothea]

Everyone I know does the left hand = engagement, right hand = married thing.

Quite a few of the women will leave their engagement ring on their left hand and wedding ring on the right to make it clear to everyone that they're well and truly taken

My mom said the same thing - engagement ring on left then moved to right when marry. There is a reason why the ring is worn on the right hand:


It has always been the tradition of the Church to place the wedding ring on the right hand of the couple based on biblical references. This is seen very clearly in one of the prayers in the Betrothal Service, but we don’t hear it in the Antiochian Archdiocese because of the abbreviated service that we use. A portion of the prayer refers to the biblical references: “For You, O Lord, have declared that a pledge is to be given and held inviolate in all things. By a ring Joseph was given might in Egypt; by a ring Daniel was exalted in Babylon; by a ring our heavenly Father showed compassion upon His prodigal son, for He said, ‘Put a ring upon his right hand, kill the fatted calf, and let us eat and rejoice.’ Your own right hand, O Lord, armed Moses in the Red Sea. By word of Your truth were the Heavens established and the earth set upon her sure foundations; and the right hands of Your servants shall be blessed by Your mighty word, and by Your uplifted arm.” As we see, it was scripturally the practice to wear rings on the right hand, the hand of authority and power completing the pledge of commitment. The power and authority comes from the right hand of God.

The practice of wearing rings on the left hand is rooted in superstition that says that there is a vein that goes from the left hand directly to the heart. This medieval superstition, like many others, was brought to America from Western Europe no doubt. Unfortunately, too many people today just follow what the majority in society do without truly understanding its meaning. Hopefully, with education and faith we will maintain the richness and meaningfulness of the Orthodox faith.

Why in the Orthodox tradition do we wear the wedding ring on the right hand? | Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese

 

[seashale76]

It's a nice tradition- but it isn't critical.

I've never had a priest tell me I had to move my ring to the right hand- and I've been to more than one Orthodox marriage workshop. Most people who wear their rings on the left hand have never heard of the hand to heart superstition. I don't see how such a superstition can hold sway over me if I didn't know about it or acknowledge it as my reason for doing so. I'd have to get it resized to make it fit on my right hand- and I find that to be inconveniencing. How many people do I know that have been married for years who don't wear their rings anymore because their rings don't fit or for other valid reasons? Loads. Are they any less married or blessed? I should hope not.

 

[Knee V]

Our priest put our rings on our right hands, so they will stay there. If I were married when I joined the Church, I'd likely keep the ring on my left hand as well.