Last Saturday afternoon Stephanie Nicole Samouris and Brian Patrick Guy were united in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony at Saint Thomas the Apostle Orthodox Church. Stephanie’s maid of honor was her sister Anna, and bridesmaids were her sister Katherine and Brian’s sister-in-law Lee Lee Guy. Brian’s best man was his brother Steven Guy, Sr., and his groomsmen were his brother Jamie Guy and his uncle Duane Hindt. Flower girl was Reagan Sutton and ring bearer was Drew Sutton. The celebrant was Father Joseph, assisted by James Stiver, Brian’s sponsor in Orthodoxy.

The bridal party, the parents of the bride and groom, Nick and Annette Samouris and Warren and Sandra Guy, Stephanie’s grandparents, Father Joseph, and Cantors Herman Blaydoe and Olga Dewey, practically filled our little nave. But the bride and groom had planned ahead, and equipped the rectory living room with closed circuit television and lots of extra seating so that additional family and friends could be accommodated as well. This was our first marriage ceremony since the move to our present location, and Father Joseph’s first marriage as well.

Stephanie and Brian have been very faithful to the services of the Church and in their other preparations for Holy Matrimony. We pray that God will grant them many blessed and happy years together in the fullness of His body, the Church.

In Brian’s and Stephanie’s own words, “We would like to thank the people who helped lead us to this day. To our parents, thanks for your never-ending love and support. We would not be who we are today without you, and we are grateful for your tireless efforts and your unending devotion to our upbringing. To our brothers and sisters, we thank you for standing behind us even when the road was uneasy. To our family and friends, we thank you for all of your love and support, for without family and friends, life is nothing. We feel that we have been blessed with two wonderful families, and amazing friends who have given us memories to share as we start our lives together. We love you all!”