Freeday, 22nd of Juno, 470th Year of the Fifth Era

Josias and Serena held each other's hands as they looked at one another in front of the church's grand altar. It was time for them to exchange their vows. Reverend Timotheus began reading from the agende or 'missal'. The sacred liturgy of marriage had begun.

Timotheus started, "Brother Josia Panuturi Hatigoran Sigumogo, sister Serena Uli boru Rapmasari. You will for us to come to the Lord in prayer and beseech Him to guide you in your new life journey. We ask that gives you His blessings like He did for Adam and Eve. For this we ask…"

"God have mercy on us…" Josias and Serena answered.

"May the Lord's blessings on you be like that of Abraham and Sarah. That the Lord blessed Sarah's womb and they became the father of many nations. For this we ask…"

"God have mercy on us…"

"May the Lord's blessings be upon you that you may be like Isaac and Rebecca, for He gave them descendants. For this we ask…"

"God have mercy on us…"

"May the Lord's blessings be upon you that you may be like Jacob and Rachel, for through them He gave the twelve tribes. For this we ask…"

"God have mercy on us…"

"May the Lord's blessings be upon you that you be like Zachary and Elizabeth, for through their descendants came the opening way to Christ. For this we ask…"

"God have mercy on us…"

"May the Lord bless you as He did the Blessed Virgin Mary for through her He became man to save us all. For this we ask…"

"God have mercy on us…"

"May the Lord bless you as Christ had come to the wedding at Cana. Christ had blessed that marriage in His love and mercy. For this we ask…"

"God have mercy on us…" Josias saw how Serena's eyes started becoming a little bit teary. He smiled as he held her hands just a little tighter to which she grasped him back tightly as well. The young reverend continued reading the liturgy to them.

"Brother and sister in the love of Christ, you come to the Lord in the hopes of attaining His blessings for your marriage. Because of that, hearken ye to God's Word on the foundations of a christian marriage: And the LORD God said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.'

"The Lord Christ also did speak: 'Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.' And so what therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.

"And so is the Word of God to ye, O man: 'Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor.' Be not bitter against her but live with her with honesty and wisdom. Treat her with love and respect her as you would an heir to the everlasting life.

"Now hear the Word of God to ye, O Woman: 'Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.' May you be honest, sincere, respectful, gentle, patient, and full of peace. Thus are the virtues that both God and your fellow man are expecting of.

"Because of that, may you be workers of the Word; to be full of love and humility. May you love each other and build each other up. Avoid anger, strife, and deceit! But above all: 'May you love one another, for love is the perfect bond'. May the peace of God take power over your heart. Everything that you do or say, do it in the Name of Jesus, so that He takes power over your heart and your works."

With the reading of scripture done, Timotheus continued on to question both Josias and Serena.

"Tuan Josias Panuturi Hatigoran Sigumogo, do you – in front of the Almighty All-knowing God and His church – willingly take this woman, Serena Uli boru Rapmasari, to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love her with all your heart and all your soul. To, with her, maintain a sanctified life. To understand her and take on her weaknesses? Do you give your word to never separate from her until death do you part?"

"I do." Josias answered solemnly, his eyes locked onto Serena's. The priest nodded before he looked to the woman.

"Serena Uli boru Rapmasari, do you – in front of the Almighty All-Knowing God and His church – willingly take this man, Tuan Josias Panuturi Hatigoran Sigumogo, as your lawfully wedded husband? To love him with all your heart and all your soul. To, with him, maintain a sanctified life. To understand him and take on his weaknesses? Do you give your word to never separate from him until death do you part?"

"I do." Serena answered with a nod.

Reverend Timotheus nodded with satisfaction before he looked to the side and called to the front of the altar the ringbearer.

Jakobus had been chosen to be the ringbearer for the wedding ceremony. He walked up carefully to the front of the altar while carrying the velvet blue pillow upon which were the wedding rings.

All the rings for him and his companions along with their wives were personally crafted by his uncle Hamoraon. It was his magnum opus as he put distinct personalities into each and everyone of the rings. Josias smiled as he saw the two rings upon the pillow. Beautiful, matching, golden bands engraved with their names on it adorned with a single beautiful gemstone. Josias' a bright ruby, Serena's a shining sapphire.

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When Jakobus arrived in front of the altar and the bride and groom, Timotheus continued the liturgy.

"Church of Christ! In front of Our Lord and the Hosts of Heaven, these two have taken an oath to start a new life together in holy matrimony. Now comes the exchanging of rings, a symbol of love and fidelity as man and wife. O Faithful Lord God, bless these two who have loved one another and taken an oath of holy matrimony. Amen."

With those words, Timotheus motioned for Josias and Serena to start the ring exchange.

Josias took the smaller sapphire ring for Serena and held it up as he looked to his bride. He took in a breath to calm his beating heart. He then made his oath.

"I give this ring as a sign that I take Serena Uli boru Rapmasari as my wife. I promise to always be faithful, in joy or in pain, in sickness and in health. I will always love her and be attentive to her. Until death do us part. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

Josias out on the sapphire ring onto Serena's ring finger. When Josias looked up, he saw Serena was already teary-eyed again, he became worried. But Serena shook her head and smiled instead as she took the ruby ring and held it up as she said her vow.

"I give this ring as a sign that I take Tuan Josias Panuturi Hatigoran Sigumogo as my husband. I promise to always be faithful, in joy or in pain, in sickness and in health. I will always love him and be attentive to him. Until death do us part... In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

With tears of joy and a slight sob, Serena put on the larger ring on Josias' ring finger. Reverend Timotheus looked at this and nodded once more with a chuckle before saying, "With this, I pronounce you man and wife. Whatsoever is joined by God, let not man separate. Amen. You may now kiss the bride."

Josias' heartbeat paced faster than he had ever anticipated. He's kissed Serena before, granted, but none of that compared to what he was currently about to do. This was a sacred kiss. A vow in front of the whole congregation of the church that from today onward they were married. She was no longer just his lover. Serena was his wife through and through.

Seeing Serena's expectant, sparkling eyes, Josias decided to not hesitate any longer. He held her hands as he leaned in to take his kiss. He pressed his lips unto hers as the two officially made known their new relation as husband and wife.

The church cheered as they saw the kiss and many clapped as well. Josias and Serena laughed as they saw the happy faces giving them their well wishes. Josias waved to everyone there as he put his arm around Serena who was given a cloth to wipe the tears from her eyes. Finally, Timotheus asked the two of them to kneel in front of him so he could bless them.

And so Josias helped Serena as they both knelt in front of the priest and altar. Timotheus put the missal onto the altar before placing both his hands on the top of their heads. With a loud and commanding voice he put upon them the words of blessings.

"Accept the blessings of the Lord your God! The Lord blesses you and keeps you, The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you! The Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace!"

The final part of the ceremony came as Timotheus lit two candles and gave one each to Josias and Serena. Josias brought his candle over to the archbishop while Serena gave hers to Josias' father and mother. It was symbolic of the creation of a new family and a new small 'church' separated from the old one but still sharing a sacred bond.

Lastly, Timotheus called upon the fathers of both the bride and the groom to place their signatures upon the wedding charter followed by signatures by a witness from both families. On Serena's side, Elder Rihar got up to place his seal and sign upon the charter. From Josias' side his grandfather had gotten up to give his own sign and signature.

The old King Parhal had been dressed in his best clothing for the day's ceremony. He wore an embroidered shirt draped over by a most ornate ulos while he wore a regal sarong over his pants. Josias saw his grandfather walking over to the front with his priest-king staff on his right hand while he was supported by Josias' father on his left side.

Josias gave a difficult smile as he saw his grandfather struggling today just to walk, but still insisting on participating. With a few short scribbles with a quill dipped in ink, he had given his signature to the document.

It was official. In the eyes of the church, he had been married. Josias held Serena close to him as he looked at her expectantly.

"So how is it, wife? You're feeling okay? Hahaha…" Josias teased Serena which caused her to blush a little. She gave a sheepish laugh and gently hit his chest to tell him to stop teasing her. Though Josias was laughing, even he still found the word a little unfamiliar.

"I should ask the same thing of you, dear husband…" Serena's eyes locked onto Josias' as she shot back her reply with a wry smile.

It really would take a little bit more to get used to it. Husband. Wife. They weren't just childhood lovers anymore. Josias smiled before stealing another quick peck on Serena's cheek.

"Arghhh! Stop it, Josi!" Serena said with a hint of annoyance "You're going to ruin my make-up and you're going to be disappointed in me for not looking pretty!"

"Oh, okay okay. Sorry. I got a little excited there, hahah!" Josias scratched the back of his head "But I'll tell you this now. You will never not be pretty, hasian."

"Save the compliments for after the ceremony, okay, Josi? Unless you've forgotten, we're still not technically married in the eyes of the adat (traditional culture)" Serena reminded him. Josias pouted a little. Serena rolled her eyes before giving a quick peck on his cheek. "*Mwah* There. Hopefully that'll sate your appetite for now."

Josias gave a stupid grin and nodded. "I guess it'll have to do… Though tonight…"

As Josias began to trail off, he gave Serena another look as he raised his eyebrows. Serena looked at him for a moment before rolling her eyes and scoffing. But even so she couldn't hide the apparent blush on her face even with all the make up.

"Keep your head out of the gutter, hasian. We still need to stay focused and smile for the crowd of the kings."

Josias sighed a small laugh before finally acquiescing. "Yeah you're right. There's still a lot of pomp and ceremony we have to go through, unfortunately. But don't worry about any of that. No matter what else anyone might say, in the eyes of God, we're husband and wife. And that's all that really matters."

Serena gave a reassuring nod and smile to her husband.

And so the newly wedded couple along with the people in the church quickly prepared themselves to move to the larger wedding venue.

The two once more walked with the escort of a whole entourage of people comprising their clans. This time, Josias and Serena had more confidence in their stride as they were officially husband and wife. They waved with more gusto to the cheering crowds.

When they reached the venue, Josias and Serena were immediately shown to a pair of chairs outside the perimeters of the venue where they were to both sit. The first ones to enter the venue according to tradition were Josias' Sigumogo clan as they stood lined up at the central aisle of the venue. It was their job to act as the host to the other clans. Everyone besides the couple were lined up from Josias' parents, then his uncle, his grandfather, and the other clan elders.

The true traditional ceremony was about to begin. Josias prayed for everything to go smoothly according to plan. He wasn't up for any unwanted surprises on his wedding day.

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