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Positions for the ceremony at the altar
THE CHRISTIAN RITES

Religious Program Specialist 3 & 2, Module 01-Personnel Support
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Figure 4-23A.—The bride and groom are the first to leave the chancel. Plan A. the  chapel,  with  guests  standing  at  any  con- venient place along the steps or walk to observe the  Arch  of  Swords/Arch  of  Rifles  ceremony. THE   ARCH   OF   SWORDS/ARCH   OF RIFLES   CEREMONY.—General   instructions for  this  portion  of  the  ceremony,  if  conducted, are as follows: For a formal military wedding the Arch  of  Swords  ceremony  (figure  4-25)  may  be conducted  for  officers.  A  similar  ceremony utilizing  rifles  may  be  conducted  for  enlisted personnel.  It  is  customary  that  six  or  eight  ushers (or  designated  sword/rifle  bearers)  take  part  in the  ceremony.  At  a  Navy  chapel,  swords  and rifles are only unsheathed or made ready outside of  the  chapel.  The  head  usher,  just  prior  to  the recessional,  will  lead  the  designated  sword  or rifle  bearers  outside  the  chapel  onto  the  chapel steps where they form an arch, facing each other in  equal  number.    For   the   Arch   of   Swords ceremony,  as  the  couple  prepares  to  depart  the chapel,  the  head  usher  will  give  the  command, “Officers,   DRAW   SWORDS.”   This   action   is carried   out   in   one   continuous   motion,   tips of  swords  touching.  The  newly  married  couple Figure 4-23B.—The bride and groom are the first to leave the chancel. Alternate Plan B. will  pass  under  the  arch  (only  they  may  do  so) and  then  pause  for  a  moment.  The  head  usher then   gives   the   command,   “Officers,   RETURN SWORDS.”  (Swords  brought  to  the  position  of “present   arms.”)   Swords   are   returned   to   the scabbards  for  all  but  3  or  4  inches  of  their length.  The  final  inches  of  travel  are  completed in  unison,  the  swords  returning  “home”  with  a single  click. The  ushers  who  are  designated  as  sword  or rifle  bearers  should  be  well  versed  as  to  their duties  and  what  items  will  be  required  for the  ceremony.  The  rehearsal  is  a  good  time for  participants  to  practice  this  part  of  the ceremony.  Ushers  should  be  told  by  the  couple to  bring  the  necessary  items  required  for  the Arch  of  Swords/Arch  of  Rifles  ceremony  to  the rehearsal. RELIGIOUS RITES The  religious  rites  of  the  wedding  ceremony are  planned  and  celebrated  by  the  chaplain.  At the  rehearsal,  however,  the  RP  may  be  called upon to brief the members of the wedding party 4-32







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