Blessed by the apostles: A Marondera couple’s unique wedding

A tale of love and humbleness, one that goes against the buzz of current trends No glitz, no glam, just two hearts, a shrine and a promise of happily ever after Forget about the high heeled shoes adorned by bridesmaids, forget about a boom box loudly churning out Alexio Kawara’s eternal ballad, Shaina, or the fancy weddings favoured by today’s young couples It is a Sunday afternoon at Johane Masowe weChishanu Jerusarema as pilgrims flock to their shrine popularly known as Bhesidha outside Marondera

It is a unique day where Willios Mavhura and Estiah Chiore have decided to seal their love by exchanging vows at this shrine The “holy decor” was eye-catching with the ramp, not the popular red carpet, but veils of apostolic white cloth Two clay pots filled with traditional brown rice and another with water were at the pulpit Before the rice filled clay pots knelt two elderly women who were deemed to be clean

Also, at the pulpit, were five women with each of them holding a reed Everyone at the shrine, including the couple, were barefoot The couple was escorted by their team slowly making their way facing the eastern side, where popular apostolic sect leader and prophet Lawrence Katsiru was waiting as a “vessel of the holy spirit” to endorse the union Four men lifted an apostolic sect cloth to provide a shade to the couple

As the popular apostolic Hosanna song filled the shrine, Katsiru went into “trance” to “beseech God” to bless this young couple’s marriage After the song, he told them of the challenges they will face in their union and offered solutions The water from the clay pot at the pulpit was sprinkled on the couple while they were holding on to a small wooden cross.

Source: The Standard Zimbabwe