Koumbaros and koumbara
In Greek Orthodox tradition, the principal sponsor of a marriage.
The koumbaros (male) or koumbara (female) is the principal sponsor of a marriage in Greek Orthodox tradition; the role exists with cognate names in other Slavic and Eastern European Orthodox traditions (Russian kum / kuma, Serbian kum / kuma). The sponsor holds the wedding crowns during the Sacrament of Crowning, participates in the procession around the analogion, and is traditionally also expected to be the godparent of any future children of the marriage (a cultural-religious expectation more than a canonical one). The sponsor is normally an Orthodox Christian in good standing; in modern US practice the role is sometimes filled by a married couple together.