Photo by Ronnie R

It’s one of the most recognizable and beautiful buildings in D.C., and now the Washington National Cathedral is preparing to play host to same-sex marriages.

The decision, which will be announced today, isn’t so surprising given the Episcopal Church’s stance on gay rights and marriage equality, but it will still prove to be a powerful symbol given the church’s visibility, popularity among tourists and use for official ceremonies, writes the Post:

In some ways, the announcement that is expected Wednesday morning is unsurprising for a denomination and a diocese that long ago took up the cause of marriage equality. But the cathedral’s stature and the image of same-sex couples exchanging vows in the soaring Gothic structure visited by a half-million tourists each year is symbolically powerful.

Even though it is known that the Episcopal Church, a small but prominent part of American Christianity, has been supportive of equality for gay men and lesbians, “it’s something for us to say we are going to do this in this very visible space where we pray for the president and where we bury leaders,” said the Rev. Gary Hall, who became dean of Washington National Cathedral in the fall. “This national spiritual space is now a place where [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] people can come and get married.”

The Episcopal Diocese of Washington has had same-sex ceremonies of one form or another since at least 2004, and in 2006 it voted for formalize the practice. Today’s announcement means that the cathedral will be able to give same-sex couples a “theologically proper ceremony.”

Same-sex marriage was legalized in D.C. in 2010, but the city’s law includes provisions allowing religious institutions to opt out of performing any same-sex marriage ceremony if they believe it contradicts their teachings.