Salem has always been a town of secrets, deception, and unforgettable drama—but today, one of daytime television’s most shocking revelations comes from behind the camera. Wally Kurth,

the actor beloved for his portrayal of Justin Kuryakis on Days of Our Lives, has finally broken his 30-year silence, disclosing a scandal that was buried in the vaults of soap opera history:

the Greek wedding that fans thought was purely fiction may have been real.

From Actor to Legend: The Birth of Justin Kuryakis

Wally Kurth first stepped onto the Days of Our Lives set in 1987, expecting a role that would challenge him professionally—but nothing prepared him for what was to come. Portraying Justin Kuryakis wasn’t just another acting job. Justin became Kurth’s alter ego, a character whose charm, vulnerability, and romantic gestures captivated millions. Kurth recalls how women would approach him on the street, asking why their own partners could not emulate Justin’s poetic romance, while men regarded him with a mix of admiration and envy.

The pressure of being the standard against which real-life relationships were measured would intensify, culminating in an event that blurred the line between fiction and reality: the filming of Justin and Adrienne’s Greek wedding.

The Greek Cathedral Conspiracy

In 1988, Days of Our Lives producers orchestrated what would become the most ambitious wedding sequence in daytime television history. The show transported its entire cast to Athens, Greece, invited hundreds of fans to serve as extras, and secured permission to film inside an authentic Greek Orthodox cathedral.

Unbeknownst to viewers, the priest chosen to officiate was not a mere actor but a genuine, newly ordained cleric: Father Dimmitri Papadakis. Young, devout, and passionate about bringing attention to his struggling parish, Father Dimmitri brought a level of authenticity no rehearsal could replicate.

The cathedral itself—a Byzantine masterpiece with golden domes and walls pulsing with centuries of sacred energy—set the stage for an event that would change Kurth’s life forever. During what was meant to be a rehearsal, Kurth and Judy Evans, who portrayed Adrienne, inadvertently participated in a genuine Greek Orthodox marriage ceremony.

The Forbidden Truth

Father Dimmitri, caught up in the moment, recited ancient Greek Orthodox vows. When he asked the actors to exchange rings and pronounced them husband and wife in the name of the Holy Trinity, Kurth and Evans assumed it was part of the rehearsal. Only later did the priest explain that in the eyes of the Church, their union was legitimate—a sacrament that transcended television fiction.

The implications were staggering. Evans was already married in real life, and Kurth was in a committed relationship. The potential for scandal, career destruction, and even legal repercussions was immediate. The production team entered crisis mode, consulting lawyers, publicists, and church officials, all while trying to determine whether this unscripted spiritual marriage could carry legal weight under Greek law.

Cover-Up in Motion

The Greek Orthodox Church demanded accountability. Father Dimmitri faced the ire of his bishop, who saw the event as a mockery of sacred rituals. Yet Dimmitri stood firm, insisting the Holy Spirit had guided his actions. The resolution was drastic: Dimmitri was quietly reassigned to a remote monastery in Crete, the ceremony sealed in church records, and every cast and crew member—including fans present—was required to sign comprehensive non-disclosure agreements.

For Kurth and Evans, the emotional toll was immense. Every on-screen romantic scene became charged with real-world tension, each kiss a potential betrayal of their actual partners, each declaration of love a reminder of a secret that could ruin careers. Thirty years of silent burden followed them through Kurth’s subsequent work at General Hospital, his daytime Emmy victories, and his eventual return to Days of Our Lives.

Why Reveal the Truth Now?

Kurth explains that he is revealing the story now because the burden has grown too heavy. Father Dimmitri passed away in 2019, and the NDAs and network executives who orchestrated the cover-up have largely retired or passed on. By sharing this story, Kurth hopes to give fans an understanding of why the Justin and Adrienne wedding remains one of the most emotionally resonant moments in daytime history. In truth, it wasn’t just performance—it was genuine emotion played out within the framework of a sacred ritual.

Salem Secrets: EJ and Gwen’s Dangerous Game

While one secret has finally surfaced, Salem continues to harbor fresh intrigue. EJ DiMera and Gwen—a pair already notorious for their ambitious and morally gray maneuvers—are plotting behind closed doors in a space that seems innocuous at first: a half-finished room littered with construction debris, scaffolding, and tools. Yet the unfinished setting mirrors the shadowy nature of their plans.

EJ leads Gwen through the site with his signature confidence, brushing off her skepticism. What appears to be a simple party is, in reality, a cover for a high-security laboratory disguised as a free clinic. The revelation shocks Gwen, and viewers are left questioning the extent of EJ’s ambitions.

The Envelope of Danger

The tension escalates when EJ hands Gwen an envelope stuffed with cash, instructing her to bribe an electrician who discovered a “leak” in the system. The act is calculated—money as a tool, silence as currency. Gwen’s anger is palpable. Though a partner in his schemes, she is forced to carry the moral and practical weight of the operation, highlighting the power imbalance at the core of their partnership.

Gwen’s growing resentment hints at the possibility of betrayal, reminding audiences that in Salem, loyalty is never guaranteed and secrets rarely stay hidden. The high-security lab, the bribe, and the construction site all point to dangers that could ripple through the town if exposed, threatening lives, reputations, and the fragile equilibrium of power in the community.

The Bigger Picture

Wally Kurth’s revelation and EJ and Gwen’s unfolding storyline underscore a timeless truth about Days of Our Lives: reality and fiction often collide, with consequences that extend far beyond the screen. The Justin and Adrienne wedding serves as a historical testament to that collision, while EJ’s schemes remind viewers that Salem’s next secret is always lurking, waiting to explode.

As Kurth’s confession reshapes our understanding of one of daytime TV’s most iconic weddings, the question lingers: how many other moments in Salem’s history blur the lines between performance and reality? And what will happen when the next secret comes to light? For fans of Days of Our Lives, one thing is certain—the drama never truly ends.