Appropriate Modest Clothing in Church

ania · Post by **ania** » Mon 29 March 2004 2:20 pm

I was writing my reply when this thread got moved...

Olja wrote:
I'd like to disagree with the notion that people dress badly in Russia, or anywhere in the former Soviet Union for that matter.. I'm actually quite surprised to hear it from people that claim to have visited Russia - one of the first things people notice about places like Moscow, for example, is how well Russians dress. I've been told that a lot by tourists that used to visit. Still, you can see it in many parishes, we, the newcomers, are often dressed really well and in good taste. Just my 5 cents

Ania wrote: I'm not saying that they dress badly... Also, I went to Russia several years ago. Back then the clothes still were a bit... outdated, shall we say. & I wasn't really talking about the people on the street, just some of the people in the churches kinda went to excess trying for the pious look. I know from my own family members who go at least once or twice a year that clothing has improved a great deal since they've started visiting Russia 13+ years ago.

We're off to see the wizard, the wizard, the wizard, We're off to see the wizard, the Wonderful Wizard of OZ.

Daniel · Post by **Daniel** » Mon 29 March 2004 4:07 pm

bogoliubtsy wrote:
From Three Saints Russian Orthodox Church in Garfield, NJ. I don't see a single beard in the whole picture!

That includeds the 2/3 priests in the photo too!

Miriam · Post by **Miriam** » Mon 29 March 2004 5:36 pm

Why is it that madesty in apparel is always equated with looking like you are wearing, something 4 sizes too big, looking sloppy and ridiculous? Where is it written that the clothes you wear must necessarily make you look like you just got off the farm at the Little House on the Prairie. It is possible to dress well and to be modest at the same time. Or perhaps that doesn't show enough suffering? ---especially to those who should have their eyes on God and not their neighbor.....that goes for both male and female...young and old. We seem to forget the most important lesson with all this and that's -- don't judge your fellow man, lest yea be judged just as harshly.

miriam

尼古拉前执事 · Post by **尼古拉前执事** » Mon 29 March 2004 5:40 pm

miriam wrote:
Why is it that madesty in apparel is always equated with looking like you are wearing, something 4 sizes too big, looking sloppy and ridiculous? Where is it written that the clothes you wear must necessarily make you look like you just got off the farm at the Little House on the Prairie.

Nowhere will you see me saying either of those things. But speaking of judging, you will see myself and others accused of such a thing!

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Mon 29 March 2004 5:43 pm

I think it depends on two things. First, what do you mean by "well". If by that you mean expensive or upscale, then I think dressing well is incompatible with dressing modestly, since part of modesty is humility and simplicity. It takes humility to wear plain old country bumpkin stuff; it takes no humility to wear the latest fashion designs. It's also hard to be simple when you have all sorts of sophisticated (phat) pants, shirts, shoes, etc. I think it also has to do with culture. For some cultures, being modest would mean little house on the prarie type stuff (plain old clothes that covers the skin and doesn't let everyone else know how firm your butt is or how large your chest is); for other cultures, being modest means wearing your "sunday best" (suits, ties, etc.) In our culture, I think the sunday best stuff went out a couple generations ago. People used to even wear suits and whatnot to baseball games; those days are long gone, though.

Miriam · Post by **Miriam** » Tue 30 March 2004 8:16 am

From a personal point of view:
I have never found it difficult to dress modestly or inexpensivesly with the fashions that are on the market. All you have to do is shop wisely and don't settle on just anything. Personally I can't see spending loads of money on clothes just for the brand name.....another form of idol worship if you ask me....but I also don't have to resort to clothes like those on that modesty site..ugh!!!. My dresses are long....well below the knee....they cover me in all the right places and I still manage to look half way decent. As for the Sunday best thing....well it went out because we allowed it to. I maintain a work wardrobe and a Sunday one...just save some clothes for just Sunday wear. We follow trends without being aware of it. Why not bring the habit back and make Sunday a special day once again and not just another day of the week? Now there is a novel idea!

Miriam

ania · Post by **ania** » Tue 30 March 2004 10:05 am

Daniel wrote:
bogoliubtsy wrote:
From Three Saints Russian Orthodox Church in Garfield, NJ. I don't see a single beard in the whole picture!

That includeds the 2/3 priests in the photo too!

Ummm... Daniel mate, I don't see any priests in that photo... perhaps you can point them out?