Justin:
Isn't the preview buttom, the thing to use before submitting?
:mrgreen: 
....Sorry I couldn't resist.
On Headcoverings and Modesty of Women in Church
George,
Thank you for your words. Sometimes it is hard for non-cradles to understand what we see and experience within Orthodoxy. I seem to have somehow given the impression that I have a problem with converts ... If I have my deepest apologies...I do not.
The single greatest influence on my life was my dearest friend ... my soul sister ... through her I learned and was motivated to learn many things about Orthodoxy that is generally not given to cradle borns to learn. As a result I asked many questions that cradle-born aren't expected to ask. Made my spiritual father's hair stand on end sometimes. :mrgreen: But he learned not to give me pat answers. Often I found greater friendship among converts than among cradle born, although I have cradle born friends too.
Like you I am not well versed in the writings of the Church, but I'm not illiterate either. Sometimes a provoking post brings me answers that I have been long seeking. Sometimes it doesn't. 
miriam
miriam and ania
Growing up my parents and the older parishioners use to tell us, just do it...thats the way its always been done in the church. No matter the questions, it was always the same answer. As you say ania-it was all grey! Even the priest did not bother to go into detail about our questions. We learned very little about Orthodoxy, just to cross ourselves at the appropriate times. No one ever bothered to explain the Liturgy and we never heard of a paraklesis service.
Converts are so lucky to learn about the church and all her beauty from the start. Only in the last 10 years have I taken Orthodoxy to heart, to learn of her history, her saints, all her symbolism and most of all the depth of her love and teaching. I have only begun to experience this great heritage that has been mine for many years. I struggle daily to keep her teachings and word and continue to fall but I always know that the church will teach me the truth as it has for 2,000 years.
Ania, concerning head coverings, I cannot remember a time when a woman entered church without a scarf or something of that nature on her head, when I was growing up. If a woman entered the church without a head covering some lady would surely pull an extra scarf out of her purse and proceed to give it to her. We were always told it was out of respect to the Theotokos to cover you head . Men always wore a jacket and a tie, even children, we were never allowed to go without a tie..
When I visit my sister I go to her church, she began going to an OCA church which is all converts, and I must say I am humbled by how these people practice the faith, from the adults to the children. They are an active part of the liturgy, no choir, no organ and very few pews. I had become accustomed to sitting in the pews, singing the communion hymn in my head and not really being a part of the Liturgy, after all it was how I was brought up. Now I love to sing the hymns even if I am off key.
On the covering of women's heads
I saw this on another board and thought it would be a good idea to share it here. I didn't enter into the great scarf debate since I don't feel arguing with anyone 
"There is a story that I read just a few years ago from a little pamphlet that I found in the back of monastic church about a very devout Russian woman in Australia who could not always attend a Russian Orthodox church, but more often attended another Orthodox church at which most of the women never covered their heads. She was known for her full and beautiful hair, but she always kept it covered. She noticed this, and not judging anyone, she made a promise to the Most Pure Theotokos that she would always keep her head covered and dress modestly whenever she attended Divine Services. After some time, it was determined that she had a dangerous form of cancer and would have to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Like anyone, she was very frightened, and turned to the Mother of God with intense prayer and tears. Once while she was praying before her icon of the Pure Virgin, she heard a sweet and comforting voice, which said to her, "My dear child, because you have always shown me love and respect, my Divine Son has granted you healing, but only after a time. Because you have honored me by always keeping your head covered, you will not lose one strand of your hair." And all came true; to cleanse her soul, God permitted her to suffer for a time, but despite intensive therapy, her hair remained intact."
Re:Ramblings
Miriam,
Thank you for posting, because this gives me a chance to explore some of the issues and questions I have, as one who is seeking, and drawn to Orthodoxy.
I just want to say, that on the subject of feminism, which endlessly troubles and torments me (!), I have spokent often on my dislike for the most political varieties of feminism that have been completelty absorbed by most of the "mainstream" Christian denominations. I absoulutely, unecivocally think that physical, emotional and sexual violence against women is and always will be a grave SIN! For centuries, Christianity was lax in deploring harmful acts towards women, and thankfully abuse and rape are now regarded, by both churches and society, as the crimes that they are. Now, for the other side. In short, I feel that as churches become more "feminist" the more likely they are to lessen their oposition to homosexuality and abortion. I don't think you can define yourself as "Christian", but believe that it is ok for two men to be "married", or that abortion is a "personal choice." To me, these views are incompatable with Christianity, as well as deeply sinful. Hence my distrust of feminism, in brief.
That said, now for the modesty issue, something I've kind of avoided on this group. As a woman, and one who admits to enjoying fashion, I don't think of modest dress has anything to do with fashion or even our ideas of what is attractive. It is, to me, simply a gesture of respect for God, and for His church. Also, I agree that covering one's head, does make everyone "equal." It is a sign of respect, and it also gives one the idea that entering church is "special." As women, we make a special gesture of this respect by putting on a scarf. I enjoy doing it. It also, I suppose, make me feel more like I "belong." For the modest dress site, i have to say that it has always struck me as a bit disengenous. I mean, women can find a below-the-knee skirt and a scarf from anywhere from Saks to Wal-Mart and every store in between. I personally would not want to support some of these businesses run by evangelicals because I don't want one cent of my money going to Protestant missionary work in Russia, this is the same reason I will not purchase from Light and Life Books.
I recently saw a site that troubled me a bit, and I was going to ask about here, but as someone who is non-Orthodox, I wasn't sure it was appropriate for me to say anything. Anyway, there is a web site called, I hink, holyorthoxy (sorry, I don't have the URL.) Anyway, their views on modest dress are rigorous, to say the least.
"Modest dress for men and women alike is to leave only the hands (to the elbow), feet, and head exposed. This is the Orthodox Christian rule of modest dress and it is mandatory at all times, not just in the Church. Short sleeves are fine, but not in Church or at a monastery, and they should never be shorter than elbow length. No sleeveless shirts outside the home. Shorts should never be worn by men or women outside the home or in front of company." It goes on to say that women should not wear jewelry except a cross and a wedding ring. Which leads me to wonder if Matushka is ok, because her ears are pierced!! There is a young father who came to Vigil on Saturday afternoon in the summer wearing shorts and sneakers. As soon as he entered the front door of church, he went downstairs with a plastic bag, and returned wearing long pants, dress shoes, etc. He and his wife and children are always in church, and I noticed that their baby has a cross pinned to her outfit. They are obviously pious people. How is this man "bad" for wearing shorts?? Modesty in church is very important, and has been lost in many churches, I know. But Christians are to be "in the World, not of the World." I don't think that wearing shorts (yeah, yeah not really short gross ones, I know), jewelry or lipstick make you evil, as long as they don't control your life and cause you to harm people to get these things. If Christians are "regular" people who are approachable, doesn't this help the cause of Christ?
Well, this is way too long. I guess your post got people talking Miriam!
I just want to say, as the way of a joke, you can always tell the converts in church because the women are wearing ankle-length skirts, scarves and no make-up. The Russian women are always super-fashionable, minimal at best head coverings, and lipstick, which the priest asks that you DO NOT wear in church. Has anyone else noticed this?
Sorry about my spelling!!! Please forgive this!