On Headcoverings and Modesty of Women in Church

[TomS]

Ok, if I am to understand you correctly, if I am in Russia, in the Russian Orthodox Church, I am to adhere to their traditions, but I am not supposed to adhere to the tradition when I am in a Russian Orthodox church in the US?

Not at all. You should do what you feel is appropriate as long as it does not offend the other parishoners.

I am to obey the monk, because he represents the church, but not to obey him once I step onto foreign soil?

I don't know because I don't know what the precise rebuke the monk gave your husband was about. If it was something that was more cultural, then maybe not.

Just because the women are not covering their heads in Athens does not make it a correct practice.

I didn't say that I thought it was. I just said that this tradition is changing even in the "old country"

And the idea, to tell some babushka to mind her own business, one of those old ladies could verbally slash you better than anyone on a message board!

Then she would not be acting very Christian.

[TomS]

And if in your mind that isn't our role as Orthodox women, that our role should not be to serve God and our family, what exactly should our role be in life?

I remember being taught at a summer church camp that our role as Orthodox women was to either a) get married and have children and bring them up in the Faith...

This has worked out great so for for me, my wife, and our 1.5 children (one's still in the oven )

And likewise for my wife and I. We had 2 children and she never worked. But that does not mean that it is right for everyone.

I CERTAINLY agree that A PARENT SHOULD stay home and perform this function (and I will even say that a woman is better at it). I just don't think that teaching our children that this is how it HAS to be or you are not a GOOD ORTHODOX woman is the best way to go about it.

[尼古拉前执事]

Ok, if I am to understand you correctly, if I am in Russia, in the Russian Orthodox Church, I am to adhere to their traditions, but I am not supposed to adhere to the tradition when I am in a Russian Orthodox church in the US?

Not at all. You should do what you feel is appropriate as long as it does not offend the other parishoners.

So you agree then that if it offends other parishioners women should not come into church with their heads uncovered?

[Daniel]

I am to obey the monk, because he represents the church, but not to obey him once I step onto foreign soil?

I don't know because I don't know what the precise rebuke the monk gave your husband was about. If it was something that was more cultural, then maybe not.

Tom, the only thing is that men praying with there heads un-covered isn't cultural, it's very Scriptural.

Just because the women are not covering their heads in Athens does not make it a correct practice.

I didn't say that I thought it was. I just said that this tradition is changing even in the "old country"

This isn't the Tradition 'changing', it's just being flatly dis-regarded.

[TomS]

Ok, if I am to understand you correctly, if I am in Russia, in the Russian Orthodox Church, I am to adhere to their traditions, but I am not supposed to adhere to the tradition when I am in a Russian Orthodox church in the US?

Not at all. You should do what you feel is appropriate as long as it does not offend the other parishoners.

So you agree then that if it offends other parishioners women should not come into church with their heads uncovered?

Absolutely! When in Rome.....

I mean, that's just common courtesy Nick.

[TomS]

Tom, the only thing is that men praying with there heads un-covered isn't cultural, it's very Scriptural.

I believe that it was a cultural thing that was used by St. Paul to show how we should show respect in our worship. It does not mean that that is how we are ALWAYS supposed to do it for ever and ever.

This isn't the Tradition 'changing', it's just being flatly dis-regarded.

Traditions change. That's why they are traditions.

[Miriam]

I have beg to differ regarding men's uncovered heads being scriptural.... in old Judaic practice men's heads were covered as a sign of respect to God. Christians in an effort to be different from Jews started that whole uncovered head bit...for men at least.