"Do Eastern Orthodox women wear head coverings to the Divine Liturgy?"
It varies, as does the tradition of men being on the right and women on the left. It is more common in the "old countries", and in the West, varies between various jurisdictions and traditions.
I've been to a Serbian parish where the men on right and women on left was adhered to, but no women covered their heads. I've been to OCA parishes where nearly all women cover their heads, but where men and women stand mixed together.
In more traditional parishes, all women have their heads covered. In more modern parishes, especially in America, often none do. Kolokotronis can correct me, but in the Greek churches, head covering is considered to be an old country peasant thing -- there, one generally finds only non-Greeks covering their heads, since they don't have those same concerns and associations. In our parish, I would estimate that perhaps 30-40% of the women who regularly attend cover their heads. The ones who do are our native Alaskan women and converts, with the exception of one younger Greek woman.
It has been pointed out that St. Paul said "ought," not "must" in this regard. My wife says that it has a significant and powerful spiritual effect on her to cover her head in church. I have to take her word for it. I stay out of it.
"It has been pointed out that St. Paul said "ought," not "must" in this regard. My wife says that it has a significant and powerful spiritual effect on her to cover her head in church. I have to take her word for it. I stay out of it."
Years of marriage, my dear friend, have made you a very wise man! :)
The word "ought" is ofeilw and indicates that which is owed. The first and foremost meaning of "ought" is an oblgation, not a choice.