Posted on 10/25/2017 5:54:54 PM PDT by marshmallow
They adhere to tradition -- and trust the ancient rule of the Christian Church
When you walk into church, after you get over the shock of the beauty of the frescos or the singing (if there's a good choir) and the fact that everyone is standing, you will probably notice that all the women are wearing headscarves.
Most Christian denominations abandoned the age-old rule in the 1950-1960's as too old and cumbersome, and even the Greeks have abandoned the tradition in recent years.
Yet the Russian woman still staunchly whisks out her scarf and covers her head as she walks through the doors of a church.
Though there really is no official church ruling obligating all women to cover their hair, it is nevertheless done in all Russian churches.
Most times, though, it isn't something women are forced to do; it's just a natural part of the traditional environment of the Church.
If some new girl with an uncovered head, usually, no one will say anything. They know, that with time, she will gradually start emulating the example of the women around her.
Sometimes, of course, a hawkish grandmother, with a strict eye for decency, will bring a headscarf. Or, better, a sweet church grandmother will say “Dear one, come with me, we'll get you into some Christian attire.”
There’s always a basket in the back of the church with spare scarves.
But Why?
Adherence to Tradition. Russian women usually are not prone to hotly debating the topic, and simply respect the holy Traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church. They tend to trust that, if the Church has kept this rule for hundreds of years, it probably has worth and wisdom and will lead them in the 'right' direction.
Humility. Head coverings are a visible, outward symbol of humility, a......
(Excerpt) Read more at russian-faith.com ...
I once saw a photo of a group of kids from First Baptist Church, Atlanta. They were visiting the First Baptist Church in, I think the Capital of Serbia. It was a beautiful old church, just about packed.
Looking at the photo, one thing struck me. Every female over maybe 16 years old had her head covered. Often by only a little patch of material.
I then remember the Apostle Paul’s writing about it being a disgrace for a woman to be in church with her head uncovered.
When I was growing up, this was required in the Catholic Church too.
It all depends on if you accept God’s Command in 1 Corinthians 11:5 and 6.
…:5And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for it is just as if her head were shaved. 6If a woman does not cover her head, let her hair be cut off. And if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head.”
The Russian Orthodox are absolutely correct according to God’s word.
Pics, damnit pics
Most married Orthodox Jewish women cover their heads. In fact, such covering is considered indicative of how serious one’s Orthodoxy is. Not always obvious as wigs are an acceptable cover.
Old black ladies (queens) wear “crowns” to church.
I can remember my Mother always wearing a hat in church. This was a Southern Baptist Church.
Maybe around 1960 or a few years later it quit being the custom and I don’t recall her wearing one after that.
This brought up a memory of my Grandmother. She wrote a story in the “Holmes County Advertiser” of her trip to South Carolina to represent an organization.
There was a problem tho. No proper girl then (just after 1900) traveled without a hat. They arrived at the train station in DeFuniak Springs only a few minutes before the train departed. Her Sister went to the Jennings Sisters store, bought the hat and threw it through the trains window to Grandmother just as the train pulled out.
Countless black women would rather attend church naked than hatless. For these women, a church hat, flamboyant as it may be, is no mere fashion accessory; it's a cherished African American custom, one observed with boundless passion by black women of various religious denominations.
A woman's hat speaks long before its wearer utters a word. It's what Deirdre Guion calls "hattitude...there's a little more strut in your carriage when you wear a nice hat. There's something special about you."
If a hat says a lot about a person, it says even more about a people-the customs they observe, the symbols they prize, and the fashions they fancy.
In my first church, women/girls were expected to wear some form of headcovering during the meetings. Extra coverings were on hand in case a lady forgot her own at home.
Setting aside the headcovers, the part of the article that impressed me was this:
“Russians are famous for standing for hours on end during their long, long services. While usual services are 2-3 hours, services during Great Lent and in monasteries span up to 6 hours.
And for most of that time, most of the congregation is standing upright.”
I know countless black women and while they do love their hats, I can assure you that going to church naked would not be an option.
Hence, the crowns.
:)
“Pics, damnit pics”
Well here is a short video clip from the service of the veneration of the Holy Cross on Great & Holy Friday (Good Friday in western parlance). I think it gives you the flavor for a Russian church service.
Because Africa was the birthplace of royal mothers who birthed daughters who ruled on the highest thrones around the world.
We are naturally imperial. It’s in our DNA. To command comes natural for we only like being at the top."
It's science, I guess.
“6 - If a woman does not cover her head, let her hair be cut off. “
Time to start enforcing it?
Thanks MRx, you always post such gorgeous videeos.
That old time religion.
Tagline
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.