Why do Orthodox Christian Women wear Veils? 

This is great and I’m glad for you. I am Orthodox, and I always viel in church, prayer and fasting, and any pilgrimage. Its an honor to wear.

@@sukaenacornelius9285 I want to go to an orthodox church but I know as an outsider, I will stick out like a sore thumb. What do I do on my 1st day??

@@pizzapizza1460 just go and stand there, nobody cares

@@pizzapizza1460 you are most welcome as a visitor in an orthodox church! it might be all abit new to you going for the first time. You could go to a Sunday Divine Liturgy and sit towards the back of the Church to observe everyone for the first time. You basically just copy them when they stand/sit and when they make the sign of the cross. I also suggest contacting the Parish Priest before going, introduce yourself and tell him your situation and he can help you with whatever you like! Priests are very kind, helpful and approachable 😊

@@orthobro4806 thank you brother 🙏🏼🙏🏼 God bless you too ☦️

What this means exactly?

​​@@zmry52Only Jesus had The One Master and no other master besides.

​@@mariussielckenHe's God...

Wasn't Augustine a Catholic?

@@annihilation777 He was part of the whole, so Katholikos, yes. But if you mean Roman (Papal) Catholic, no, as that didn't exist until the 11th century. So he was part of the Orthodox Catholic Church.

@البتّار الازدي Sexual Revolution.

@البتّار الازدي secularism

@@bobtim1008 Two ends of the same stick

Yes I totally agree. Plus 1 Cor 11 makes it pretty clear. The word for covering in 1 Corthians 11:4, 5,6,7, 13, is the word, katakalýptō, from katá, "down, and kalýptō, "to cover"-cover down, to make appropriate (complete), i.e. to wear a veil. It is the same word used for the veil that separated the Holy of holies from the priests. But only in vrs 15, where Paul is giving an example from nature is a different word used, "but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering." This is different word from the others for "cover"= "peribolaion," that which is thrown around or a mantel that can be thrown around (As in when a women tosses or throws her hair around). Cover in the first few verses of 1 Cor 11, should really be translated veil. This is where we get the English saying, "Let your hair down." Becuase during the "sexual revolution" women let there hair down out of thier buns, uncovered their hair and shook it back and forth. Up until only the last two generations woman covered in Church. All of our grandmothers would have covered in church. This is why the Hutterites, Mennonites, Amish, the orthodox churches, some Catholics, a lot of African tribes, and Messiniac Beleivers, etc still cover their hair. Here's some verses in the OT about head covering. Hope these help. Isaiah 47:1-2. Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans! For you shall no more be called tender and delicate. Take the millstones and grind flour, "put off your veil", strip off your robe, uncover your legs, pass through the rivers. (So as we can see, even virgins were to keep their heads covered and save their hair for their husbands. Otherwise it is like they are showing all their nakedness). Numbers 5:18. Then the priest shall stand the woman before the LORD, "uncover the woman’s head," and put the offering for remembering in her hands, which is the grain offering of jealousy. And the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that brings a curse. Also Genesis 20:16 says in the Hebrew Then to Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver; indeed this is "a covering for her eyes" (to put back on her wedding covering) you before all who are with you and before everybody.” Thus she was rebuked. From what I understand In Genesis 24:65. Rebekah covers herself because the bridal price has already been paid. 2 vrs later we see Isaac take Rebekah bright away into his tent. There was no wedding ceremony. Her covering herself was an outward show of her marriage to Isaac. Since they were married he was allowed to take her right away into his tent and "uncover" her.

@@mom4christ191 I am Assyrian Orthodox, I always wear a head covering or veil in church, during times when prayer and fasting is needed, any pilgrimage or praying at any shrine.

Beautiful Wisdom from your Mother.

That is so beautiful I wish more young orthodox women embraced this humble and beautiful holy tradition☦️🙏🏻

Arab orthodox Christian and proud🔥🔥🔥♥️♥️♥️☦️💟🇺🇸🇪🇬👍🤙💯🙏🎈👏✌️

Hey brother i am Arab Christian too ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ 👍🏻 🙏🏻 ✝️ God bless you

Good that you need is Christ then you don't need orthodoxy.

​@FA-God-s-Words-Matter You can't separate Christ from Orthodoxy because it's His Church, aka His body. It's like decapitation, separating the head from the body

@@austinditullio6682 The orthodox church is full of wickedness it is not Christ's church. Imagine all that false religious doctrine and church man made rules. Full of images and crosses and statues. Blasphemy! made God have mercy on your soul.

Very blessed breakdown! Also love your username. 😅

I LOVE Old Believer dress. The ladies always look so modest.

That's the Ukrainian Greek catholic church. They are not Orthodox.

Yeah I was too. But i will pass on a bit of what I know, and hopefully it will help?🤷‍♀️ 1 Cor 11 makes it pretty clear that a woman should cover or veil her head in public worship. The word for covering in 1 Corthians 11:4, 5,6,7, 13, is the word, katakalýptō, from katá, "down, and kalýptō, "to cover"-cover down, to make appropriate (complete), i.e. to wear a veil. It is the same word used for the veil that separated the Holy of holies from the priests. But only in vrs 15, where Paul is giving an example from nature is a different word used, "but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering." This is different word from the others for "cover"= "peribolaion," that which is thrown around or a mantel that can be thrown around (As in when a women tosses or throws her hair around). Cover in the first few verses of 1 Cor 11, should really be translated veil. This is where we get the English saying, "Let your hair down." Becuase during the "sexual revolution" women let there hair down out of thier buns, uncovered their hair and shook it back and forth. Up until only the last two generations woman covered in Church. All of our grandmothers would have covered in church. This is why the Hutterites, Mennonites, Amish, the orthodox churches, some Catholics, a lot of African congratations, and Messiniac Beleivers, etc still cover their hair. Here's some verses in the OT about head covering. Hope these help. Isaiah 47:1-2. Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans! For you shall no more be called tender and delicate. Take the millstones and grind flour, "put off your veil", strip off your robe, uncover your legs, pass through the rivers. (So as we can see, even virgins were to keep their heads covered and save their hair for their husbands. Otherwise it is like they are showing all their nakedness). Numbers 5:18. Then the priest shall stand the woman before the LORD, "uncover the woman’s head," and put the offering for remembering in her hands, which is the grain offering of jealousy. And the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that brings a curse. Also Genesis 20:16 says in the Hebrew Then to Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver; indeed this is "a covering for her eyes" (to put back on her wedding covering) you before all who are with you and before everybody.” Thus she was rebuked. From what I understand In Genesis 24:65. Rebekah covers herself because the bridal price has already been paid. 2 vrs later we see Isaac take Rebekah bright away into his tent. There was no wedding ceremony. Her covering herself was an outward show of her marriage to Isaac. Since they were married he was allowed to take her right away into his tent and "uncover" her.

@@mom4christ191 LOL! Saint Paul was clear that the Christian headcovering is for praying and prophesying! Anna was a Prophetess and the four virgin daughters of Philip were Prophetesses! It is not about modesty! In fact, Saint Paul was clear that Christian females are to have long hair for modesty!!!

@@margaritakryuchkov9894 Paul is not Jesus though. Jesus has all authority not Paul. Paul was just writing letters to specific churches that were asking for advice. It is just that, advice... Suggestions on how to deal with problems that church was having.

@@voidremoved Nope, you don't know what you're saying about Saint Paul nor did those who knew him testified as such about him nor has the Church viewed Saint Paul as such. Plus he was filled with the Holy Spirit so he was an image of Christ as all Saints are, he was filled with the third hypostasis of the one Divine Holy Trinity. Stop spewing lies and blasphemies.

Arnold Fructenbaum, a Hebrew Christian who started Ariel Ministries, does an excellent study of the subject. After that study, I began covering my hair in church-a Southern Baptist Church! Now I'm Orthodox so I'm not the only woman wearing a veil.

Allah means god sister. Modesty is beautiful regardless of the chain of faith you choose to follow😌 it is beautiful to see how passionate you are about your faith and bible. You should share your views with your kin, such times now, a lot has been lost 😮‍💨

*ALLAH MEANS GOD IN ARABIC*

@@kalidahmad8521 Thank you. The group I was with used Allah but others said I was wrong. I now know it is OK to say Allah. You are so right. I hope to one day start an Orthodox veiling channel here on RU-vid.

@@BLAKBHNR Thank you. I now realise it is OK to use Allah and have revised my original comment.

​@@harrietharlow9929 By any chance are you Black?

Thank you so much for this, I always wear mine in church and when I am fasting and praying, praying at a shrine or on a pilgrimage. I live in America, and veils are so uncommon among Christians that many women will think I’m Muslim, in fact I have been approached thought to be a Muslim and a woman went on a rant at how Christianity is so horrible. I did in fact get mixed up in culture not wearing a veil when I go out, but now I wear it most of the time because I try to always feel connected through the Holy Spirit.

@rafaela marques From Energetic Procession blog post

@@sukaenacornelius9285 Wow, thank you so much for your wonderful testimony! I have been looking for my fellow headcovering Orthodox sisters out there for a while since I am the only veiled woman in my parish in Greece. I had been covering my head in the church for 7 years and from 2014, I embarked on full-time covering because of the indescribable yearning for covering inside my soul. May God bless you and your spiritual journey abundantly. p.s. If you know any supporting group for the Orthodox veiled women, please let me know. Thank you. ⚘⚘⚘

This is mostly all wrong.

@@ljss6805 Could I ask for a critique, then? 😐 That’s quite a claim to leave unsubstantiated.

They take the klobuk off.

Nah. This is pretty wrong.

@@ljss6805meaningless words,explain why it’s wrong

@@blacksea_charm Paul is actually responding to a document he received from the Cornithians where they explain their rationale for why women should be veiled. His response is their reasoning is crap and the churches of God don't have that custom. It's clear if you read it in Greek.

It probably used to be practised, I've seen some pictures of modern nuns veiling their faces

Clement isn't a Saint.

​@@LadyMariahe is in both the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church. I won't argue about it.

@@kikikaakau-delizo8152 No argument needed. It's fact. "Although Clement is not commemorated as a saint in Eastern Orthodoxy, he was formerly commemorated by the Roman Catholic Church. However, he was dropped from the Roman martyrology by Pope Clement VIII (Pope from 1592-1605), a decision reaffirmed by People Benedict XIV (pope 1740-1758) "on the grounds that Clement's life was little known that he had never obtained public cultus in the Church, and that some of his doctrines were, if not erroneous, at least suspect."[1] Perhaps for all these reasons, "Clement has had no notable influence on the course of theology beyond his personal influence on the young Origen."" -- OrthodoxWiki, and sources noted. Have a blessed day.

@@LadyMaria thank you for the information. I appreciate it. I stand corrected. Not sure why I heard my priest (Coptic) refer to him as "saint" Clement.

Yes, and Paul says women don't need to veil, which is what some Corinthians were trying to make them do.

@@ljss6805 that is incorrect, Paul said women who pray or prophesy with their heads uncovered dishonour themselves. Head covering is a beautiful tradition practiced by the blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. She is the best role model for Christian women and we should also cover our heads when we pray and when we’re in Church 🤍☦️🙏🏼

@@masi7iyah140 He also said their hair is enough covering and that the "Churches of God" don't have the custom of making women wear a head covering. We also don't have any contemporary or near-contemporary sources that ever say the Virgin covered her head (even if we might assume she did as a Jewish woman would, we can't assert it with the confidence you just did). And finally, by your logic, we should all give birth to God in the flesh following her example.

@@ljss6805 Two different premises. One is to cover when praying, the other is not to have short hair. We know what the Theotokos looked like from iconography, so yeah she covered.

@@LadyMaria We don't know what she looked like from iconography. We know how different ages represented her iconographically, but none are contemporary to her.

Old believers are heretics according to Russian Orthodoxy , they think that the church was corrupted by Nikon and therefore reject a lot of Russian Orthodox dogmas and even some theological matters.

@@foreignstarz Russian Church left Anathemas so they are not consider heretics, some are part of the Church. They do not reject any orthodox dogmas they just make rites a dogmas

@@foreignstarz At Erie an old believers church inside Moscow Patriarch had a frescus of Avvakum without be condemn so they recognyze that Avvakum was right against Nikon

@@benjraver1273 doesn’t matter , most of them even think that the priesthood is corrupted since Nikon. They have a slightly different liturgy and don’t recognize saints after the 16th century. They are pretty much “orthodox” protestants.

@@foreignstarz Most old believers arent priestless. They still rely on all orthodox dogmas canons and council. And again their is no anathemas on them contrary to protestant

Not wearing something on head. Wearing clothes who cover up to ankles and wrists. Whites clothes (Saint Isaac the Syrian talk about it) and if possible traditionnal clothes of his people (Canonist Nikon of Montenegro talk about it in his Pandectes). Wear a belt (Saint Basil the greate say every christians must wear a baptismal cross and a belt) Old believers orthodox dress like it always

@@benjraver1273 Interesting. I don't have my traditional clothes (neither Irish, German nor English garb) nor do I wear white (gets dirtied too easily in my experience) but I do wear a belt (have to with my dress pants) and my baptismal cross (I wear it daily under my shirt anyway).

@@Cobruh_Commander You have done the most important then 😊☦. Just try get some white clothes that you put only in prayers both at home and in church. Its a good tradition to have special clothes for prayer. It create a mental atmosphere who differ secular and divine world (something very common in orthodox christianity and especially in old believers) And after all we put special clothes when we go to buring wedding at work etc.. so why not for prayer 😉

@@benjraver1273 That makes sense, thank you. Christ is risen!

@@Cobruh_CommanderTo the glory of God (your welcome) Indeed he is risen brother ! ☦

I mean no disrespect, but because a priest says that it doesn't make it right. Our church, the orthodox church has a 2000 years tradition, the wearing of a scarf by women was part of this tradition (also learn this from the iconography). St. Apostle Paul emphasized on keeping the traditions. Sadly we are living the times when is very difficult to find a true spiritual father, this has been prophesized long ago, we need to read the lifes of the saints and other spiritual orthodox books. May God help us all!!!

They were covering looooong before the Soviet era. It's Patristic. Women in Greece did before the Ottoman occupation.

That's pretty dodgy as an explanation. The veiling of women started long, long before the Soviets. And the sailors I have known generally try to pick up women in bars, not church.

It's meaningless you religious people are evolving backwards

​​@@GAF2234More like secularism is both meaningless and going backwards. We stay the same, they go in circles.

Head covering is part of Christianity and Judaism but niqab is not required by any Abrahamic faith be it Muslim Jew Christian Virgin Mary, nor any patriarchal woman never covered their faces it’s later addition it was adopted in the 9th century by sheikh hanbali and hanbali is the strictest version of Sunni Islam Niqab is used by under 5% of Muslim women world wide In the end If it makes you closer to God who am I to judge I am not a woman nor am perfect in knowledge only God can judge

@@ELIAB424 Thank you for your kind reply. For me, being able to wear niqab is a blessing and protection. About two months ago, my spiritual father blessed me to wear niqab outside my apartment. I am a recluse, and when I wear my niqab, it heps me to maintain that reclusion as much as possible.

When in prayer or prophesying.

​@@LadyMariaAt All times

@@JP-dm8mf Pretty sure not in the home as women didn't then. At any rate I only do at prayer times or in the temple.

@@LadyMariaWhat's wrong with you unrestting rebelious woman, read the Bible and screw away your temptations of not submiting to a man's authority because if you don't then you are going against God's word 1 Timothy 2. If i were your husband i would give you these big hands on your face to remember and to obey.

@@LadyMaria at home i guess it isnt mandatory

We aren't Sola Scriptura Protestants. God talks through Tradition. Scripture came from Tradition.

@@LadyMaria The question is „what did God say and how do we know what isn‘t Gods will?“ What do we have as direct speaking of God? It‘s the holy scripture alone! Tradition did not give the Holy Scripture you are in error. It was the LORD God that gave them to his people. And miss, remember it‘s me that is saying there is a complete chapter in the Holy Bible that gives a reason for a godly woman to cover her head and praise the Lord for that. The Argument that you are following is „Tradition“.

@@Christian.Portugues.Francisco I am not in error, no. God created Holy Tradition. Do not call me 'Miss' ever, that is rude. Your eisegesis was ignored for just being that. We wear one when praying in Orthodoxy, not 24/7. Learn to rightly interpret. The argument you make is your tradition, not exegesis.

Simply because secularism atheism humanism have been far more brutal with christianity (Communism in Russia) and even sometimes ally with Islam to destroy christianity. And still today Old Believers Orthodox Christians still keep this traditions. But yes Christians need a greate return to traditions

@@benjraver1273 That’s something for Christians to work on, I’m just giving you guys encouragement. God bless

@@BasedYeeter42 Christ Save (Thank you) become orthodox and pray for us 😊☦ the prayer of a rightous men is powerful (Epistole of apostole James in Holy Bible) and if you baptyze you will be washed from every sins and so rightous men

Well, this sinner is one who has not foregone this.

Muslims got it from Christians. Many Christians veil till this day because our Lord tells us to. We veil when praying and many Christians wear it all the time ! Jesus Christ is the only way to Eternal Life ! The only way to the Father is through the Son 🤍✝️

Islam came 600 years after Orthodox Christianity started so these are not Islamic values. In Slavic tradition, yes we do wear scarves in the temple. Outside it is optional. Not a big deal outside. Many Islamic women wear a hijab but bright makeup and huge earrings and flashy clothing. That defeats the purpose of a modest headscarf.

@@LadyMaria Somewhat wrong and somewhat right. Head scarf was wore during the medieval times and even before that if not entirely but at least partially as sign of modesty and also during prayers until Zionsists destroyed those values. Islam is the last remaining that has preserved that. The part that I agree is that todays muslim women are putting makeup after during hijab. Yeah, as per relgious rules it is wrong and kind of destroys modesty but not completely. At least they are somewhat following the rules by covering hair unlike western women who dont even wear hijab but also show their legs and thighs. At least we are doing something right. Also why wear scarves only in church? You think Jesus or God only exists in church not outside?

@@MustafaAli-lb8dq I said Islam came about in the 600s, which is correct, can't disagree with that. It's not necessary to wear a scarf outside of prayer as that is just cultural to do so all the time and so a moot point overall. There are other ways of modesty for women. Therefore Islam has preserved nothing but it's own culture. It's not doing something right, it's just your culture. We only wear scarves in prayer. God is everywhere but we are not commanded to wear one 24/7. Mind your own self and see about your modesty. I'll also add that modesty goes both ways. Men should be modest as well in both dress and actions. It is not solely on the woman.

@@LadyMaria Religion has nothing to do with culture. God is everywhere but all relgions pray in God's house. In Islam you can also pray at home because God is everywhere but its preferred to pray in mosque. Even though I am not deeply relgious but I believe what Islam says that modesty should exist all the time because God is everywhere not just in church. Once again, relgion has nothing to do with culture. Cultures keep evolving but relgion doesnt. If relgion evolves, then that relgion is a corrupted or a lost relgion. That's why we dont believe in Bible. We believe that Christianity was once a true relgion just like Judaism but got lost in the process. People hate us because we refuse to change our religion for the sake of culture. There are so many Muslim women in my country and other places that dont wear hijab but none of them disagree that we should not wear it because you can't change your relgion for the sake of your pleasure. Of you dont want to follow, fine. But dont question God's rules. That's the problem with Christianity. Also let me correct you, Islam as a name came in 600s but the real message existed from the dawn of time starting with Adam. But the message got changed again amd again and again by people. Plus if Quran came 1000s of years ago, then peoplen wont understand. So God revealed different books from time to time. The only surviving Abrahamic Relgions are zorasterism, judaism and christianity. But they are in their corrupted form. That's Islam as a message always existed. But by name it came in 600s I never said you should wear hijab 24/7. You can walk freely at home but not outside as per islamic rules. I agree that hijab is not just for women but for men too. Men are not supposed to show their thighs, chest and of course private parts. I agreed to some of your points but you didn't agree to anyone.

We wear it outside don’t worry

Didn't God establish the Church?

@@richardashley2084 In some sense yes. But the clothing you wear as a priest is not part of God's command. It's an institution of the church itself to symbolise something. I'm fine with that. But don't call it spiritual sacrifice. That's elevating it too high.

@iMakz In certain sense yes. But, about what church are we talking? A church institution? Then I want to know which? And what about the people that don't belong to that denomination? I think it's more about the body of Christ, the believers from all denominations.

@@SaintOtter The Orthodox Church is what we're discussing, obviously. The channel is an Orthodox channel. Orthodoxy is not a denomination. That is only in Protestantism. The Body of Christ is the people of the Orthodox Church.

Then you should become Orthodox

Orthodox Christianity followed all the commands of God Iong before the time of Muhammad.

This is the Holy Orthodox Faith he is expressing... It is much older than Islam..

Dear Augusta, your comment has touched me so that I decided to try and give my reaction to it, hoping it can do some good and be of some spiritual help. If not, forgive me and may God assist you and bring you peace in Christ. Firstly, have you considered the fact that this "Stone-Age-Bronze Age-Iron Age mind set" you talk about is simply the mindset of the Scriptures given to us by God through the Prophets and the Apostles? I think the reason why you have this feeling of "non belonging" to the Church - which is indeed a very sad and grieving situation - is because your socio-cultural presuppositions are not of the Church, but of a secularized "modernist" viewpoint which is not in adequacy with what God has taught us through Revelation and Tradition. You are very correct to say that "there’s no place for a woman who is independent from men to convert honestly into the Orthodox Church", because our God and our Fathers have never taught this outlandish idea that a woman could really be what God wants her and created her to be while being (delusively) "independent from men". The book of Genesis teaches us the beauty of the creation of Adam and Eve, and how Adam, feeling lonely on his own, asked for "an auxiliary", someone to be in union and communion with and sweep away loneliness of heart (we could say a kind of ontological loneliness due to lack of communion). God granted Adam what he wished and created Eve from Adam's very flesh, which has a very deep and beautiful meaning, and must be believed in the literal as well as in the symbolical sense (our Fathers, in their exegesis of Genesis, always combine the two and do not oppose them). What the Bible teaches us is that a woman really "independent from men" can only be a profoundly sad and unhappy woman, in her heart of hearts, because she denies the very ontological meaning of her being : to be a companion to men, to be one flesh with her husband and accept in all humility to observe obedience towards him. St Paul's "Epistle to Ephesians" is also a very deep and important revealed text that teaches us the meaning of marriage and the hierarchical relationship between wife and husband (as related to the hierarchical relationship between the Church and Christ). But it should always be emphasized that, in the true Christian view, hierarchy does not necessarily imply oppression and gratuitous domination (so that "machismo" is rejected along with "feminism" as both being a falling away from God's will). At the same time when St Paul asserts that a wife should be obedient to her husband's will as the Church is to Christ's, he adds also that a husband should love his wife just like Christ loves the Church. Thus the hierarchy of function between man and woman in family and society is based on obedience and love in synchronicity, and not one without the other : love without obedience quickly ends up in anarchy and selfishness, while obedience without true love is worth nothing and only dries the heart and engenders hate and resentment. There is a profound mystery of love at stake in this holy equilibrium of obedience/humility and love, and we should all strive to protect it and live by it, according to God's will. Yet, there is another way proposed to women as to men to live a life in Christ : virginity and monasticism, which are also holy and good, though they cannot be imposed on anyone and must remain a personal call (even for future clergymen who do not desire to live a family life). This angelic way of life, as well as the attainment of personal sanctity, is open to both man and woman, regardless of their necessary and God-willed differing hierarchical function in society and family. Mount Athos is an exception in the history of the Church and an exception that gives beautiful spiritual fruits even for women (many feminine monasteries depend from an Athonite monastery and are blessed by this spiritual bond), it is unfair to only take an exceptional case to judge the Orthodox Church as a whole, as if there were no beautiful feminine monasteries as well, giving beautiful spiritual fruits and examples of saintly women living in Christ. One can attain sanctity and perfect deification in Christ without setting foot on Mount Athos, so it should not really be a sufficient reason to depart from the Church of Christ. Mount Athos must be humbly accepted and regarded as an exception willed by God and the Mother of God and providing us with many holy men changing our lives and praying for us all night and day. "You have to be raised and have your inferior position ingrained in you from the cradle to be in honest alignment with that mindset". No, actually you just have to question the very presuppositions in which you were raised (which are maybe not from God - like the outlandish idea, to a genuine Christian ear, that women should have the same function as men in society and family) and have faith in the Holy Scriptures and the Apostolic Tradition. Maybe it's what has been "ingrained in you from the cradle" (or from your own socio-cultural background) that is a problem in God's eyes, being in contradiction with His Word and the Church He founded on the rock of faith. There cannot be true Christianity where there is not complete reverence toward Revelation and Tradition, a sincere fear of God and love for his laws and commandments. Maybe this sincere fear and love are no longer "ingrained" in us in modern society, precisely because those new values are being put forward since a few centuries by ungodly people, mostly Atheists or free-masonic Deists who do not care about the commandments of God (take a look at the History of Feminism and its view of Christianity and religion in general, and you will be edified on this point). The problem you mention is not a problem that the Church of Christ has, but a problem that you personally have with Christianity proper, because of your own socio-cultural presuppositions, when it comes to the functional hierarchical relation between man and woman (which does not hinder the ontological equality of dignity before God and salvation/deification). It is a beautiful thing to study theology and the Trinity, and to admire the fullness and perfection of the Divine Wisdom on this topic, but it remains useless if in the end you do not wish to live your life by the standards given to us by this very same Trinity through the Scriptures. Theology cannot be divorced from life, and Christianity cannot be divorced from Revelation and Tradition (in the holy sense of the word, not mere "custom", but what has been handed down from Christ to us through apostolic teaching - for example the "male-only" priesthood, which is clearly instituted by God in the "Exodus" and "Leviticus"). "It is a lifelong sadness for me that I could not belong", this is a touching confession and it proves you really want in your heart of hearts to be part of the Church of Christ and live in communion with it, because it is the abode of Life in Person, and a spring of grace. This is what lead me to write this long comment : that you may maybe understand more deeply what is at stake here, and, God-willing, convert your heart to the full Christian doctrine and worldview (for it is a fully coherent and all-encompassing worldview given by Christ and the Fathers of the Church, not just a few notions impacting only our intellectual life, but a mystery that concerns the whole man and the whole woman, in private as well as in public life, in intellectual as well as in spiritual and physical life, and that's the beauty of it - that te whole man as well as the whole woman might be transfigured by the life in Christ, which is also life in and by the Church). I will end with my own testimony : even though a man, I must say I wasn't raised our "ingrained" with anything that would prepare me for this life in the Church I'm talking about, but nevertheless I have been changed deeply by it, accepting to change my worldview (that is included in the process of true conversion), my presuppositions, and welcome as holy and sacred the Revelation of God and the Spirit-filled writings of the Fathers. I am personally deeply touched and moved as well by these pious Orthodox women who accept in all humility of heart the traditions of the Church without judging them according to foreign standards, but seeing everything that is prescribed to them as a tool for salvation and sanctification. I am much more moved by this humility in imitation of Christ and the Mother of God than by the usual pride and selfishness displayed today by most of the women in my surrounding, taking everything for granted, talking down to men as a habit and falling in ridiculous indignation for the slightest remark. Honestly, "modern women" have lost all spiritual beauty to me, and if they remain that way, in rebellion and in "superbia" (which is the mark of Satan), they will never be of any deep assistance to any man and will completely lose what makes them precious and necessary in the eyes of God : examples of humility, tenderness, purity, obedience, and so forth, all that men need, truly need in order to find spiritual balance in their lives ; and God meant it to be so, and he "saw that is was good". I can say all this while having been raised in a modern Western family with Atheist and hedonist left-wing values, and as a deeply "Romantic" heart who has nonetheless undergone a sincere conversion to Orthodoxy and has never regretted it. I hope the same for you, that you may live in that wonderful grace the Church dispenses to us, when we truly choose to live by its holy standards. May God bless you and guide your steps!

@@theophan9530 God bless you Brother for your compassionate, well constructed reply. I grew up in a moderately feminist household, but w a very pious Roman Catholic grandmother nearby. It didn't take much observational skill to see that following a more traditional, Christian life bore richer fruit. Eventually my husband & I were received into the Orthodox Church. My siblings & many of my cousins built their "houses on the sandy foundations" of secularism, & divorces & shallow life goals follow. I pray that the Lord may yet reach their hearts. Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on me a sinner +

I don't feel any of that. I don't feel subservient to men in a general sense. I cover my head out of submission to God, not man. We all have to humble ourselves. Everyone is subservient to someone in Orthodoxy. We all are to be in submission to God ultimately. Men aren't allowed in strict convents, keep in mind. In our Parish women do many things, running the Parish basically like a household like a wife should.

Yes, the Theotokos is one. She is a model to all Orthodox, men & women. We can never be grateful enough for her, as our salvation came through her--through her we have Life, Truth, the Way, in other words, through her, we have our God, our Lord, our Savior, our Life. But we don't worship her.

Submission is not subservience. Christ is our example, who freely submits to the Father, but is in no way inferior or subordinate to the Father. Ephesians 5 mentions mutual submission of the members of the Body to one another before describing wifely submission to a husband. We are all to submit to one another in love. In other places, the Epistles mention rules for decorum when women are “prophesying” in Church, so “silence” is not absolute, but has a context. Context is important. Women were to remain silent in the context of the Liturgy (apart from when those called to prophesy exercised their gift) because there is a need for order and decorum in the services. Women sometimes chant the Epistle or OT readings in my parish. We sing in the choir and can be elected to serve on the parish council. Ultimately all who serve in the Church-men and women-do so only with a blessing from their Bishop and Priest. Our Hierarchs are those who will have to give an account before God for the souls entrusted to their care and whether what they are teaching is correct.

Its not true at all

We have boxes of scarves in the narthex for women and basic skirts too. Women and girls are not permitted to the Holy Eucharist without a headcovering. It is submission to God to wear one in the temple as we are His handmaidens. What is precious is veiled in Holy Orthodoxy. Sadly modernism crept into certain jurisdictions and they don't enforce it. Why do women want to be like men? I don't get it.

We must humble ourselves. It is not judgmental to do as the pious women of the Church have always done including the Theotokos.

Stop being this sensitive,no one said that you’re less orthodox

Why is it hard to wear a scarf on your head? It's not like something unchangable about you. I just ordered some scarves 5 minutes ago. They'll be here on Tuesday. Who do you seek to please, God or man? Maybe you could begin the change. But the bad spirit won't get better if you continue to let it stay. We are to take up our cross.

@@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr God himself knows why I do not, and He does not condemn me. Do not mistake taking up stones for taking up a cross.

@@fstri757 We're all on a journey and God knows where we should be on it. You're going to let other people make you feel like you can't follow God because it might make them feel judged for not following God?

I've been Orthodox in America for 15 years. A lot of woman wear scarves. It's a tradition and beautiful. I'm a hairdresser whose always looking at hair. This stops me and others from focusing on hair. Our Lord ( and the Theotokos) are the focus, not us. So if someone is a bad example doesn't mean we should follow them. The saints are our example

It is required at our Parish, so yes we do in Russian tradition.

Answer=we do

Atheists struggle to answer what a woman is.. How progressive.

Humility?

Veil is mandatory outside the church at every century their is no limit of context. Some Orthodox still wear it and nun have not ended up to wear it with "modern context"

St John Chrysostom Homily on Corinthians "He thus shows that it is not only in the time of prayer, but always, that the woman must be veiled. (...) He does not want her only to be veiled, but completely veiled, enveloped in all over."

Do you think yesterday they were angels and not today ? Do you think we mut listen to Church Fathers or unknow modern theologians ?

"And she will never fall, who puts before her eyes modesty, and her shawl; nor will she invite another to fall into sin by uncovering her face. For this is the wish of the Word" Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.290

St. Ambrose declared that casting off the veil is an act of lust and immodesty: "Is anything so conducive to lust as with unseemly movements thus to expose in nakedness those parts of the body which either nature has hidden or custom has veiled, to sport with the looks, to turn the neck, to loosen the hair? Fitly was the next step an offense against God. For what modesty can there be? ”" Concerning Virgins, Book III

You dislike what's written even within the letters of St. Paul if you dislike this video. Episcopalians(they're dying, they will need you), is something you like. After-all it's your own desires that you follow, - not Gods Will.

I have long covered in church and dressed modestly and I give respect to those who have earned it. I have had to take a lot of guff for it, but when someone, be he bishop, priest or layman, spouts nonsense. he will hear from me--politely of course. The only One to whom I have given my life is to God, Father Son and Holy Spirit. ☦☦☦

That seems like a big leap.

Western feminism is so toxic. This is a beautiful practice. Us ladies do it out of faithfulness and love of God as we are His handmaidens.

Women of Orthodoxy (the Church of Christ) do as it is of God.

@@LadyMaria some Protestant sects wear a hanging Vail all day everyday

I am a Protestant, I believe headcovering is biblical as per 1 Corinthians 11….I wear headcovering every day and I am a Baptist

@@carriejesusislord14 May you become Orthodox Christian soon, Sister.

@@carriejesusislord14 May God bless you! I pray that a sense of Christian modesty will spread! Do they have to dress like me? Absolutely not. But ladies should cover more than some of them do.

yes If you want to.