Why should ladies cover their heads when going to church? There are various reasons why you should wear a headscarf to church. Let's start with the fact that in the Orthodox Church, covering a woman's head is a tradition. Traditions, as everyone understands, originate in the history of our land. Since ancient times, Slavic young ladies covered their hair. It’s worth thinking about, since not only the Slavs have such a culture, most peoples of the world have the habit of covering their heads. There were a number of reasons for this. One of these is the belief that covering the hair and head in general protects against the evil eye and any other negative force directed at a person. This is especially important for women and girls, as they are especially sensitive to mental energy. In addition, it is known from written sources that covering the head symbolized the power of a husband over his wife - a scarf on a lady’s head meant that she was under the guardianship of a man.
The scarf was a continuation of the hairstyle, which showed the status of the woman. One of the rational explanations for wearing a headscarf was the need to shelter from the scorching sun or cold winds.
Currently, in addition to tradition as a reason to wear a scarf to church, there are a number of other important reasons. As a rule, a beautiful woman attracts the attention of other people, which makes it difficult for them to concentrate on prayer. In order not to attract unnecessary attention to yourself and to add a little modesty and chastity to your appearance, you need to wear a headscarf. The scarf covers the hair from the fire, of which there is usually a lot in the church. A scarf makes it easier to remove your hair without difficulty and create a good hairstyle.
Legend
There are several versions of why a woman should wear a headscarf. One of them says that a long time ago people could come to the temple in any clothes. Which did not always please God. Therefore, he decided to send a message motivating the introduction of a certain dress code. One night, the girl had a dream that said that if she visited the temple in a headscarf and skirt, then all her prayers would be answered. In addition, she will have a patron angel who will help in every possible way in life. And these items of clothing will help you recognize her among other girls. It’s easy to guess that for her next visit to church the girl chose a long skirt and a headscarf for the temple. In response to the surprised questions of others about her appearance, the girl talked about her vision.
Since everyone wanted to get what they asked for, the tradition of wearing a headscarf and skirt spread very quickly and became the norm for everyone.
Will there be a buyer for the soul?
What does his most famous work offer the reader? Methods of summoning dark forces from otherworldly dimensions, methods of selling an immortal soul to the Devil himself for earthly goods? Not really…
The philosophy of Satanism as outlined by LaVey in the Satanic Bible is as far from metaphysics and immaterial as possible. It is just as far from the traditional generally accepted concepts of morality, duty, goodness and justice. Instead, it combines Nietzscheanism, objectivism, rational egoism and the occult.
In other words, it rejects collectivism, unrequited altruism, the desire for non-material goals (God, nirvana, paradise, ancestral spirits, etc.). LaVey's Satanic Bible represents the rejection of religion, the installation of personal goals, personal happiness, personal success, material and tangible achievements at the head of one's own life. The Satanic Bible offers natural human desires, which are nothing more than desires inherited from animals, intellect and reason, as means to help accomplish this. The author sees occultism and “magic” as a way for the mind to take control and influence one’s own emotions and the emotions of other people, a way to appeal to a person’s natural inclinations. In other words, magic, rituals and similar acts in the Satanic Bible mean only the impact on the irrational nature of people’s emotions, their sensations, feelings and state, and not an appeal to otherworldly forces.
LaVey finds that all the qualities that are traditionally accepted as sinful - pride, greed, anger, gluttony, lust, envy and laziness, are sources of thirst for life and pleasure from it, and are quite capable, being properly balanced and subordinated to the mind, to serve it for the benefit, and not at all lead to personality degradation. For example, pride encourages you to achieve more, greed allows you to concentrate resources, anger gives you the strength to overcome obstacles... All these feelings involve you in the struggle of life, which Anton LaVey considers more worthy and real than all kinds of spiritual experiences.
Apostle Paul
It was from his words that the tradition of a woman entering church with her head covered began. The scarf symbolizes her submission to her husband. It acts as a sign of power. When a woman gets married, she takes on new responsibilities. Now she is in charge of the house, keeping calm and peace in it. She is responsible for her children and husband before God. During a wedding in church, the scarf must completely cover the newlywed's head. It is a symbol of humility and agreement to accept new responsibilities. And also a scarf on a woman’s head speaks of her consent to be a faithful wife.
And it was believed that without him it was shameful for a woman to be in God’s house, to pray for something and venerate the icon and the cross.
The Apostle said that a woman should either shave her head or cover her hair with a scarf. Paul's recommendation quickly became a tradition that has survived to this day.
Anton Lavey - what is known about the author of The Satanic Bible
Anton Sandor LaVey is known not only as the author of the Satanic Bible, but also the founder of a special, modernized version of Satanism and the founder of the first officially recognized church of Satanists.
Anton Sandor Lavey
Anton Sandor Lavey is not his real name, but a pseudonym. A completely different name was written on his documents - Howard Stanton Levy. He was born in Chicago in 1930, the son of a liquor salesman.
LaVey's last partner and widow is Blanche Barton, the chief priestess of the Satanic Church. From this union a child was born, named Satan Xerxes Carnaki Lavey. Blanche Barton has written several books, including her The Secret Life of a Satanist, which focuses on the biography of Anton Sandor LaVey, modern Satanism, and the role of the church in their lives.
Satan Xerxes Carnacki is not the only child of the most famous Satanist. He has two more daughters, from his first and second marriages. Zina—that’s the name of one of them—was openly at odds with her father, and after his death she repeatedly gave interviews, which were recognized by the society of Satanists as lies and fiction. Much of the testimony of Zina and her husband Nicholas Schreck was exposed as a forgery by Blanche Barton.
Thus, the Shrek couple claimed that their relative had been repeatedly subject to allegations of sexual perversion and domestic violence, but there was no evidence of this. Blanche Barton and other followers of LaVey note the intensity and inappropriateness of Zina’s and Nicholas’s desires to undermine the authority of the creator of the Satanic Bible.
The future creator of The Satanic Bible spent almost his entire life in San Francisco. He appreciated classical music, had a perfect ear for music and was fond of playing keyboard instruments - he was especially attracted to the organ.
Since childhood, Anton Lavey was fond of dark literature - horror and mysticism, he liked German impressionism. Historical figures who have aroused his admiration since childhood are Rasputin and Count Cagliostro, as well as the legendary Count Saint-Germain.
According to his statements, at this time he had a brief affair with Marilyn Monroe, but this moment from the biography of the Black Pope is in great doubt. Zina Lavey, his daughter, also refuted him. She claimed that her mother forged evidence of this affair - Marilyn Monroe's autograph and signature.
After some time, Anton Lavey returned home. He took a position as a photographer in the police department, while simultaneously researching paranormal phenomena. According to some sources, LaVey was a member of several banned Zionist groups at this time.
In 1952, Anton LaVey married Carol Lensing, who became the mother of the mystic's first daughter, Carla Maritza LaVey. In 1960, he became interested in another woman - Diana Hegarty, the mother of Zina Galatea Lavey, who was baptized into the Church of Satan at the age of three and whose relationship with her father clearly left much to be desired. Perhaps the matter was the breakdown of the family due to the appearance of another woman in LaVey’s life - Blanche Barton.
Even before the opening of the Church of Satan, Anton gained fame in the area. He was known as a paranormal investigator and a popular organist. On Fridays, LaVey gave lectures for people who were interested in Satanism and the occult sciences. He called these meetings the Magic Circle, and they pushed him to create the Church of Satan.
Anton Sandor Lavey died on October 29, 1997 from pulmonary edema in a Catholic hospital - he was taken there because this hospital was the closest. The followers of the founder of a separate branch of Satanism gave birth to the myth that the Black Pope died on Halloween night. His funeral was secret, they took place in the small town of Colma in California. The body was cremated and the ashes were preserved by followers.
Other versions
People come to the temple in search of peace, for joint prayers and conversations with God. To ensure that nothing distracts from this, it is required that clothing be as formal as possible. A woman has attractive parts of her body that can distract views and thoughts. Therefore, they should wear long skirts and closed blouses. Hair was one of those intimate features that only the husband was allowed to see. That's why the scarf is in the temple - to cover your hair. And in worldly life, a woman was supposed to cover her head. It was also believed that it receives energy from the earth, and in order for it to be stored in the body and not evaporate through the crown, a barrier must be created.
The opposite rule applies to men. Before entering the temple, they must remove their headdress. By doing this they demonstrate their respect and complete trust in God. Because by exposing your head, you remove your full protection.
Previously, when wearing various hats was extremely popular, one could understand from them what status their owner had in society. Since the house of God did not recognize social and public hierarchy, entering it, one had to forget about one’s importance in worldly life. The headdress was removed, since everyone is equal in the church. This rule was important during wars, since enemies on the field should not be enemies in the temple, since this place is free of them.
Teaching
A new form of Satanism began with the founding of the Church of Satan by Anton LaVey on April 30, 1966. Modern Satanism began to develop in different directions at once by several groups, which subsequently separated from each other. The Church of Satan arose from an attempt to create a corporeal religion - consciously opposed to the spiritual nature of existing religions - that would combine the decorative elements of Western ceremonial magic and the occult with the teachings of various materialist philosophers under the auspices of the archetype of Satan, a symbol of opposition and a fighter against authority. The Church adheres to the principles of the philosophy of pragmatism and hedonism and does not recognize Satan as a real entity. She supports the development of strong individuals who want to achieve success in life on their own and do not harm other people. Current head of the Church of Satan, Peter H. Gilmore, describes its members as "skeptical atheists"
.
Drawing on Epicureanism, many of LaVey's teachings focused on self-affirmation and satisfaction of the physical and mental nature of the individual. He considered Satan to be a Promethean character, symbolizing self-indulgence, vital existence, unclouded wisdom, kindness towards those who deserve it and vengeance towards enemies. The Church also teaches responsibility for one's actions, the understanding that man is only an animal, and that some so-called sins lead to physical and mental satisfaction. According to LaVey, Satan represents all of these values.
The Church of Satan believes that everyone should live by their own rules, although they condemn criminal behavior and the use of illegal drugs. Sex and self-preservation are recognized as the strongest instincts, and for this reason man is like an animal. (The Church encourages only sex with mature adults.) The most important calendar holidays are: the first and most revered - the individual's birthday; Walpurgisnacht, celebrated on April 30, is the traditional Sabbath of Witches, as well as the founding day of the organization; and Halloween, which is also celebrated at night, when, according to legend, dark forces are released.
Rituals are perceived as psychodramas and magical acts focused on the acquisition of psychokinetic energy. "Black Mass", the text for the ritual of the traditional Black Mass, is included in Anton LaVey's book Satanic Rituals
"(1972). The Mass is considered a cleansing ritual during which, through psychodrama, individuals are freed from the oppression of the terrifying power of the sacred. Contrary to the popular belief that this ritual is the main rite, the Black Mass is performed only in exceptional cases for those individuals who feel the negative influence of Christianity.
LaVey defined magic as “the change of a situation or event by the will of an individual that could not be changed by conventional methods.”
. In LaVeyan Satanism, magic was used to gain material gain, personal influence, harming enemies, and achieving success in love and sex. Church members could practice magical acts, which LaVey defined as high and low magic. High magic is ritual practices designed to induce psychodramatic catharsis in a person to focus emotional energy on a specific goal; lower magic is the practice of manipulation using applied psychology, as well as cunning and cunning, to bend a person or situation to one's will.
The opposite approach
It is interesting that not all Orthodox churches support the obligation for women to wear a headscarf for church. For example, women are required to enter Greek temples only with their heads uncovered.
In the Ukrainian city of Akhtyrka there is a temple in which there is an image of the Mother of God with her head uncovered with a scarf. Women also enter it without hats.
Since the obligation to cover a woman’s head is quite controversial, there are opinions that this is a social norm that can be changed. Therefore, girls in some churches do not wear headscarves, since parishioners there have adopted other traditions regarding appearance.
Shawl color
Women who are little familiar with the rules of church etiquette do not know that the choice of color and ornament of a scarf for a church plays an important role.
So, secular ladies who enter the temple only on the occasion of some event are recommended to have at least three options for this headdress:
- Pastel light colors. It can be plain or with a soft pattern, such as a flower. It is supposed to be worn on the occasion of holidays. You can opt for a simple white scarf.
- A plain dark scarf is tied on the head on the occasion of mourning and on fasting days.
- An ordinary scarf, any color. It can be plain or with an ornament. You will need it if you need to go to church on a regular day.
Those who are much closer to the church and attend it regularly usually have a whole collection of these hats in their wardrobe. For example, the color red is relevant at Easter and in the subsequent period until the Ascension. On Palm Sunday and the days of the Holy Trinity, a green scarf is worn. And those with a floral pattern are usually worn by women who help the temple and do dirty jobs.
Satan's Bible
The Satanic Bible was written in 1967, a year after the religion was founded. The book is dedicated to the four princes of Hell: Lucifer, Leviathan, Satan and Belial. A separate section is devoted to each of these princes. Anton LaVey's Satan Bible does not encourage the reader to worship the devil. According to many critics, it bears little resemblance to ancient Satanism and the Devil's Bible, whose origins date back to the 12th and 13th centuries. The Satanic Bible by Anton Sandor LaVey was written according to his own princes and worldview.
The introduction was written not by the author himself, but by a famous journalist who has more than once devoted his articles to satanic topics and covered the religious life of the Church of Satan in the press.
The preface to The Bible of Satan by Anton Sandor LaVey describes the reasons and circumstances that prompted the author to write the book, which became a worldwide bestseller. Here the writer clearly mocks people who devote their lives to some kind of magic, calling them charlatans and swindlers, saying that these people independently cloud their minds, doing useless things, without ever knowing the truth.
How to tie?
Not everyone knows how to tie a scarf into a temple. The most correct way is to simply tie the ends under the chin. This method is also the simplest. If it does not hold well and falls off, then you should wrap it around your neck and tie it at the back. To do this, the headdress must be of sufficient length. If the product is short, then you can cover your forehead with it and tie it at the back. But to avoid difficulties, you can purchase ready-made Orthodox scarves. They resemble a hood and are secured with special ties under the chin. In stores you can find a sufficient assortment of colors, so you can choose an option for any occasion. Usually, not much attention is paid to how the scarf is tied. The fact that it exists is much more important.
Despite the fact that life has changed, for a person who is a believer and respects the church, there are traditional rules of behavior in it. They also apply to clothing, which is why women still wear a headscarf for the temple, although some consider this an outdated tradition.
