Covering your head with a scarf in church is a mandatory requirement for girls from the age of 7, since the time of the preaching of the apostles of Christ. This Orthodox tradition is strictly observed, and temple zealots will not allow you to attend services, baptisms, or weddings without such an accessory. Therefore, before going on a trip, be sure to purchase a suitable model that should completely hide your hair and, if necessary, your neckline. It is also unacceptable to come with bare shoulders, so the product can be chosen in large sizes to solve several problems at the same time.
Can tradition become obsolete?
For example, why worship is held this way and not otherwise. Or why exactly these attributes are used, and not some others.
Therefore, the first and most correct answer as to why one cannot go without a headscarf is because this is the tradition of the Orthodox Church. And those who accept this faith must follow its dogmas and traditions unquestioningly and not question them.
The opinion about the outdated tradition began from the moment when some clergy started talking about it. And this happened in the process of increased secularization of the church and attempts to attract as many parishioners as possible.
Some people think that since no one wears headscarves now, girls and women can come with their heads uncovered. This is motivated by the fact that it is better to visit a temple without a headscarf than not to go there at all.
In some monasteries, upon entering, visitors are given different sizes of hats. Among them you may find a lace scarf and snood.
Sometimes, to enter the territory of a temple or monastery, it is enough to throw a hood over your head.
How much this corresponds to Orthodox traditions is difficult to understand. The rules of church worship oblige a woman to enter the temple with her head covered. It doesn’t seem to matter what exactly she puts on her hair, the main thing is that it is covered.
The secularization of religion in attempts to attract parishioners has led to the fact that fasting is considered permissible in a relaxed form, the main thing being attending church.
The same is the case with the strict rules of some major holidays, during which the church allowed conditional actions to be performed. Although there are predeterminations that until recently it was customary to follow.
The indignation of those who address the obsolescence of headscarves, while covering their heads in church with various substitutes, is incomprehensible. Some people use a neck stole, while others use a lace scarf through which the hair is completely visible.
Solid colors for special days
The red scarf is intended for Easter and for services before the Ascension Day. Red is the color of blood. On the one hand, the red color symbolizes the strong love of Jesus Christ for people: it is for them that he sacrifices his life and sheds his blood. But in another meaning, the red color means the blood of the martyrs, which they shed for their faith in Christ, for their fiery love for the Lord. That is why the clergy hold services in honor of the martyrs in red vestments, and women come to church in red scarves and elements of red clothing.
Blue is considered the color of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Blue is the color of the sky, it means purity, purity, spirituality. Therefore, on such church holidays as the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Intercession, the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Presentation of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple, on the day of the Placing of the Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos and the days of remembrance of the icons of the Most Holy Theotokos, it is desirable to have a blue color on the scarf and in clothing.
Green is the color of life; it represents eternal life. According to tradition, people served in green vestments on the day of the Holy Trinity, Palm Sunday, Monday of the Holy Spirit, days of remembrance of holy fools, saints and ascetics. Therefore, even today it is customary to wear a green cape on these special days. On the days of remembrance of the saints, the green color symbolizes the fact that they, being monks, were revived by merging with Jesus Christ and ascended to heaven.
Which scarf to choose for church
Meanwhile, according to church canons, it is not only predetermined what the headdress should be. But also what color to wear on what occasions, how to tie it, and who can wear this or that variety.
Shawl color
For example:
- Light, white, plain or with a small floral border, in a small pattern, can be worn to church on holidays.
- Any color other than green or black is used for a regular, everyday visit.
- Black is worn as a sign of mourning, and a plain dark color can and should be worn on days of strict fasting.
- Red is worn at Easter or all the time until the Holy Ascension.
- Green - appropriate only for Palm Sunday and Trinity.
- Flowers or small polka dots with a border are usually worn by women serving in the temple.
Don scarves, which are now heavily sold in online stores, lace and with rhinestones from Swarovski, are a thing that is absolutely contrary to the very spirit of the established tradition, which is present only in the Orthodox religion.
Special Orthodox scarves
There are special Orthodox scarves. For example, a scarf-hood with ties under the chin that are worn on the head. The ties are sewn on a drawstring.
A hat worn and tied under the chin usually does not fall off. It can also be worn by a woman who is not accustomed to such an outfit.
You can use any scarf as a scarf. For a girl, the main thing is that it does not slip off her head. A traditional scarf for church should be medium in size. It is important that it can be tied under the chin and that it covers the hair at the back.
The dropdown does not perform the function for which it was originally intended.
How to tie a scarf to church
Important. It is of great importance exactly how to tie a scarf in church. The remaining secular profanations of custom are an imitation of tradition, but not its observance at all.
How to properly tie a scarf to church
Swarovski rhinestones used on holidays to demonstrate at what price a headdress was purchased for going to church is nothing more than pride. The Christian religion calls to fight such excesses, condemning such an outfit as one of the prohibited sins.
To understand the tradition that is called upon to be observed indirectly, you just need to understand why women in church cover their heads with a scarf.
How to sew a scarf for a temple pattern
The Don scarf can be purchased in the store. Or you can sew it yourself. It won't take much time, and even a beginner can complete this task easily.
To sew a Don headdress you will need:
- 110-120 cm light silk or guipure fabric 140-150 cm wide;
- 2-3 m of lace (optional) for edging the edges;
- 150 cm of thin satin ribbon or braided cord;
- 120 cm wings;
- 2 crystal beads or other fasteners for ribbon ends.
From the specified calculation of material (fabric), you can even get 2 scarves. It all depends on the desired volume of the product.
Cut the fabric lengthwise so that you get 2 even pieces of 140*55-60 cm. Then, fold one piece in half along the long side. On the free edges, draw an arc from one corner to the long opposite side. In the finished product, this will add length in the back and shorten it a little in the front, while still keeping your shoulders covered.
At a distance of 50-60 cm from the folded edge, the drawstring is sewn on the wrong side. The sewing line should also resemble an arc. Insert a ribbon or lace into the drawstring. Attach beads or special scarf clips to the ends. If desired, the edge of the scarf can be trimmed with lace or ribbon. And your lace holiday scarf is ready!
Origins and importance of tradition
First version from Apostle Paul
According to legend, this tradition was started by the Apostle Paul. Its origins date back to the time of his arrival in Corinth on a preaching mission.
At that time, there was a pagan temple in which the priestesses shaved their heads bald and surrendered to the glory of their goddess, thus performing an act of sacrifice.
Some of the priestesses of this temple began to profess the Christian religion. So that no one could reproach them with their past until their hair grew back, the Apostle Paul obliged everyone to wear headscarves to church.
Second version
The second version of the same event is that women with hair showed them as a warning to harlots, and this was a manifestation of pride, because everyone is equal before the Lord.
Like humility
Another interpretation of the scarf in the church is that a man was created by God in his own image and likeness. Therefore, he takes off his hat or headdress as a sign of respect before the Creator.
A woman, created by God from a man's rib, wears a headscarf to show her humility and submission to a man.
Like a vow of fidelity
There are other versions. For example, this one. By covering her hair in the temple immediately after marriage, a woman takes a vow of fidelity. She leaves the opportunity to see the hair only to the closest person - her husband.
Not only women, but also girls wear a headscarf to church to hide one of the most attractive features of their appearance.
There should be no sinful thoughts or objects of desire in the Temple of the Lord, which is why it was prescribed to wear floor-length skirts and scarves.
Important. In this case, there is no point in wearing a lace scarf, a flirty scarf with the hair straightened out from under it and tied back. It does not hide lady's charms, as is the case with a real headdress. On the contrary, it emphasizes them and attracts attention.
Men's hat
In the case of men, removing the headdress can also be interpreted differently. In Rus', a hat was a distinctive feature of a title or position, especially among government officials.
When they took off their headdress, they leveled their social or property status. The removal of the hat demonstrated to everyone that everyone is equal before the Lord.
On a note! How to light candles for health in church
White classic
White is a festive color; it is considered a symbol of celebration and joy. White is the personification of the Divine Light, therefore all great Orthodox holidays are served in white vestments: the Nativity of Christ, Epiphany, Ascension, Transfiguration, Annunciation.
On these great holidays, it is customary to wear a white scarf, as it is a symbol of purity, holiness, and spirituality. A white scarf is also worn for the Easter morning service.
Shawl color
According to most theologians and clergy, elaborate bows and bright designs are inappropriate in the church. Saint Arseny, who was very strict regarding clothes intended for the temple, more than once asked one woman to get rid of an overly colorful scarf, but she did not listen to him. One day, a saint predicted to a fashionista that her babies would die until she began to wear a more modest headscarf. When the prophecy was fulfilled, the woman finally repented and threw away the bright headdress. St. Ephraim the Syrian also called on believers to wear modest clothing.
In the modern church, certain traditions have developed regarding the colors of headdresses. Thus, during Lent, believers usually wear black scarves, on Easter - red, on Trinity - green, and on the feasts of the Mother of God - blue. On other days, parishioners usually tie white scarves on their heads.
Wearing methods
Traditionally in Russia, women tied the ends of the scarf under their chin or pinned them with a pin. The historian G. Maslova in her book “Folk Clothing of Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians in the 19th – Early 20th Centuries” calls the latter method one of the most ancient. This is due to the fact that this particular image turned out to be most similar to the image on the icons of the Virgin Mary.
However, Hieromonk Roman (Kropotov) responded to one of the parishioners on the website of the St. Paphnutev Monastery that, in his opinion, the scarf can be worn however you like. He himself finds it strange when some priests approve overly strict rules for hats.
Woman in church - dress code features
Hair is the most striking decoration. That is why it is customary to hide them in the temple so as not to attract undue attention. Servants declare that a woman with her head uncovered commits a sin by approaching icons, offering prayer, or attending services. Submission, loyalty to her husband, humility with the will of God - this is exactly what a scarf is needed for, which is a symbol of purity, confirmation that the lady is ready to repent.
In addition to the scarf, there are requirements for clothing - it should be modest, discreet, the skirt should reach the knees, and the “top” should not expose the neckline and shoulders.
How can you tie a scarf into a temple so that it doesn’t fall off?
When a person visits a temple, it means that he believes. Therefore, everyone who enters the church must adhere to certain rules of behavior in it. In addition, there are some requirements for the appearance of those who decide to communicate with God in this holy place.
Before entering the temple, you need to distract yourself from everyday problems and prepare yourself for complacency.
It is also very important to choose the right clothes. For example, a woman should not wear shorts or trousers to church. It is better to choose a modest dress or skirt below the knee. Clothing should be such that arms and legs are covered. You should not wear T-shirts or sleeveless tops, tracksuits and open shoes, such as sandals, to the temple. In general, clothing should be modest and discreet, without any bright accessories or provocative accents. Makeup also should not be too bright, or perhaps completely absent.
It is interesting that during Lent, believers go to church in dark-colored clothes, and during holidays, light-colored clothes are preferred.
It is also very important to know that a woman should enter church with her head covered. Most often this is a scarf. A headscarf on a woman's head is a symbol of modesty. The Apostle Paul said that when a woman's head is covered, this is a sign to the angels.
When women go to temple very rarely, they do not know how best to tie a scarf so that it looks aesthetically pleasing and does not fall off.
One of the simplest methods for solving this problem is to purchase a special scarf, which you simply need to throw over your head and fasten or tie a lace in the neck area.
You can take a large scarf yourself and fasten it with a pin in the neck area.
If the scarf is not silk, it will not fall off if you simply throw it over your head, cross the ends of the scarf near your neck and throw them back.
If you are not sure that the scarf will not fall off, you can tie it at the back with one loose knot. In this case, the bangs should be hidden under a scarf. This is the most common method of tying scarves when attending church.
Some people simply tie a scarf under their chin.
Another common and reliable way to tie a scarf is to tie it only on the head, without touching the neck. That is, cover your forehead with it and tie it at the back of your head.
It is very important to remember that in church people open their souls to God, ask the Lord for something hidden and important, and pray for forgiveness for sins. Therefore, you need to take into account the feelings of other people, dress and behave appropriately in this place.
www.websovetik.com
