Can good looks be considered a sin? A person does not choose how to be born.
It seems to me that this approach to the issue of beauty is very narrow. Why is it only supposed to talk about female beauty? Beauty Day concerns beauty in general - art, culture, aesthetics. I would like to focus on the inner component of beauty. An artist is not only someone who knows how to paint pictures or do something else creatively, but also someone who knows how to notice the beautiful in the world around them: flowers, clouds, trees. Let us remember how Saint John of Kronstadt kissed flowers with the words: “I kiss the hand that created you.” Everything in the world is so complex and beautifully created that it is impossible not to admire the Creator’s plan.
If we narrow the topic and talk about female beauty, what can we say? Woman is the crown of creation, since she was created last. The substance from which Adam was taken is rough: it is earth, clay. A woman is created from a completely different material - from a rib, that is, from a living creation. This means that a woman is the most beautiful and most perfect creature on earth.
Beauty and a sense of beauty are inherent in man by nature. We can look at the world around us and through it know our Creator and Maker. It is natural to enjoy female beauty. It’s like with food: God wanted us to enjoy eating it. What sin is this? Everything is from God, and beauty too. It is He who creates all these plexuses of chromosomes, the individuality of each person. Beauty is natural for the world created by God; it is no coincidence that Fyodor Mikhailovich said that it would save the world.
Of course, everyone has their own perception of beauty. Some people like dyed hair, bright makeup, false eyelashes, super manicure. Such a girl goes and thinks that she looks the best. But a person brought up differently does not perceive it. It’s like with music: someone who has been listening to the classics since childhood cannot take modern “untsa-untsa” seriously. There are people who love a chaste appearance. In this regard, I remember the famous boxer Mohammed Ali. One day he saw his daughter in open clothes and said that female beauty should be hidden from prying eyes, just as everything expensive is hidden in nature: gold, pearls, diamonds.
It seems to me that now there is a degradation in the perception of beauty, some kind of vulgarization. Girls are told that it is fashionable to be a bitch; from TV and computer screens there is a wave of some kind of aggressive feminism, which in general undermines not only the psyche of women, but the foundations of the family. Humanity and its entire history rest on the family. That’s why it’s so important what we consider beautiful: if what is vulgar and vulgar is considered beautiful, then these qualities will be valued in women. What will happen if women with such qualities are chosen as wives? If a girl grew up in a chaste family, where she was raised by both her father and mother, then, most likely, everything will be fine in her life - the example of the mother and the authority of the father, even without words, do their job and put the child on the right track. A guy looking for a girl to start a family, and not for sexual experience, will look for a person with the appropriate appearance, behavior, and internal structure. This is also a matter of education.
Why did the church prohibit makeup, although it is not prohibited in the canons?
Photo: Flickr.com
There is no sin associated with the use of cosmetics in the church canons and apostolic rules, but throughout history, women with brightly colored makeup were not allowed to enter churches. This happened for several reasons related to the customs of that time:
- In the 12th-15th centuries, Russians practically did not use cosmetics or used it only at carnivals and holidays, and not only women, but also men wore makeup, changing themselves beyond recognition. Because of the bright makeup and carnival costumes, sometimes it was impossible to distinguish a man from a woman and vice versa. The priests did not allow such people into churches, because the service was not a circus performance. In addition, buffoons (artists of that time), to whom the church had a negative attitude, wore bright makeup. It was believed that those who were engaged in artistic activities had no soul, so they were even buried outside cemeteries next to suicides.
- In later times, makeup was considered an indicator of nobility - only the richest ladies could afford powder, lipstick and much more. Russian girls have always loved to put on makeup, change black to white, but with the advent and spread of brothels in pre-revolutionary Russia, a decent girl was ashamed to appear with too much makeup. The church did not prohibit appearing wearing makeup in churches, but at that time they looked askance at a girl who came to the service wearing heavy makeup. Since at that time lipstick was only red, and, therefore, very bright and, according to the rules of that time, a vulgar girl who came to the temple with painted lips could ruin her reputation with such a bold appearance, so decent brides did not wear makeup to the temple.
The Holy Scriptures note that cosmetics in themselves are not a sin if used in their original meaning. That is, by painting her eyes, lips, improving the condition of her skin and hair, nails, a girl or woman does not do anything sinful, unless she really corrects her appearance and does not turn herself into something unrecognizable. Excessive use of cosmetics is not a sin in itself, but it can provoke certain sins.
If you are tired and look bad, before visiting the temple you can carefully apply makeup and powder to your eyes, but it should not be too bright and catchy.
Recommendations for appearance at a child's baptism
Christians consider baptism a holiday. Therefore, when going to church, choose a modest, but elegant and elegant ensemble for yourself.
Choosing a formal outfit
When choosing clothes for christening, pay attention to natural fabrics in light neutral tones: white, blue, soft pink, peach, cream, apricot. A discreet print is allowed.
The ideal option is a closed elegant dress below the knees in white, complemented by a stylish jacket or jacket. The head must be covered with a silk scarf .
A woman in a fashionable floor-length outfit will look very advantageous.
For this occasion, a long-sleeved blouse of a simple cut that matches the skirt or is a little lighter is also suitable.
Important! It is better to immediately abandon deep necklines and tight-fitting models.
Preference is given to gentle, feminine images, in accordance with the event.
Church dress code for women
The best option is the “maxi” or midi, which is fashionable this season. The strict business style of a knee-length pencil skirt fits perfectly in this regard.
Important! No trousers, shorts or jeans. An indispensable condition is closed shoulders. It can be easily accomplished by choosing long sleeves or three-quarter sleeves.
In the summer heat, the godmother can wear a sleeveless model, throwing a thin scarf over her shoulders.
This option is good for guests, while the godmother, taking the baby in her arms, may involuntarily throw off the cape and expose her bare shoulders, which is unacceptable.
A mandatory condition for women when entering the temple is to cover their heads . A skillfully tied scarf will decorate your look and add unique charm. An excellent choice for baptism are scarves in white and light beige tones.
Headdresses that are cream, peach, light blue, lavender, or “ivory” or “smoky rose” are perfect.
Shoes
There are no strict canons here. When buying shoes, use common sense and a sense of comfort. First of all, keep in mind that you will have to stand for a long time.
Therefore, it is better to immediately put the high heels and platforms aside. But feel free to wear comfortable flat shoes.
An excellent choice is closed ankle boots, light or “to match” the outfit.
Makeup
Bright cosmetics are not encouraged by the church, so don't overdo it. Try to avoid paint altogether. Although light, gentle makeup at a baptism is quite appropriate. A thin layer of powder, a little blush, a clear contour of the eyebrows and slightly tinted eyelashes will only enhance the mysterious feminine beauty.
This photo is already posted above! N.K.
It is recommended to avoid lipstick and lip gloss, since if you kiss a cross or icon, you may leave marks, which is rude to other visitors to the temple.
It is also best to use a light, barely noticeable scent of perfume so as not to confuse parishioners with a heavy trail.
Clothes for the godfather
A man should opt for simple clothes with a comfortable cut. A good option: light-colored trousers + a slightly lighter shirt + closed shoes made of light material.
Is it possible to paint lips?
Hieromonk Seraphim (Kalugin), Astrakhan, answers readers' questions.
I would like to learn more about the origin of the custom of painting lips in order to talk about it more cogently... R.B. Basil
This custom is so ancient that I can hardly say anything about its origin, but we need to try to understand the spiritual meaning of this deplorable phenomenon. Gregory the Theologian has a remark that since this cannot be overcome, then, apparently, we will have to leave it as it is. You see how ancient, harmful, insurmountable this infection is! But Saint John Chrysostom tried to fight this. He accused the elderly empress and influential court ladies of smearing their faces with paints instead of decorating their souls with virtues. He was exiled twice, the second time he died before reaching exile... Our heroic hero, the Lord Jesus Christ, says: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you are like painted tombs, which on the outside seem beautiful, but inside are full of the bones of the dead and all uncleanness" (Matthew 23:27), He calls them hypocrites, i.e. people who fake their faces, who want to appear and not be righteous. He even compares them to coffins. This is also why the leaders of Israel hated him so much, and then crucified him. Where does such hostility towards accusers come from? The fact is that people who want to appear righteous, holy, beautiful, deep in their souls still recognize themselves as deceivers. But a deceiver fears exposure more than anything else. The true adornment of the human face is purity, virginity, chastity, and honesty. The one who stole, indulged in fornication, killed, or is consumed by envy, desire for someone else's - in a word, a violator of God's commandments cannot preserve this God-given beauty. His face becomes gray and dull. Then you have to disguise yourself, pretend to be honest, chaste. This is where, apparently, the face painting and acting came about. Why should a woman wear makeup who lives faithfully and chastely with her husband, whose marriage is honorable and whose bed is undefiled (Heb. 13:4)? Why should a pretty young girl, looking at the world with wide open eyes, wear makeup, whom God created so beautiful that any paint will not beautify, but will only disfigure this face?.. And, most importantly, servant of God Vasily, what I want to tell you. When you begin to “speak reasonedly,” try to make people understand how good it is to be a servant of God, that a servant of God is no longer a slave to anyone. He is free from his pride, his passions. After all, the most important thing is not to wipe the paint off your face, but to bring a person to the Church so that he, too, wants to become a servant of God.
Hieromonk Seraphim (Kalugin), Astrakhan.
27.08.2004
