Head coverings for women

[Melista]

*Orthodox Topic*
Hello everyone, I’m newly received into Orthodoxy. I’ve been feeling I should be wearing a head covering during services despite very few women (less than 5) at our parish wearing one. Although I feel like I should be wearing one at the same time it seems awkward because I’m not accustomed to it. I’ve been searching for information on the topic but I’m not finding much. I’m not on social media. If anyone has any experience, insight or advice on the subject I’d be grateful for the input.

 

[HTacianas]

*Orthodox Topic*
Hello everyone, I’m newly received into Orthodoxy. I’ve been feeling I should be wearing a head covering during services despite very few women (less than 5) at our parish wearing one. Although I feel like I should be wearing one at the same time it seems awkward because I’m not accustomed to it. I’ve been searching for information on the topic but I’m not finding much. I’m not on social media. If anyone has any experience, insight or advice on the subject I’d be grateful for the input.

That was something of a joke between me and a few teenage girls at Church for a while. They would allow their headscarves to slip down onto the back of their neck and I would point at them and make a mean face. They would laugh and pull the headscarf up. For a time they would do it on purpose and look at me waiting for me to point at them.

If you want you can google pictures of Orthodox Christian women to get an idea what they do. It's usually just a simple scarf worn over the head. Nothing fancy. Most people think it looks old fashioned. A lot of women I've seen wear the scarf over their shoulders until they enter the Church then pull it up over their head. It's something you should do out of respect for the Church.

 

[All4Christ]

One suggestion: Don’t let yourself fall into the trap of focusing so much on how the head covering looks. When I was trying to do that, I spent a lot of time working out what looked best, retying it, trying different ways to tie it, etc. I ended up having a lot of focus on the head covering itself. Try to find something simple that works - that can be easily put in without a ton of work.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I would say talk to one of the five at your parish, and see what they say.

 

[Melista]

Thanks for the replies @HTacianas,@All4Christ and @ArmyMatt. I really appreciate it! I’ve ordered a couple of head coverings and I’ll speak with the women at church that wear them!

 

[ArmyMatt]

glad to help!

 

[Makrina]

Everyone at my parish wears one. It's just the custom, it's not required. To me, it is a way of showing respect for God and it gives you the freedom to focus on your prayer rather than how your hair looks. It also is less distracting for everyone when we all do it. If it's not the custom where you go, I would skip it unless you feel it is something that should be done. If it helps you focus, do it. If it distracts you, don't.

 

[Melista]

Everyone at my parish wears one. It's just the custom, it's not required. To me, it is a way of showing respect for God and it gives you the freedom to focus on your prayer rather than how your hair looks. It also is less distracting for everyone when we all do it. If it's not the custom where you go, I would skip it unless you feel it is something that should be done. If it helps you focus, do it. If it distracts you, don't.

Thanks, that’s really helpful!