Orthodox: why the beards?

[DamianWarS]

you know who you are. why such a dominant value of beards?

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

There are a few reasons.

One... why not? God put it there didn't he? I suggest that its more natural.

Two... submission of will and personal preferences. For clergy this shows submission of will to the Bishop. All clergy "are", is the glove on the Bishop's hand. We perform his litugical duties with his blessing. Every Bishop is "a Church".
Three... it is easier to avoid some carnal sins, with hair blocking your youthful looks.

Forgive me...

 

[DamianWarS]

There are a few reasons.

One... why not? God put it there didn't he? I suggest that its more natural.

Two... submission of will and personal preferences. For clergy this shows submission of will to the Bishop. All clergy "are", is the glove on the Bishop's hand. We perform his litugical duties with his blessing. Every Bishop is "a Church".
Three... it is easier to avoid some carnal sins, with hair blocking your youthful looks.

Forgive me...

- two: does this not require a request from the bishop to have a beard in order for submission to take place... or is this unspoken.

 

[Dave-W]

Where i grew up having any facial hair was considered sinful.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

- two: does this not require a request from the bishop to have a beard in order for submission to take place... or is this unspoken.

Once tosured, it becomes unspoken submission. Hairstyles are not for clergy. Thats why clergy tend to let it do whatever its going to do within the limits set down by the Bishop.

Forgive me...

 

[FenderTL5]

All of the clergy under the authority of our Bishop have to be 'trimmed/neat'.
Beards are not prohibited nor required but must be kept.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

All of the clergy under the authority of our Bishop have to be 'trimmed/neat'.
Beards are not prohibited nor required but must be kept.

Every Bishop will dictate to the clergy what he wants. Neatness and cleanliness are desired.

Forgive me...

 

[DamianWarS]

Once tosured, it becomes unspoken submission. Hairstyles are not for clergy. Thats why clergy tend to let it do whatever its going to do within the limits set down by the Bishop.

Forgive me...

are you nervous?

 

[inquiring mind]

Any ideas as to why Leviticus speaks of not trimming the edge of beards?

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

are you nervous?

I was. I thought I was going to be doing something different. Turns out they just wanted me to keep on doing what I've been doing for 13 years. Still though... what if they want me to continue down this path? Not my will, but thine be done.

Forgive me...

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

Any ideas as to why Leviticus speaks of not trimming the edge of beards?

Not from a teaching source. Monastics would likely be able to answer. I would say look to Samson though.

Forgive me...

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

Concerning the Tradition of Long Hair and Beards

Forgive me...

 

[nonaeroterraqueous]

One... why not? God put it there didn't he? I suggest that its more natural.

This reminds me of the logic used by Sikhs. Kesh (Sikhism) - Wikipedia
They don't believe in men cutting hair, which they allow to grow really long, because God put it there. If God made it that way, then why not let it be that way? I notice that your hair is not that long, assuming you used your own profile for your avatar (nice pic, by the way). I assume that the other two rules come into play on that one.

If your wife starts asking about the secret of your strength, I would stay away from mentioning your beard.

 

[Goatee]

Somewhere to store bread crumbs etc for when hungry later in the night! Lol

 

[DamianWarS]

Any ideas as to why Leviticus speaks of not trimming the edge of beards?

I have heard it was related to separating from egyptian style of squared off beards which could be linked to values deification so at all costs then keep away from that so as not to cause idoltary. No idea if that's true nor does the text really tell us those details however a lot of the law had to do with separating the Israelites from other cultures so it would fit.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

A few weeks ago, I was installing a light fixture overhead. I dropped a screw and my beard caught it. I said thanks. He said, you're welcome.

Forgive me...

 

[DamianWarS]

This reminds me of the logic used by Sikhs. Kesh (Sikhism) - Wikipedia
They don't believe in men cutting hair, which they allow to grow really long, because God put it there. If God made it that way, then why not let it be that way? I notice that your hair is not that long, assuming you used your own profile for your avatar (nice pic, by the way). I assume that the other two rules come into play on that one.

same logic could be applied to circumcision

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

"an ascetic monastic foregoes the cutting of his hair and beard in order to avoid vanity."

Forgive me...

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

This reminds me of the logic used by Sikhs. Kesh (Sikhism) - Wikipedia
They don't believe in men cutting hair, which they allow to grow really long, because God put it there. If God made it that way, then why not let it be that way? I notice that your hair is not that long, assuming you used your own profile for your avatar (nice pic, by the way). I assume that the other two rules come into play on that one.

If your wife starts asking about the secret of your strength, I would stay away from mentioning your beard.

The picture was taken at six months of growth.

Forgive me...

 

[DamianWarS]

"an ascetic monastic foregoes the cutting of his hair and beard in order to avoid vanity."

Forgive me...