Question from possible convert to Orthodoxy

[Dietrich Johnson]

I am a possible convert to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and have noticed that although Paul indicates in 1 Corinthians 11:4 that men should not pray or prophesy with their head covered, there seem to be some (although not all) Eastern Orthodox Christian priests who have their head covered when they pray or preach. What is their argument for doing that?

 

[SamanthaAnastasia]

I am a possible convert to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and have noticed that although Paul indicates in 1 Corinthians 11:4 that men should not pray or prophesy with their head covered, there seem to be some (although not all) Eastern Orthodox Christian priests who have their head covered when they pray or preach. What is their argument for doing that?

You know I am orthodox and have wondered this myself lol
So I went looking. I found these articles which may help:

ANSWERS TO LITURGICAL QUERIES

HTC: Priest's Headcoverings During Divine Worship

But that’s about it.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I am a possible convert to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and have noticed that although Paul indicates in 1 Corinthians 11:4 that men should not pray or prophesy with their head covered, there seem to be some (although not all) Eastern Orthodox Christian priests who have their head covered when they pray or preach. What is their argument for doing that?

certain practices developed overtime, but as the article indicated, there are times during the services when head is uncovered.

 

[GreekOrthodox]

One thing I did see in the articles was that a hat might be worn when its cold. On rare occasions, we can actually be practical and not so mystical about things.

If the blessing to wear a black Skufiya is asked for and given for health reasons, then that Skufiya should only be worn for such reasons as protection from the cold and for performing services of need outside the Temple, for such occasions as burials and Cross processions, or in winter in an unheated Church, and even during Services and the Divine Liturgy, in which case the same rules are followed as are given above for the Violet Skufiya.
​

I will say that as I get older, I'd love to be able to wear a hat while chanting when the main church is still warming up. I wear a flat cap even in my house.

 

[Andrei D]

​

I will say that as I get older, I'd love to be able to wear a hat while chanting when the main church is still warming up. I wear a flat cap even in my house.

As open air services are becoming more and more frequent (and in many places, the norm) this point is important. We also always had them, anyway.

 

[GreekOrthodox]

As open air services are becoming more and more frequent (and in many places, the norm) this point is important. We also always had them, anyway.

NA

 

[Dietrich Johnson]

Thank you for these responses. As a Protestant and potential convert to Orthodoxy, I had previously thought that men should not ever have their heads covered (per 1 Cor. 11:4), since Paul says to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). What would be the Orthodox response to this?

 

[ArmyMatt]

Thank you for these responses. As a Protestant and potential convert to Orthodoxy, I had previously thought that men should not ever have their heads covered (per 1 Cor. 11:4), since Paul says to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). What would be the Orthodox response to this?

could you clarify? I am not sure what ceaseless prayer has to do with men sometimes covering their heads.

 

[Dietrich Johnson]

Yes, the question is if one is to be in/ready for truly ceaseless prayer (1 Thess. 5:17), then how can one do that if the head is covered at all given Paul's instruction in 1 Cor 11:4? Or did Paul not intend to convey in 1 Thess 5:17 that we should literally be ready for prayer continually?

 

[ArmyMatt]

Yes, the question is if one is to be in/ready for truly ceaseless prayer (1 Thess. 5:17), then how can one do that if the head is covered at all given Paul's instruction in 1 Cor 11:4? Or did Paul not intend to convey in 1 Thess 5:17 that we should literally be ready for prayer continually?

why can’t you pray with your head covered?

 

[prodromos]

Yes, the question is if one is to be in/ready for truly ceaseless prayer (1 Thess. 5:17), then how can one do that if the head is covered at all given Paul's instruction in 1 Cor 11:4? Or did Paul not intend to convey in 1 Thess 5:17 that we should literally be ready for prayer continually?

There are instructions given for the context of liturgy, where we come together to worship God and receive Holy Communion, and other instructions given which are general. Pray without ceasing is general, pray without head covering is liturgical.

 

[Dietrich Johnson]

Thanks for sharing that distinction between instructions for the context of liturgy (such as head covered), and instructions which are general (such as pray continually)... and also for sharing the point about it being practical for health reasons at times to have the head covered. In 1 Cor 11:4, where it says "prophesying" is this referring to just giving a sermon.. and if so, then is it the Orthodox view that in general the head should be uncovered when one is giving a sermon?

 

[E.C.]

One thing I did see in the articles was that a hat might be worn when its cold. On rare occasions, we can actually be practical and not so mystical about things.

Sometimes we're even both practical and mystical!

 

[Not David]

When we pray, it is customary to take away the hat though.

 

[Dietrich Johnson]

In 1 Cor 11:4, where it says "prophesying" is this referring to just giving a sermon.. and if so, then is it the Orthodox view that in general the head should be uncovered when one is giving a sermon?

 

[Yeshua HaDerekh]

In 1 Cor 11:4, where it says "prophesying" is this referring to just giving a sermon.. and if so, then is it the Orthodox view that in general the head should be uncovered when one is giving a sermon?

It is a strange thing IMO. Jews in Paul's time (and now) would wear a tallit (prayer shawl) when praying. I guess you could look at it two ways, showing honor and reverence by covering your head (Numbers 15: 37-41) and also by uncovering your head...

 

[Dietrich Johnson]

It is a strange thing IMO. Jews in Paul's time (and now) would wear a tallit (prayer shawl) when praying. I guess you could look at it two ways, showing honor and reverence by covering your head (Numbers 15: 37-41) and also by uncovering your head...

I received some responses on this question earlier that clarified things about praying with head uncovered. Sounds like it is indeed a general principle for Orthodox to take off the hat when praying. See the comments from folks, above.

 

[Yeshua HaDerekh]

I received some responses on this question earlier that clarified things about praying with head uncovered. Sounds like it is indeed a general principle for Orthodox to take off the hat when praying. See the comments from folks, above.

Oh I know it is. However, as I said, i always found it strange...

 

[Dietrich Johnson]

Oh I know it is. However, as I said, i always found it strange...

Got it.

 

[Dietrich Johnson]

Wondering in 1 Cor 11:4, where it says "prophesying" is this referring to just giving a sermon.. and if so, then is it the Orthodox view that in general the head should be uncovered when one is giving a sermon?