Women in the Orthodox Church

[isilmë]

I have two questions that I hope someone can help me with.

The first one is regarding clothing: I know that modesty is important in the Church, for both men and women, but are there clothes that a woman can never wear (or a man for that matter)? Nowadays women wear pants, suits, etc.; would that be OK for an Orthodox woman to do? When visiting a Church, should a woman always cover her head?

The second one is regarding the role of women in the Church (outside of monasteries): Are there any way for a woman to work full-time for the Church? If so, what sort of work is she able to do? I read somewhere that perhaps it will be possible for women to become deaconesses, is that true? Are there any other positions within the Church for women?

I'm very thankful for any information I can get!

 

[~Anastasia~]

Some parishes/jurisdictions are more conservative.

Pants would be very frowned on in some of them, and are common in others. In the US, it seems there are more women who do not cover their heads than do - but it's going to depend on jurisdiction too.

Generally speaking, Russian parishes usually have women in skirts and with head coverings, for example. Greek parishes are unlikely to have very many cover, but dresses or skirts are still much more common than pants.

Others seem to vary in between, and I'm not that widely traveled. I've seen Antiochian go both ways, and I've seen OCA go both ways, but tend to be much closer to Russian patterns. Others I am not familiar with. And my experience is limited and someone else may say differently. It's probably a good idea to ask or observe first, if you can, or else just go in a skirt with a fairly conservative hem and wear a scarf around your neck that can be used to cover if needed.

Men wouldn't wear clothes that "pertained to a woman" at all of course. And generally both dress respectfully for Church - I wouldn't expect to see jeans, shorts, t-shirts, muscle shirts, or flip-flops.

Women can do anything in the Church except for ordained positions. Priests, bishops, deacons are male. If they do restore deaconesses, it will likely be only in the areas that need them, and they are a lay ministry role, NOT an ordained one.

Full time emplyment in the Church depends on what the Church needs and can afford. Typically I know of positions like office manager, bookkeeper, secretary, teacher, custodial. The parish council has a role to play, and some ministries may be volunteers, so there may not be much needed unless it is a very large parish or has an attached school or something else.

But as far as ministry, parish council, teaching, etc - women can fulfill any role that doesn't go behind the altar. I do suspect some parishes may be less likely to put women in some positions, but what I've seen myself is no preference given to men for any of those roles.

 

[ArmyMatt]

The first one is regarding clothing: I know that modesty is important in the Church, for both men and women, but are there clothes that a woman can never wear (or a man for that matter)? Nowadays women wear pants, suits, etc.; would that be OK for an Orthodox woman to do? When visiting a Church, should a woman always cover her head?

for a fella, I would recommend long sleeves and long pants for the first time around. for a lady I would recommend long sleeves, a skirt to the knees, and a headcovering. if you see women don't have it, you can always tie it around the shoulders. then I would see what in general the people are wearing, talk to the priest and see what he says, then plan for that next time.

Are there any way for a woman to work full-time for the Church? If so, what sort of work is she able to do?

I know women who are full time staff for larger parishes, choir directors, clergy wives, missionaries, etc. and then there are other roles like teachers, parish council members, iconographers, blessed readers when needed, institutional chaplains, choir members, etc.

I read somewhere that perhaps it will be possible for women to become deaconesses, is that true?

Alexandria and Africa are bringing them back due to a need in that continent.

I'm very thankful for any information I can get!

no problem, please stick around!

 

[isilmë]

@~Anastasia~ and @ArmyMatt - Thank you so much for the very informative replies. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions.

I think it's a good rule to dress in a more modest fashion, it's how I dress in my day-to-day life anyway. I do wear pants, though and I wouldn't want to make a mistake when I visited an Orthodox Church in the future, I want to be respectful. Your suggestions to wear a long skirt and bring a head-covering must be the best way to go about it.

There seem to be many different things women can do in the Church. Whatever Church I choose to belong to in the future, I would want to be very involved in it, in one way or the other. I hope that God will help me put whatever I have to offer to good use!

Thank you again and many blessings!

 

[buzuxi02]

Keep in mind that there are not many positions to fill in a church. Most parishes only require a single priest, a chanter, a secretary, and a caretaker (aka janitor). Those are the only salaried positions that are directly involved with the parish.
Perhaps in a many churches their maybe a choirmaster position.
Of course volunteering is different. Sunday school teacher, singing in choir, if your a good baker no one will turn down homemade prosphora or kolyva or the bread for artoklasia. Run for parish council.

 

[isilmë]

Keep in mind that there are not many positions to fill in a church. Most parishes only require a single priest, a chanter, a secretary, and a caretaker (aka janitor). Those are the only salaried positions that are directly involved with the parish.
Perhaps in a many churches their maybe a choirmaster position.
Of course volunteering is different. Sunday school teacher, singing in choir, if your a good baker no one will turn down homemade prosphora or kolyva or the bread for artoklasia. Run for parish council.

Thank you for your reply. Well, either way there's always volunteering and that's something I would be very interested in. I think it's important to get involved in the community, for me it certainly would be. I'd bring many baked goods, for sure.

 

[~Anastasia~]

I'm sure again there is some variation by parish (though in this case I'd bet not much ) but as far as volunteering there are probably LOTS of chances to be at the Church and help with something.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Whatever Church I choose to belong to in the future, I would want to be very involved in it, in one way or the other.

I am sure you will be as involved as God calls you. there are also positions and committees that are held at all levels of the Church by women (ie the Orthodox Christian Education Commission, Orthodox Christian Fellowship, trustees for seminaries, etc). while not full careers per say, they are out there too

 

[All4Christ]

Thank you for your reply. Well, either way there's always volunteering and that's something I would be very interested in. I think it's important to get involved in the community, for me it certainly would be. I'd bring many baked goods, for sure.

We currently have women who volunteer as the parish council president, treasurer, choir director, building committee members, teachers, fellowship hour volunteers, prosfora baking, and more. While they may not be paid, there are many opportunities for women to serve!

ETA: The choir director gets a small amount of compensation, though she often uses that to buy extra music for us. It's a ministry for her rather than a job to pay the bills.

 

[isilmë]

I am sure you will be as involved as God calls you. there are also positions and committees that are held at all levels of the Church by women (ie the Orthodox Christian Education Commission, Orthodox Christian Fellowship, trustees for seminaries, etc). while not full careers per say, they are out there too

That gives me hope that I'll be able to be involved in some way, in whatever way I can.

I'm sure again there is some variation by parish (though in this case I'd bet not much ) but as far as volunteering there are probably LOTS of chances to be at the Church and help with something.

While they may not be paid, there are many opportunities for women to serve!

That is what I feel is most important, being able to serve. How wonderful to be a part of and of service to a devoted community.

 

[ArmyMatt]

That gives me hope that I'll be able to be involved in some way, in whatever way I can.

oh yeah, there are a ton of things that women. Orthodoxy has always maintained that male/female roles in the Church are unique and distinct, but totally equal in dignity before God.

 

[isilmë]

oh yeah, there are a ton of things that women. Orthodoxy has always maintained that male/female roles in the Church are unique and distinct, but totally equal in dignity before God.

I like that very much. There's much wisdom in your Church, that's for sure... on a different level than I've come across elsewhere and it's intriguing to me.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I like that very much. There's much wisdom in your Church, that's for sure... on a different level than I've come across elsewhere and it's intriguing to me.

"The day will come, when the Patriarch will see the cleaning lady ahead of him on Judgment Day, and he will say, 'Pray for me, mother. I have not yet begun to repent.'" -Patriarch Kyril of Moscow

 

[graphite412]

"The day will come, when the Patriarch will see the cleaning lady ahead of him on Judgment Day, and he will say, 'Pray for me, mother. I have not yet begun to repent.'" -Patriarch Kyril of Moscow

Matt where did you get that quote?

 

[graphite412]

There are tons of options for women to get involved in church. We are in desperate need for orthodox parochial schools with teachers, and good catechists, men and women. Also there are some parishes that have ethnic festivals or feed homeless, which requires a lot of volunteers.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Matt where did you get that quote?

it's on the Facebook page as a quote by a former teacher at St Tikhon's

 

[buzuxi02]

philoptochos in the goarch. Is the women's organization that does charity work and fundraising

 

[ArmyMatt]

Antiochian Women is out there as well

 

[All4Christ]

Is there an OCA women's organization?

 

[Paidiske]

May I point out that the OP has her location listed as "Europe"? I suspect that may shape your answers somewhat differently.