ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS ARE TO TAKE CHURCH ATTIRE AND ETIQUETTE SERIOUSLY OUT OF RESPECT FOR THE CONSECRATED TEMPLE OF WORSHIP

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God and Savior,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS ARE TO TAKE CHURCH ATTIRE AND ETIQUETTE
SERIOUSLY OUT OF RESPECT FOR THE CONSECRATED
TEMPLE OF WORSHIP. [Part III]

Over the years certain Christian traditions, behavior, and attitudes have been slowly eliminated and replaced with more modern, secular, or contemporary expressions and practices. This applies to how Christians view the place of worship and how they prepare themselves to attend the divine services of the Church. If one was to compare how Christians dressed, how they physically appeared, how they treated the church they attended, and how they acted once there. How they viewed the Church in the past and how they dress, act, and treat the church today is astonishing to say the least. We all know that styles of dress change over time, and how people’s attitudes also change, and conform to the current era. However, should Christians conform to these changes in society and modern attitudes or should they not always retain their Christian traditions, dignity, reverence, and to conduct themselves according to the faith?

The practicing Orthodox Christian believes and understands what he should conduct himself, what attire is appropriate to wear in church, knows the appropriate time to arrive in church; without any reminder from the local parish priest or anyone else. There is, however, a church etiquette and discipline in the Church that all must adhere to. Ultimate authority over parish discipline belongs to the local hierarch (bishop) and is delegated to the parish priest. Pastoral correction is ideally meant to be given gently as spiritual medicine for healing rather than as rigid rules of conduct.

Looking back to the Old Testament and Hebrew tradition we learn how the faithful then understood that the Temple was a Holy Place. Everyone believed the Temple was a deeply Holy Place and was the dwelling place of God. Israelites believed the temple was the literal earthly Throne Room of God. His presence rested specifically in the innermost room, the Holy of Holies, above the Ark of the Covenant. Because God was Holy and the people were sinful, strict physical barriers–like heavy curtains and separate zones–kept ordinary Israelites from entering the INNER SACRED SPACES. Entering the temple required ritual cleanliness (washing and purification). Violating God’s Holiness inside the Sanctuary was believed to bring severe judgment or even death.

Outside in the courtyard of the Great Cathedral of Saint Sophia at Constantinople was a fountain, where ordinary people washed their faces before entering the church. On it was inscribed “Nipson anomemata, me monan opsin” which means “WASH YOUR SINS, NOT ONLY YOUR FACE.” It was a clear reminder to worshippers that physical cleaning should match SPIRITUAL REPENTANCE. It is believed that the person that was credited for the inscription was Saint Gregory Nazianzus. Of course, the Orthodox Christian who genuinely implements the commandments of God and the sacred teachings of the Church believes that spiritual cleansing can only come from repenting and participating in the Mystery (Sacrament) of Confession.

The true spirit of living our Orthodox Christian faith is to adhere to it and not to trivialize it or either to neglect, ignore, or to choose not to abide by it. How one conducts himself while in church, the kind of attire that he chooses to wear, and how he participates in the Divine Liturgy, reflects what is in the person’s heart. All Orthodox Christians recall the early Church tradition that churches were designed and constructed in such a way that placed men on one side to the Nave and women on the other, or in designated galleries called the GYNAIKONITIS, (a place for women) so as to focus during worship. However, this practice has been eliminated in more modern churches, especially in the diaspora churches.

Hopefully the majority of Orthodox faithful maintain the reverence, respect and sacredness of the church. Attire and etiquette generally focus on modesty, cleanliness, and of course reverence. What should prevail is common sense and good judgement. Men should wear dark color pants, a white long sleeve shirt and possibly a necktie or a suit. Women should dress modestly with a dress, skirts (knee-length or longer), a blouse that covers the shoulders and chest: avoid overly tight or revealing clothing. Suffice to say no mini-skirts should be worn in church. no matter the age of the person.

It is proper that the Christian man or woman or family arrive a few minutes early, If for some reason you arrive after the service has commenced, wait quietly in the Narthex, by the entrance of the church, and then respectfully take place. Silence your mobile phone completely before entering and refrain from loud unnecessary talking. Needless to say there is no eating permitted. Be attentive during the Divine Liturgy and spiritually participate in it.

If anyone has an questions about behavior, dress, preparation of how to prepare to receive Holy Communion and other, ask the parish priest at a convenient time for both of you.

___________
“Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!”
+ Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Glorious and Divine Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George