Sunday Best
April 19, 2012
This phrase used to indicate one’s very best clothes, which were, of course, what one wore to church. But if this year’s Holy Week fashions are any indication, “Sunday best” has no meaning whatsoever.
I hope the problem was not as great in your church. But in Astoria, the women were wearing tights with no skirts or dresses. If this trend continues, next year the women venerating the Cross and the Epitaphios will be wearing nothing below the waste at all. Should we do anything about this? And, if so, what?
This puts the pants vs. dresses discussion in a whole new light. When a girl asked me if women wear pants in our church, since they do at her Greek Orthodox Church, a few blocks away, I said, “Only visitors.” For the most part, this is true. Our regular female worshippers wear dresses in church almost exclusively. But during Holy Week we have a stream of visitors, increasing as the Week goes along.
On Holy Tuesday, we sing the Hymn of St. Cassiane. We remember when the sinful woman washed the feet of the Lord with her tears. (Luke 7:36-50) If this story takes place in our church, I do not want to play the part of Simon, the Pharisee. The Lord knew what the woman needed, and He set her free. May God grant us the wisdom to know what to say, and when to be silent, to bring education, healing and restoration to these ignorant women. (Ignorant – lacking knowledge; unaware; resulting from lack of knowledge)
This is where you come in – I need your suggestions about the following:
We have a sign on the front door about appropriate dress, but it’s been the same for too long. No one reads it. And, the writer certainly did not anticipate what we’re seeing now. We need a new one. What would you include on such a sign? And, how would you word it?
How is inappropriate dress handled in other settings – public, private, monasteries, etc.?
I’d also like to do a leaflet. What would you include in it? Perhaps you have something like that already, and we could use it instead, or get ideas. If so, please share it.
Is there anything you’d like to say on this subject? Please do.
To read and make comments, please click on the title of this post. Then, scroll down to the comment box. Thank you.
I hope the problem was not as great in your church. But in Astoria, the women were wearing tights with no skirts or dresses. If this trend continues, next year the women venerating the Cross and the Epitaphios will be wearing nothing below the waste at all. Should we do anything about this? And, if so, what?
This puts the pants vs. dresses discussion in a whole new light. When a girl asked me if women wear pants in our church, since they do at her Greek Orthodox Church, a few blocks away, I said, “Only visitors.” For the most part, this is true. Our regular female worshippers wear dresses in church almost exclusively. But during Holy Week we have a stream of visitors, increasing as the Week goes along.
On Holy Tuesday, we sing the Hymn of St. Cassiane. We remember when the sinful woman washed the feet of the Lord with her tears. (Luke 7:36-50) If this story takes place in our church, I do not want to play the part of Simon, the Pharisee. The Lord knew what the woman needed, and He set her free. May God grant us the wisdom to know what to say, and when to be silent, to bring education, healing and restoration to these ignorant women. (Ignorant – lacking knowledge; unaware; resulting from lack of knowledge)
This is where you come in – I need your suggestions about the following:
We have a sign on the front door about appropriate dress, but it’s been the same for too long. No one reads it. And, the writer certainly did not anticipate what we’re seeing now. We need a new one. What would you include on such a sign? And, how would you word it?
How is inappropriate dress handled in other settings – public, private, monasteries, etc.?
I’d also like to do a leaflet. What would you include in it? Perhaps you have something like that already, and we could use it instead, or get ideas. If so, please share it.
Is there anything you’d like to say on this subject? Please do.
To read and make comments, please click on the title of this post. Then, scroll down to the comment box. Thank you.
Posted by Sister Irene.
