Russian women and religion

[PrincetonLion]

... in response to Scarves..., posted by BarryM on Feb 15, 2002

There are the rules for any Orthodox temple: entering the temple, all men should take off their hats, but women - on the contrary - should wear something on their heads (some hat, or shawl, or scarf...)  The roots of the last rule, by the way, are based on security reasons, - else women can catch a fire from burning candles with their long hair!

[jj]

... in response to Church rules..., posted by PrincetonLion on Feb 15, 2002

Hair does not flame...  coats and other clothing maybe..  but I think the rule about scarfs is based more on a regligous doctrine...  Maybe with all the ahir spray hair can become flamable... again I do not think this is the reason.

[BarryM]

... in response to Church rules..., posted by PrincetonLion on Feb 15, 2002

I've heard stories about fur coats catching on fire in a crowded Church.

-blm

[jj]

... in response to Scarves..., posted by BarryM on Feb 15, 2002

The Scarf tradition is a strange one (to me at least).  Why is it that Women are the ones that need to where it only?  When we visited Lavra my friend had to wear a scarf when visiting the caves...  but I did not..  I must admit Lavra was an amasing place definitaly worth the World Heritage listing...

[WmGo]

... in response to Re: Scarves... Lavra, posted by jj on Feb 15, 2002

JJ, Natalya, Barry, PrincetonLion:

You ask such good questions, but you forget to consider the obvious answers to your queries.

FYI, the reason for most church customs is the teachings of the Holy Scriptures, not regional/national/cultural variations between peoples. The Bible commands that only men are to be the pastor of a church: I Timothy 3:1-2; Titus 1:5-9 (note Bible term for pastor/minister/priest is "bishop" and "elder"). Also note that in the pre Grace days of the Law only men could be priests (male Levites).

There is also a Biblical commandment for a woman to cover her head while in church: I Corinthians 11:2-13. The women of the Orthodox Church have been quite strict in being obedient to this command throughout the centuries. If you look at pictures, drawings, paintings, and depictions of old Protestant worship services you will also note that up until just a few decades ago women almost always wore something to cover their heads. Now, in the Western world it seems that fashion consciousness has prevailed over Biblical mandate. The good news is that this is not a Salvation issue.

I hope this helps

WmGO

[jj]

... in response to You Guys are so Funny today, posted by WmGo on Feb 15, 2002

And as such I must admit I am niave when it comes to regligous practices and the reason behind them..  I tend to just accept that that is the practice but it is good to understand why...  although I understand your points I am still left undertanding why??  Other then that is what is...

[BarryM]

... in response to You Guys are so Funny today, posted by WmGo on Feb 15, 2002

nt

[Natalya]

... in response to Re: Scarves... Lavra, posted by jj on Feb 15, 2002

Church that women can never become priest only nuns.Only priest and his helpers (all males) allowed to do the service. Even when child is baptized, ritual of baptizing for a boy differs from baptizing of girl.

[jj]

... in response to Another tradition in Russian Orthodox, posted by Natalya on Feb 15, 2002

Whan I was visisting Lavra I was given a private tour of teh restoration.  I was allowed in the vestable but my female friend was not...  FYI

[BarryM]

... in response to Re: Scarves... Lavra, posted by jj on Feb 15, 2002

nt

[Ryan]

... in response to Russian women and religion, posted by terry on Feb 15, 2002

My limited experience in the Ukraine shows me that every time the issue of religion comes up they say that they are Christians; BerryM could be right in his thinking that it simply means they are not Jewish or Muslim, not sure if they are running to the EO church but what ever.  The pope did visit last year and I got a chance to see him in the pope mobile it was a real treat.  People were real interested as they lined the streets in Kiev.  Anyway aside from all that, I feel that many of the women that I have wrote to or the one family I stayed with they were NOT really into religion, lots of little superstitions and issues revolving around luck but no real religion.  Now sidelining all this again, I feel that if you make a connection with a woman from this area, and have the chemistry, they will follow you to the ends of the earth.  I would not start off by weeding out anyone because of a religious affiliation well except if they were EO then that would get me sort of thinking.  But I don't think any woman from FSU would have an issue with religion if she connects with you in some way.  It would have more to do with how you spend your time and if she isn't into the church group stuff since that is how you spend your time, then she would simply not choose you.    So to sum it up tell them more about how you spend your time as opposed to getting deep into religious issues.

Good luck,
Ryan

[BubbaGump]

... in response to Russian women and religion, posted by terry on Feb 15, 2002

My understanding is that although they may attend church, most are not as religious as people in the USA.  All web sites have a search engine (only some actually work) and you can do a search based on different religious words.  Some women will emphasize their christianity in their biography but it's not a large percentage.  Do a search based on words such as: Orthodox, christian, religion and church.  I would suggest you just select the girls you are interested in and ask about their feelings on religion.

[BarryM]

... in response to Russian women and religion, posted by terry on Feb 15, 2002

Most of the women who are religious are Eastern Orthodox. Unfortunately, most people are not practicing in any religion and most of the time the religious affiliation of "Christian" simply means not Jewish or Muslim. The good news is that more and more Russians are starting to practice Orthodoxy and more Orthodox Churches are being restored to accomodate the growing numbers of laity.

I suggest you do some research about the Orthodox Church both here and in Russia. A good start is:
http://www.oca.org

-blm

[WmGo]

... in response to Russia is a secular country.., posted by BarryM on Feb 15, 2002

I would have expected a real, true born again Christian to have said : " The good news is that more and more Russians are *receiving Christ* ."

"Orthodox" just like "Catholic" and "Protestant" does not necessarily mean *Christian*.

I urge you to read and study the book of Romans and the Gospel of John (particularly noting chapter 3 detailing the historic conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus).

Have you ever accepted and received Christ as your personal Saviour?

[philb]

... in response to Re: secular country.., posted by WmGo on Feb 15, 2002

Where does the doctrine of election fit in?  2 Thess. 2:13 God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation.  This sounds a bit different then me receiving Christ or accepting Him.