The Shepherd, July 2009
PRACTICAL TIP
IN THE SUMMER MONTHS, remember that one should come to church modestly dressed. In some churches, women will conscientiously put a piece of lacy stuff over their head in a token covering of the head, but then come in with sleeveless and low-cut dresses, which are anything but modest. One can wear something light and attractive, but be properly covered to come before the Lord to beg His mercy. And nor should men feel that they are excused! They also should dress modestly and not as if they were attending a village fête. The concept of “Sunday best” is not really an Orthodox one, and has its own pitfalls: people try to out class each other, or wear striking clothes, the young feel that they are pressured into wearing something they are totally uncomfortable in (teenage boys do not want to be dressed as undertakers, and teenage girls do not want to be dressed like little girls from 1952!), &c. But to dress modestly and with due respect for the holy place one is entering is important. This effects one’s disposition, and is a necessary preparation for the time of prayer. Last year, we had a lady, who must have been at least 35 (! - I am being charitable), come wearing skin tight pants (as the Americans call them, and as they deserve to be called) of a hideous greeny-grey colour. One can only imagine that she had been to a fancy-dress party the previous night, dressed as a hippo! When this was brought to her attention, she said that she had put a wrap round while in church, but even this misses several points. First of all, particularly in a monastic setting, it is not only the church building which is consecrated and set apart for God, it is the whole property. Secondly, even out on the streets one should have a modicum of modesty in one’s dress - dressing as this poor soul did on that occasion could have a devastating effect on anyone who saw her, especially on young, unbolstered and sensitive souls. Why! even in one’s own bedroom, where no one sees, one should be modest. Fortunately, when the priest kindly addressed this lady with some sweet, soothing and understanding words (as is his wont!), she obviously had the grace to take them to heart, and has ever since regularly attended our church wearing modest and attractive clothes. God bless her.
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