Covering your head with a scarf in church is a mandatory requirement for girls from the age of 7, since the time of the preaching of the apostles of Christ. This Orthodox tradition is strictly observed, and temple zealots will not allow you to attend services, baptisms, or weddings without such an accessory. Therefore, before going on a trip, be sure to purchase a suitable model that should completely hide your hair and, if necessary, your neckline. It is also unacceptable to come with bare shoulders, so the product can be chosen in large sizes to solve several problems at the same time.
Legend
There are several versions of why a woman should wear a headscarf. One of them says that a long time ago people could come to the temple in any clothes. Which did not always please God. Therefore, he decided to send a message motivating the introduction of a certain dress code. One night, the girl had a dream that said that if she visited the temple in a headscarf and skirt, then all her prayers would be answered. In addition, she will have a patron angel who will help in every possible way in life. And these items of clothing will help you recognize her among other girls. It’s easy to guess that for her next visit to church the girl chose a long skirt and a headscarf for the temple. In response to the surprised questions of others about her appearance, the girl talked about her vision.
Features of the wedding
A wedding in the Orthodox Church is not just a beautiful ritual, it is a sacrament that turns two people into a single whole - a family. On a symbolic level, the rite represents the betrothal of Christ in the image of the groom, his oath to love and protect his beloved, and the bride in the image of the Church, her promise to be faithful and submissive.
Like any church ritual, a wedding has some requirements, including the dress code of all those present, and especially the bride. Women, in principle, should not come to the temple with their heads uncovered, in conspicuously revealing clothing - bare shoulders, neckline, back, knees. Avoid fabrics that are too fluffy - synthetics are a fire hazard, and there will be a lot of candles around. Refrain from frilly jewelry, high heels and bright makeup. They are inappropriate during the sacrament.
Important! Under no circumstances should the bride wear lipstick. Even colorless glitter is prohibited. You will kiss the images, and there should be no lipstick marks left on them.
Other versions
People come to the temple in search of peace, for joint prayers and conversations with God. To ensure that nothing distracts from this, it is required that clothing be as formal as possible. A woman has attractive parts of her body that can distract views and thoughts. Therefore, they should wear long skirts and closed blouses. Hair was one of those intimate features that only the husband was allowed to see. That's why the scarf is in the temple - to cover your hair. And in worldly life, a woman was supposed to cover her head. It was also believed that it receives energy from the earth, and in order for it to be stored in the body and not evaporate through the crown, a barrier must be created.
Purple – memories of suffering
The clergy uses this color of vestments on the Feast of the Exaltation, on the Week of the Cross during Lent and its Sunday services. The color purple is a symbol of the suffering of the Lord.
The Savior's ascension to the cross opened the way to the Kingdom of Heaven. Before the Lord was born of the Virgin Mary and sacrificed Himself for the human race, sinners and righteous people went to hell. This is due to the fall of the first people, their apostasy, for which their descendants paid. The Savior's death on the cross divided the Old and New Testaments.
Purple color is obtained by mixing red and blue. The colors of Purity and Blood were united in memory of the price at which the salvation of the human race was achieved. What Jesus Christ did for this, and how the Virgin Mary suffered, looking at her Son, crucified “for us under Pontius Pilate.”
Women wear a purple scarf on these holidays, in memory of the suffering of the Savior.
Scarf snood for the temple SND180026
1 400 ₽
The temple scarf is made of light lilac chiffon, trimmed along the edge with delicate lace to match the main fabric.
Scarf snood for the temple SND190036
1 100 ₽
The snood scarf is made of delicate purple chiffon, trimmed with thin lace along the edge.
The canonical meaning of the scarf in the church
Women traditionally come to church with their heads covered. Most often it is a scarf, festive or ordinary. Unlike a veil, which can only cover the head of an innocent girl, a scarf suits everyone. But this is not the only reason for its popularity.
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The accessory looks more modest and at the same time more elegant, allowing you to play with a wide variety of shapes, designs, and colors. And it's much more convenient. According to church traditions, the bride must have her hair covered and her face open. Securing a veil in this way is not an easy task, especially if you have a high hairstyle. Most often, brides simply choose a multi-layered veil and throw it forward - and this is quite inconvenient. There is no such problem with a scarf.
Fabric calculation
The amount of material depends on the style of the scarf. For snoods, products that cover the head, less fabric will be required compared to models that fall over the shoulders and chest. So, for a beautiful Don scarf for adults you need:
- piece of fabric 120 x 140 cm;
- lace for finishing edges - 3 m;
- satin ribbon - 150 cm;
- drawstring - 120 cm;
- a pair of beads for fixing on the ends of the ribbons.
Depending on the volume and splendor of the scarf, the specified amount of materials is enough for one or two products. Therefore, a piece of fabric is divided into 2 even pieces with parameters 140 x 55 cm.
To sew a scarf for a child, you need to measure the circumference of his head. If the size is 48 cm, another 40 cm is added to the resulting value to make the ties. The edges are finished with a hem seam with a closed cut. First, 0.5 cm is folded, ironed, folded a second time and stitched with a deviation from the edge of no more than 0.2 cm.
What kind of scarf should I wear to church?
The church scarf has its own requirements. It should not have bright colors. It is desirable that the pattern be calm and not have any modern elements with skulls and other flashy elements.
Of course, it is best to choose a simple monochromatic option in pleasant and delicate shades. Black versions are worn only at funerals or on mourning holidays. On Sundays, it is better to cover your head with a colored hat. But on holidays it is better to choose white scarves. They may have lace or fringe. Some kind of delicate floral pattern is welcome. On special holidays, for guests at weddings, you can even cover your head with scarves embroidered with silk threads and beads. In such bright moments, the canons of the church welcome a little diversity in appearance. But only with modesty and restraint. It is worth remembering that you are in the temple of the Lord.
Red color
The Easter service continues, the clergy change into red vestments. Red color is a symbol of God’s unearthly love for a sinful world. The God-man came to earth, incarnated in a “most honest, pure and virgin womb” in order to save the human race. The Savior shed his own Blood, voluntarily entering the cross, accepting the most shameful death of that time.
Together with love, the red color is the Blood of Christ, shed for us. And this also includes the blood of martyrs - a reminder of a terrible death for the sake of the Lord. That is why on the days of their memory and for 50 days until the Ascension, the color of the clergy’s clothing is red. Women should choose a scarf of this color or white.
Temple scarf PTK190033
2 100 ₽
The red temple scarf is made of lace fabric, edged with guipure lace in the color of the main fabric.
Temple scarf PTK190043
1 200 ₽
The temple scarf is made of delicate red chiffon, edged with woven lace along the front.
Temple scarf PTK190044
1 800 ₽
The red temple scarf is made of lace fabric, the front part is edged with guipure lace in the color of the main fabric.
Scarf snood for the temple SND190047
900 ₽
A one-turn snood scarf allows you to cover your head and shoulders. Made of red chiffon, edged with woven lace.
Types of hats
Most often, brides prefer the white color of the accessory or its more delicate shades - ivory, champagne, cream. However, the Orthodox Church allows other colors, the main thing is that they are light, gentle, pastel. Bright or dark variations - cherry, black, purple - are best left for another holiday.
Materials: lace, satin, silk
As for the fabric, lace looks great. Delicate openwork patterns framing the bride's face will emphasize her charm and innocence. Carefully match your scarf to your lace dress. The patterns should match or at least overlap, but not conflict, otherwise the image will turn out sloppy. Delicate satin or silk, airy tulle, chiffon, and organza look no worse as a material for a scarf. It is acceptable to decorate your headdress with embroidery, rhinestones, and braid, but remember moderation. The image should not be flashy.
Styles: bonnet, bolero, cloak
There are a great variety of styles of wedding scarves.
Tips for choosing a head covering
Idea! For a winter look, a fur edging on the cloak or bonnet is possible, but remember that it is usually quite hot in the church.
- If you choose a lace scarf, then it is better to choose a dress that is smooth or has a similar pattern. Different openwork weaving will destroy the integrity of the image;
- Think about how exactly you will attach the scarf to your hair - bobby pins, hairpins, combs, ribbons. An accessory that comes off during the ceremony will cause inconvenience and spoil the mood;
- If you choose white or its shades, then try to match it tone on tone with the dress. A darker item looks untidy;
- A colored scarf would also work well. It will add the necessary zest to your look, the main thing is that the shade is light and not too bright.
Baby's baptism. What does a godmother need to remember?
The godmother (as well as the father) assumes responsibility for the spiritual education of the godson and his physical education in the event of the death of the parents. That is, in fact, the godmother is the second mother of the child. For any Orthodox Christian, baptism is a church sacrament that is needed by everyone in search of meaning in life and the salvation of their soul. The godmother (as well as the father) takes on serious responsibilities for the spiritual education of the baby and for his physical education in the event of the death of the parents. That is, in fact, the godmother is the second mother of the baby. Who is prohibited from being recipients? Traditionally, the closest people are called godparents - friends or one of the relatives. That is, people whom the biological parents of the baptized person completely trust. And, of course, only an Orthodox woman can become a godmother. The following will not be able to become godparents: • The biological (natural) parents of the baby. • Spouses. • Children (they are not able to vouch for the person being baptized). • Non-Orthodox. • Crazy and immoral (since the former are not able to vouch for their godson due to illness, and the latter have not earned the right to be godparents at all). What are the responsibilities of godparents? Alas, not every godfather understands his new status. Of course, trips to the godson or gifts on Angel's Day are great. But this is not the main task of godparents. In fact, the responsibilities of a godmother include much more complete care for the godson: • Prayer for the godson. It’s good if prayer for the health and salvation of godchildren, your children and loved ones is a good habit before going to bed. • Visit to the temple. It’s great if the godparents mother and father take the baby to church, to communion on church holidays, read the children’s Bible to the child and develop the child spiritually. • If the baby’s mother, due to circumstances, does not have enough time to spend with the child, then the godparents can take over part of the educational process. What should a godmother wear at a christening? • First of all, the godmother must have a cross. Of course, consecrated in the temple. • The godmother's head should be covered with a scarf. • As for the dress, the shoulders should be covered and the length should be below the knees. • Heeled shoes are unnecessary. Moreover, you will have to hold the baby in your arms for a very long time. • Flashy makeup and jewelry should also be left for other occasions. These old traditions are not at all burdensome, and it is advisable to display fashionable things and hairstyles in other places. In the temple, you need to be focused not at all on your appearance. Choosing the day of baptism. It is not at all necessary to baptize the baby on the prescribed fortieth day immediately after birth. It is quite possible to do this a little later. And if the baby’s health is in danger, then earlier. What you should know about the day of baptism: • During Trinity, Easter and Christmas, the ceremony is not performed. As a rule, temples are crowded on these holidays. • Usually, pre-registration for baptism is not needed, and the beginning of the Sacrament is ten o’clock in the morning, after the service. • If you do not want several more people to be baptized with you, you can agree in advance with your priest on a specific date. Just don’t forget to coordinate this date with the baby’s mother (women are not allowed to enter the temple during critical days). What else do you need to remember about the ritual? • Before baptism, godparents must confess and receive communion. • It is advisable to fast 3-4 days before the ceremony. • Immediately on the day of baptism and before communion, it is forbidden to eat or have sex. • Also, the responsibilities of the godmother and father include reading the “Creed” prayer. It needs to be learned. When a boy is baptized, it is read by his godfather; for girls, it is read by his godmother. • There is an unspoken rule: all expenses for the ceremony are borne by the godparents. Not all churches have official prices, and in this case, godparents make donations in the amount of “whoever could.” Buying a baptismal towel in which to wrap the baby after the font is the direct responsibility of the godmother. She also buys her godson a baptismal shirt and a cap, and her godfather a cross. Similar articles: Types of slings and their features - With the birth of a baby, every mother begins to think about how to ease her worries and at the same time devote more time to the child. Development of children's creative abilities when embroidering with beads, glass beads, beads... - The main property of children's thinking is a tireless desire for knowledge. The task of adults is to help the child along the path of his development.
How to sew it yourself
The choice of wedding scarves is truly huge, but for a bride who loves to sew, a handmade accessory would be an excellent solution. This way you will not only be able to create a unique thing, but also put a piece of your soul into the ceremony. Moreover, sewing a scarf is not so difficult.
You will need:
- sewing machine;
- fabric – chiffon, guipure, satin;
- threads matching the color;
- decorations - rhinestones, beads, braid;
- fastening - buttons, ribbons, buttons.
Step-by-step instruction
- Make a pattern - a circle of the required diameter. The easiest way to draw it is on graph paper. Draw the circle in half horizontally and vertically. At the bottom of the circle, draw a cutout for the neckline;
- Transfer the pattern to the material. We advise you to draw with a thin piece of soap so as not to tear the delicate fabric;
- Cut along a vertical line to the center and cut out the neck;
- Open the hood - fold another piece of fabric in half and draw a rectangle. The height of the hood is equal to the height of the head (it is better to take it with some extra for the hairstyle), and the width is half the circumference of the neck;
- Cut out the hood and sew it to the main piece;
- The scarf is ready! All that remains is to overcast the edges, sew on the chosen clasp and add decorations to your taste - from satin stitch embroidery to small beads.
Video master class
A wedding scarf will make the bride's image memorable and interesting, since three out of five brides go to the altar in the same familiar veil. But a handmade accessory will help you stand out especially. How to sew it - in the video:
