During Great Lent we all attempt to adhere more firmly to ancient Church custom and practice. It has been the practice from Apostolic times that all Christian women (and girls aged seven-years and above) veil the head (i.e., cover their hair) in the holy temple. Most orthodox women do so instinctively, emulating the most holy Mother of God and all female saints. In covering (i.e., veiling) the head Christian women wisely place themselves under the holy veil, under the Αγία Σκέπη (Agia skepi), that is, under the holy protection of the Mother of God.
The holy Apostle Paul instructs, offering a choice:
if a woman will not cover her head, then she should shave off her hair. But if she is ashamed to shave off her hair, then let her cover her head.
(1 Korinthians 11:6)
Incidentally, these behavioural injunctions apply also to men: ‘A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image of God and reflects the glory of God’ (1 Korinthians 11:7). Men, too, are to avoid vanity and disrupting the eikonic order: ‘long hair on a man is nothing to be admired’ (1 Korinthians 11:14). Men (laity) do not cover their head in the holy temple. The holy Apostle’s teaching is emphatic:
Every man praying or prophesying with his head covered dishonours his head. Every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered is dishonouring her head; it is better that she shaves off her hair. (1 Korinthians 11:4-5).
The joint-customs of non-veiling of men and the veiling of women is a beautiful duty, it is eikonic- it emulates the divine hierarchy: ‘Christ is the head of every man, man is the head of every woman’ (1 Korinthians 11:3); shows our reverence for ‘a symbol of authority’; and is done so, ‘out of respect for the angels’ (1 Korinthians 11:10).
And let it be clearly understood– the holy Apostle tolerated no complaints: ‘To anyone who is inclined to be contentious: there is no other custom with us, nor in the Churches of God’ (1 Korinthians 11:16).
If you arrive at the holy temple and have forgotten your head-covering please speak with Presbytera Susanna who always has a selection of nice clean scarves.
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Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
...and He changes the times and the seasons 