Voluntary Renunciation of Power

Submission is the voluntary renunciation of power. Wearing a veil or a head covering which has this symbolism for the Christian woman is doing just that: I am voluntarily renouncing my power.

This sounds like such a dangerous thing. I am renouncing my physical beauty...and face it, ladies, our physical beauty is a HUGE source of power in the world. Women wield this power all. the. time. We are taught to do so from the cradle to the grave. It is expected of us. Granted, some women have more such power than others do, and some learn to use their powers better than others.

But the Christian woman who veils herself is voluntarily giving it up. She is covering up her "glory" in order to bring glory to God.

This is not an easy thing to do. It cuts to the quick and hurts us. But it is the kind of surgical pain that brings ultimate healing.

I'm hoping that by volundtarily embracing meekness, that I will be living out the beatitude "Blessed are those who are meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

I honestly don't think it is this temporal "earth" Christ was talking about. I think his pronouncement has to do with the "new heaven and new earth" that is spoken about in the Apocalypse.

These are my thoughts today.

"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." Philippians 3: 7-11

Katakalupto Style of Headcovering

Sometimes when I'm out and about and uncovered (hey, it happens) I will see someone who is wearing a scarf on her head and the only word I can think to describe how I feel is convicted.

But that was not today. You see, I've come to the conclusion that I pray better and more when I am covered, so covered I must be.

I don't know why I spend so much time waffling on this issue..oh, wait...I do know. It's because I don't trust myself. I'm fully aware that all of this might be prelest or delusion. So I'm constantly questioning my motives. And I'm vain.

All this waffling (aka disobedience to something God has called me to do) AFTER having spoken with my then-priest about this subject a few years ago. It ought to be laid to rest and the coffin nails ought to be rusted on this issue already. Lord have mercy. But I'm constantly bombarded with doubts and I always have to reinforce my calling by re-iterating what the head covering thing is all about.

It helps my prayer life, so that's what it's for.

It honors the Theotokos, so that's what it's for.
It is biblical and traditional, for crying out loud!

Ok, enough with the convincing of myself.

Today I found some lovely cotton voile, and some poly scarf fabric and some more lovely cotton voile at the Wallymart, for $2.50 a yard. Cheaper than dirt.

I got enough to make three giant squares (45 inch fabric, 1.25 yards). Did you hear me say "giant squares"???? So I made myself three new scarves.

But ladies, these are of the Hijab "Katakalupto" variety. Long. Hanging down. Covering the head, neck, bosom. Opaque.

Katakalupto is the Biblical Greek word used in 1 Cor. 11 for cover, or veil. And according to St. Clement, in 190 A.D. cover meant cover. Its food for thought. I think so often my tendency is to want to be obedient and have my own way both at the same time. What if cover really means cover? Hmmmmmmm.

Clement of Alexandria, AD 190-"Let the woman observe this, further. Let her be entirely covered, unless she happens to be at home. For that style of dress is grave, and protects from being gazed at. And she will never fall, who puts before her eyes modesty, and her shawl; nor will she invite another to fall into sin by uncovering her face. For this is the wish of the Word, since it is becoming for her to pray veiled." [Clement, The Instructor 3.12]

Hippolytus, 200 AD-"And let all the women have their heads covered with an opaque cloth, not with a veil of thin linen, for this is not a true covering." [Hippolytus Apostolic Tradition] ...you know I"m gonna waffle again someday. But perhaps the waffling will be between various styles of coverings, as opposed to "whether" or "not". God help me!

I am SO DONE with blouses that are too low and show too much girl parts up top. T-shirts under the blouses...dickies...whatever it takes, my friends. Whatever it takes.

Veils

I have added new veils to my etsy shop. I must say, they are very pretty...and just in time for Holy Week and Pascha (Easter)!