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I was wondering what are the appropiate colors for head scarves during the liturgical season? I've seen red worn during the nativity season and assume blue is worn for Marian feasts, but what about Lent, Pentecost, Theophany, etc.
Is there a difference in what colors are worn on weekdays and Sundays?
Is it the same as the priest vestment colors or is it different for laity?

Thanks for your input.

Peace,
Indigo

Oh, and when you answer please specify whether you're referring to the eastern catholic, roman catholic, e orthodox or o othodox church.

I am Orthodox and attend an OCA church.

Our priest has told us to not wear red or white clothing on Good Friday. Some people still do not listen. BTW, red is a joyful color for the Russians and so the church is decorated in red during the Nativity.

And not to wear black or somber clothing on Pascha, but to prefer the bright colors like white or the pastels.

The rest of the year, he has not said anything at all.

If you think about it, this advice makes perfect sense. Most of us still follow the etiquette dictate to wear black or very dark clothes to funerals and wakes, and would never wear red or white to a funeral (unless one is a small child--they can wear white to funerals) so that would make sense for Good Friday--a day of mourning...

( though I once saw someone wear lime green to a wake )

Also,many of us wear bright or happy colors, for feasts, weddings, and joyous occasions, so that would make perfect sense for Pascha=the most joyous of all feasts!

Alice

I've never heard of any gal coordinating a head scarf to match the color of the vestments and other ecclesiastical coverings! Since a scarf (or a shirt, or any other article of clothing) is not a vestment, there are no rules as to what color or fabric it should be--men and women are free to wear any color clothing in church!

That being said, I have been known to wear a green shirt on Pentecost.

Dave

ALICE:

Christ is Born!! Glorify Him!!!

Would that this were still true to a large extent, though you probably live in social circles that still have a sense of etiquette. How about ripped blue jeans and bare midriffs for gals and stained tee shirts with ripped jeans for guys. And how about when the motor cycle club comes with leathers? I will give the latter this, though, that they are always ladies and gentlemen who behave with the utmost respect and courtesy toward the building and staff--something that cannot always be said for others we serve. I'm impressed when a gentleman wears a suit; women still seem to be father ahead in dressing for the occasion.

I love working with the public because it's always a surprise and always a learning experience.

In Christ,

BOB

DAVE:

Christ is Born!! Glorify Him!!!

You're certainly more brave than I. I just had the staff abuzz the other day because I wore a grey shirt to work--they'd never seen me in anything but a starched and pressed white shirt in over 11 years on the job.

In Christ,

BOB

I believe in dressing conservatively for Church and any type of religious ceremony whether it be a wedding or a funeral. I have on occasion worn fancier rings or cuff-links to a wedding, but I think it is best to be dressed in a conservative manner for Church. After all, we go to Church to honor Our Lord, not to be in a fashion show.

Sorry if I sound like an old prude!

Peace

I am Ukrainian Orthodox and our priests have never instructed the laity to wear or not wear specific colours.
I am wondering if the OCA priest mentioned above was a convert.
In Eastern Europe people wore their best clothing to church. Just think of all the colourful embroidery.

No, the Orthodox Priest is from a long line of Orthodox Priests. I think he only mentioned it because of the large number of converts who have no clue. It is strange to see all the white and red on Good Friday for the Lamentations.

About 14 years ago, when I was new to Orthodoxy, I took a protestant to the Good Friday service, and she decided to wear white because it was a hot day in May and she had already celebrated Easter. There was a 5 week difference with the Western Easter. She nearly died of embarrassment because everyone was wearing black or navy blue with an occasional red dress here and there. That was the last time she went to church with me and my priest sternly corrected me for that incident.

There is an RC church across from the beach at Waikiki. It has a sign stating that shorts are welcome, but please no bathing suits . . .

hawk

In my Melkite tradition most of the ladies wear white, although for some occasions they will wear black. That is, if they wear head covering at all.

Fr. Deacon Ed

Fr. Deacon, do the ladies wear white or black scarves during particular liturgical feasts, and, what are they?

Peace,
Indigo

Where I'm from if any woman wears something on her head it is one of those HUGE hats.

I wear a black mantilla, and only one other lady in our parish covers her head and she wears whatever scarf (I think last Sunday it was blue). I would feel very weird in any color but black, except maybe for navy blue or dark brown.
Oh, and I'm Byzantine Catholic.

Sieglinde