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And of course I absolutely HAVE to mention the Theotokos of the Milk, where Mary's head is covered, but her breast is exposed while she feeds the infant Lord.

Sharon

(who covers her head, and tries very hard not to expose her breast - but baby hands can be very, very fast )

Dear Mother Sharon,

And I understand that the Patronal Madonna of Florida, Our Lady of La Leche or of the Milk is now also a Patronal Madonna of the entire US of A as well.

Alex

I have seen that icon as well. I was surprised and puzzled some time back when in an Orthodox newsgroup a person (a man iirc) was deeply offended by that icon. Showing Jesus nursing was somehow too earthy or demeaning. I seem to recall it being compared to showing diapers.

Yes, baby hands can be quick. I've worn my hair in a simple braid down my back ever since my first child, about a year old, got a handful of hair on either side of my head and swung on them.

Hilde,

He should not have been offended (although I am sure he was). There is an icon celebrated on January 12 called "The Milk-Giver." Go to:
http://www.oca.org/pages/dwp/dwp.as...amp;imageField2.x=26&imageField2.y=6
and scroll to the bottom of the page, click on the thumbnail for a larger picture. The Holy Theotokos is nursing the Baby and her breast is exposed.

Tony

It appears that this topic has flowed on to other things now but I have been thinking about the issue of head coverings, for women, and beards, for men. They seem to be linked in a way.

For me, culturally, I see nothing wrong with men going without beards and women without head coverings.

Heck, it was only last year that the company I work for changed its dress code and now allows facial hair, neat facial hair (many "orthodox" do not keep their beards neat). As for those who work or volunteer in the public safety area, beards can hazardous, if they are allowed at all.

That being said, I think it is wonderful when men, who are very active in church, have beards, and women, who are also active, wear head coverings (it is down right beautiful at times). But this is just an outward sign of what is in their hearts.

Sometimes, I think, for those that are not active in the church, that these "signs" are just that, a way to make them feel better.

As for requiring them, or for those that look down upon men, without beards, and women, who do not wear head covering, I think it is more a sign of whats in your heart than those that do not do what you want them to.

Just some thoughts,
David

David,

Just thought you might enjoy this.

My husband has worn a beard since the lambchop sideburns fused during the school closings when he was 17 and it was a blizzard year. (I've seen his face ONCE, and I told him to grow the beard back immediately. ) It's not a religious thing, he just got sick of having to shave three times a day, and dulling razors.

The first time he came to pick me up at Uniontown at the pilgrimage, he made the mistke of wearing a black T-shirt. People kept calling him "Father."

(I like the beard too, for religious reasons: I am opposed to needless suffering, and men with beards do not scratch you up when they kiss you, no matter what time of day it is.)

Cheers,

Sharon

Dear David,

It was wonderful how, when the topic went to nursing mothers, you said that it "flowed" elsewhere . . .

St Basil the Great said, "When I feel my beard, I know I am not a woman."

That having been said . . .

The beard is not only a male thing.

It is actually related to the flowing Oil of Divine Mercy as contained in Psalm 132: ". . .Like the oil that flowed over the beard of Aaron, down to the edges of his garments."

The beard was like the fringes and tassels worn on clothing by observant Israelites that signified one's consecration to God and dependence on His Mercy and Grace that was envisioned as flowing Oil over the beard and garments.

Even God Himself was described by a Prophet as having very long tassels that "filled every corner of the Temple."

So the beard has a great religious significance and the Old Believers of Russia were actually persecuted for refusing to shave their beards under Peter the First.

They had to pay an oppressive tax and to carry a coin with a caricature of an Old Believer with a beard.

If anyone showed up to an Imperial Banquet wearing a beard, Peter would hold them to their chair with his knee and rather unceremoniously crop it off with blunt scissors . . .

Sts. Anthony, John and Eustace of Lithuania were actually identified as Christians because of the beards they wore. For Olgerde, the pagan ruler, the beard signified faith in Christ and he ordered them to shave theirs off. When they refused, he ordered them killed.

I really can't imagine a Priest without a beard, it really goes against so much of Church Tradition.

I don't wear a beard, but I do have fringes and tassels . . .

Alex

Dear Hilde,

I feel sorry for that man who has such a hangup about breast-feeding etc.

As for diapers, yes, the cloth in which Christ was wrapped by the Mother of God is on display at Chartres cathedral as a Royal Relic. People wore little versions of it on their lapels . . .

The Milk of Divine Grace and the Land of Milk and Honey are all images for that icon "Mlekopytatelnitsa" in Slavonic.

The Mother of God nourishes us all on the Milk of Her Son's Divine Grace still.

Alex

When I returned to the Catholic Church I noticed in the Bible (Judges) about Samson taking a Nazirite vow. I read further and found that it was common practice even among early Christians (Acts). So I decided to do so also (not with the intent of wrestling animals or destroying pagan buildings though... ). So I've had some kind of beard since that time, and have let my hair (or what is left of it...) grow, with occasional crew cuts as required. Since I've started attending the Byzantine Church, I've let my beard grow a bit. One of our parishioners said once I looked "like a bishop"....lol. Now if only the inside did.... . Maybe all this hair is just a revolt against being in the military for years....who knows.

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Glenn

Does a goatee count, or is that not traditional? Because my attempt at a beard was not so hot, but the goatee seems to be working...

Dear Alex,

I think the man who was offended by the idea of nursing a baby on an icon would also not like the idea of showing a diaper. I think it was the idea that such things as, ahem, body functions weren't reverent or that they were "icky". (I wondered if he had children, too, and suspected not.)

If the point of head covering is modesty (in part) does a simple way of handling the hair, as opposed to the latest styles, also serve, again in part? My hair is long and in a braid most of the time, not "braided with gold" as St. Paul writes about, but with elastics. Just a thought for discussion. Since I'm new here, I don't mean to get anyone riled.

Hilde

Dear Hilde,

Hair! Hair!

Head-coverings are traditional and in some Churches if a woman doesn't have one, they'll give you one!

The girls in my religion class started wearing them to school - after I told them about it and just to be different.

The Principal is still annoyed with me.

(As is OrthodoxEast and Chad today).

Alex

Dear Qathuliqa Mor Ephrem,

Goatees are fine!

The beard has the same religious significance as do fringes and tassels on clothing.

It's too bad you can't share a picture of yourself with us so that we can all judge for ourselves!

Alex

Goatees Alex... ? Oh you liberal!!!!!

Spasi Khristos -
Mark, monk and sinner.

Bless me a sinner, Father Mark!

To paraphrase the Marxian platform:

"From each according to their ability!"

But that is neither "hair" nor there . . .

Alex