DRESSING FOR GOD Every Christian (and non-Christians, too) should use their best judgment before entering an Orthodox church. The church is not just any ordinary place. It is the House of God. When we enter, we do so humbly, with a sense of unworthiness. We dress as modestly and respectfully as we can, because we are in the presence of God Himself. If invited by any earthly king or queen, we would dress in our finest clothes. Therefore, we should dress similarly when accepting an invitation from the Lord of Heaven.
The way Orthodox Christians dress, both in and outside the temple, reflects their way of life and dedication to and fear of God. We dress modestly at all times, not in a flashy or provocative way that brings attention to ourselves. Below are some general guidelines for what to wear in an Orthodox church. Keep in mind these vary slightly from parish to parish, depending on the archdiocese (Greek, Russian, Serbian, etc.).
DRESS CODE FOR GENTLEMEN The dress code for men attending an Orthodox church is rather simple:
Collared, button-up shirts Clean dress pants (no shorts, even in the summer, and no jeans) Sweaters or vests Ties and coats (not required, but always appropriate) When wearing a button-up shirt, you can either button to the collar or leave the first button undone. Leaving more than one button undone is inappropriate for worship. Moreover, men should not wear excessively tight dress shirts and pants, and instead opt for loose-fitting, modest clothes. (Modesty and humility aren’t just for the ladies; men can distract women, too!) Lastly, avoid wearing clothes with any words or logos on them.
DRESS CODE FOR LADIES Women may have a more difficult time finding appropriate clothing to wear to an Orthodox church. The main reason for this is the overabundance of immodest clothing sold in stores these days. Ladies, try your best to find:
Modest dresses and blouses (avoid low-cut necklines or open backs) Sleeves (no sleeveless tops, unless you wear a sweater to cover the shoulders) Knee-length skirts or longer Clean dress pants As with the gentlemen, ladies should refrain from wearing jeans or shorts to services. Ladies, we must also avoid short skirts, skin-tight clothing, strapless tops, and clothing with writing or logos on it. When it comes to footwear, so long as your dress shoes or sandals are clean and have backs, they are generally acceptable.
WHAT TO WEAR TO CHURCH IN THE SUMMER Depending on where you live, summers can get brutal with the heat. Many people struggle to find clothing that is appropriate to wear to Orthodox churches during these hotter months. However, regardless of the temperature, modesty in the house of God is still important. Therefore, all the other dress code guidelines we stressed above still apply in summer, too. Here are some helpful tips for finding modest clothing in the summer:
Wear breathable fabrics, like cotton, linen, or rayon Choose lighter colors that reflect light instead of absorbing it Ladies: wear long flowing skirts to allow your legs to breathe; modest maxi dresses are also a great option Gentlemen: opt for khakis and a nice collared, button-up short sleeved shirt
