"By confusing the existing with the nonexistent, the ritualistic religious outlook was extended to ordinary objects and customs of everyday life as well: everything native and Russian seemed Orthodox and everything alien was heretical and "heathen". Russians wore beards, and the beard became an essential symbol of being Orthodox, while the clean-shaven face was a sign of belonging to the Latin heresy. The council of the Hundred Chapters forbade the celebration of funeral services for those without beards, as well as the offering of communion bread or candles on his behalf; he should be counted with the unbelievers."
(quoted by Fr Schmemann in "The Historical Road of Eastern Orthodoxy")
14 comments:
quis pro? to show a tendency toward philetism in Russia? was there some further commentary intended? :)
Just some thought for those of us who weren't born-and-beard Orthodox . . .
As moustache we all wish we were . . .
No burns intended . . .
Nor am I trying to cause my brother to stubble . . .
My only hope is that we might all be shaved.
I'll try not to lose face over you comments, but I did find them a bit lippy. Even though I whis-cursing you before, I decided it would be best no to go-tease-ing you. So keep your chin up... I'll trim-my best to control myself.
I am pleased to see that this discussion is growing. I'll try not to over-shadow it too much with my cheeky comments.
Phil, I thank you for keeping an eye on your words and not lashing out at us in this hairy exchange. Everyone knows-hair discussions can get long and it'snot my nature to simply blow them off.
Well I'd love to sculpt a few more comments, but I have to head off to Church now.
...........
"our lives are... different from other people's."
As much as I comb over all this folli, cle-arly the entire escalpade was baldly perpetrated by a few, and it's time for them toupee forehead. Magdalen played a part, it's true, but hair loss.
Friends, have we truly beard our souls? We wax geloquent, but have we been the moussed we can be? Have we led our brushers and scissors into the trim of style? We have fallen hair. Let'spray we might still razor selves.
Jesse, I think our souls will be some-mowhok-ay, even if we receive afro-wn hair and there. Maybe we've bun taking too mushroom with our comments, but I don't think it will en-tail any perm-anent damage to our souls. I will,however, mullet over and try to buzz safer with my comments.
That'zit?
Oh. My. Goodness.
Don't you guys have a life you have to get to?
Crystal
We have lives? Doesn't going to Church qualify? :S
Neo
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