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I didn't realise just how confusing this sign could be. It was posted, in days of yore, outside every church and monastery
A notice like this is still posted at the entrance to our local Monastery. However nowadays it is written in correct English.
No Admittance into the church to women wearing trousers (men's dresses)
Here is cousin Caroline at our local Monastery covering her 'men's dress' with a wrap around skirt.
These long skirts are provided free of charge to those not dressed correctly
One size-fits-all long trousers for the men
Entrance is also forbidden to men wearing shorts
Or
Anyone in a swimsuit
Women with sleeveless tops
Short skirts . They should be below the knee
Apparently it's not just about covering your legs but also keeping the distinction between male and female.
Good luck with that
However.....
Local churches are far more relaxed. A few years ago there was an Archbishop who encouraged people to attend church telling them to attend
'as you are. In pants or skirts, tattoos and earrings'
I nearly always wear 'women's' trousers (slacks, pants or trews).
The English in menus used to be very badly translated. Something of great amusement which I miss
You'd open up a menu to find offerings like 'Grilled lamps'.
I wish I could remember more.
Every Greek child learns English at school now and most go on to earn at least one higher certificate. There's no excuse for badly translated signs or menus.
Ah, but those signs just add to the charm!
ReplyDeleteYes indeed. There are still of the old style around. I've got to remember to make a note or a photo of them!
DeleteA few .... Especially in smaller villages . In the wopwops 😂
DeleteLobster souls was one I never could work out. Even g**gle translated the Greek as lobster souls. (what are grilled lamps? Lungs would be my guess - in older English they are called lights - or is it simpler LAMB).
ReplyDeleteLamp is lamb. Grilled lamb chops is what they meant.
DeleteSometimes I still find it easier to look on the Greek side of the menu to order.
Lobster souls? That's got me too.
I understand the short sleeves, short skirts and swimsuits rule, dressing like that can be a bit disrespectful in a church.
ReplyDeleteYes, the trouser one always seemed a bit too much. But eventually I googled. Apparently there's something in the Bible about men and women's clothing. But men wore those long flowing cloaks and priests do too.
DeleteWhen I was younger we were at church and someone walked in. I didn’t see her but the priest stoped the service to yell at her to get out with slacks on.
ReplyDeleteI was only about ten or eleven at the time and I was mortified. I actually started ranting once we were back in the car.
I yelled what if she was coming as a last hope before despair causes her to unalive herself
For once my father actually let me finish and told me I was totally correct.
Pretty much for the one of few times in my life.
I still burn with rage at that priest
Even in Australia? There was still that rule here in Greece when I first arrived but it's only in monasteries now.
DeleteGood on you for yelling. The church is supposed to be there to comfort and help. Unbelievable!
Here it depends on the priest but trousers are excepted in all churches. Even the elderly women wear trousers, especially in winter.
I could understand them not wanting their monasteries filled with drag queens, but wonen wearing trousers seems a bit odd.
ReplyDeleteSome of the Monasteries are very strict. I thought it was just that women had to be covered up so the monks weren't tempted. It's just a way of keeping females in their place. They should be making babies and looking after their menfolk. And obeying the monks
DeleteHere too, wherever there is a religious institution of any kind, there are strict requirements related to women's clothing. They are probably afraid of something.
ReplyDeleteThe monks are afraid of being tempted by the sight of women's flesh. One of the monks here rants about women after every service
DeletePerhaps we should apply the same requirement for correct English on homegrown Brits!
ReplyDeleteIt's usually men at the head of religious organisations.. Why do they always feel the need to control women?
It certainly is a matter of control. It always annoys me so much when I see meetings of the Orthodox church here..old white bearded men who spout propaganda. The only female is the one mopping the floor
DeleteWhen I was travelling in the Republic of North Macedonia skirts were provided at the monastery door and no admittance was allowed unless you covered your trousers with one of their skirts. It struck me as rather strange as it wasn't as if we were displaying bare flesh. Once inside we were confronted by vast displays of alcohol made by the monks. Before I went into the monastery the minibus driver, a local man, told me the best alcohol to buy and asked me to get a bottle for him, which I duly did. Rachelx
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel. I always wondered why trousers are frowned on. They cover legs much better than a flimsy skirt. And that bit about maintaining the difference between the sexes is a load of twaddle. In the days of Christ both men and women wore long robes. Both remarkably alike.
DeleteMonks make great wine. They sell a raki and honey drink here made on Mt Athos.
Very good
Also I've changed my blog name it's here at https://blue-day3.blogspot.com/
ReplyDelete