The priest explained whether women can enter the church without a headscarf.

According to ТСН: Well-known priest-blogger Oleksiy Filiuk from Ternopil expressed his opinion on Instagram about whether women can visit the church without a headscarf and in pants instead of skirts.

The importance of a pure heart

Filiuk noted that there are no strict rules regarding clothing in the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, as 'God looks not at the woman's headscarf, nor at the skirt, but at the heart.' He emphasized that it is important to come to the temple with a pure heart.

'The main thing is to go to the temple with a pure heart. Apostle Paul recommends that a woman cover her head. He says, let men bring praise to God with uncovered heads, and women with covered heads. He recommends it. And in another place in the Scriptures, that Apostle Paul says that the covering for a woman is her hair. So, there is no sin in going to the temple with an uncovered head. In my church, everyone covers their heads. That is our tradition. He says, let women bring praise to the Lord with covered heads,' says the priest.

The experience of other churches

Filiuk added that he would not pay attention to a woman who comes to his temple without a headscarf. He reminded that in the Greek Orthodox Church, women visit the temple without headscarves.

'The Greek Orthodox Church, ancient. Nobody there wears any headscarves and doesn’t even know. Similarly, many churches of world Orthodoxy go without a headscarf. This is not a problem,' said the clergyman.

Filiuk stressed that for believers, the purity of the heart is more important than clothing.

'Therefore, dear ones, do not look at headscarves and skirts, but look to make sure your heart is pure. And if you have the opportunity, have the desire, go with a headscarf. If you don’t want to – don’t go. Don’t quarrel among yourselves, don’t bite each other, because God wants a broken and pure heart, not headscarves and skirts. And about what is done secretly, it’s still better to speak openly. Again, Apostle Paul says: 'know that you are my disciples when you have love for one another.' A person came with a headscarf – praise God. Came without a headscarf – no one has the right to judge. Covered her head – praise God. Did not cover – the main thing is to have a pure heart. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine does not forbid women to visit the temple without a covered head. Of course, clothing should be modest, but one can come without a covered head,' summarized Oleksiy Filiuk.

Oleksiy Filiuk's comments have become an important contribution to the discussion of contemporary spiritual practices. He emphasized that for many people, the main thing is not so much the appearance, but the inner state. According to him, one should focus on moral values rather than external attributes of faith. This can inspire new reflections on tolerance and openness in the religious environment.