What to Wear When Mourning (Teachings of the Orthodox Church)

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Don't be anxious for your life, what you will eat, nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they don't sow, they don't reap, they have no warehouse or barn, and God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds! Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his height? If then you aren't able to do even the least things, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if this is how God clothes the grass in the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith? Don't seek what you will eat or what you will drink; neither be anxious. For the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek God's Kingdom, and all these things will be added to you.

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	What to Wear When Mourning (Teachings of the Orthodox Church)

QUESTION:

Are orthodox Christians required to wear black when mourning a family member and, if so, for how long is the wearing of black required?

ANSWER:

There is no requirement in the Orthodox Church that those in mourning must wear black. While there are some Orthodox who do this, and while the custom is especially ingrained in many foreign countries and cultures, it is not a teaching or requirement of the Church. In fact, one generally finds that at funerals, the clergy wear white rather than black, as our mourning is observed in the hope we hold in the resurrection and the eternal life God promises those who place their faith and hope in His love -- hope that is best signified by white, rather than black, garb.

Published in January 2011.

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