Head Scarf for ladies in St. Petersburg churches??

[Embracedbylife]

I just read on our roll call forum the following:

 

"Ladies, remember to pack a head scarf to visit Orthodox Churches in SPB."

 

huh?? Is this serious? Do I need to pack/wear a scarf??? My tour guide didn't mention this to me! which churches is this for?

thanks to anyone who has some info on this it's appreicated!

[RachelG]

Not needed if you are just going to the ones where tourists usually visit (St Isaacs, Church on the Spilled Blood).

[kruzseeka]

Also not needed for St Peter & Paul.

[justfoxie]

Yes, you will need to wear a headscarf to go into the "working" churches. Savoir on the Blood and St. Isaacs rarely have services nor does Peter & Paul. Kazansky Cathedral and most of the other small ones do and a scarf to cover your head will be required.

[Lair Bear]

Yes, you will need to wear a headscarf to go into the "working" churches. Savoir on the Blood and St. Isaacs rarely have services nor does Peter & Paul. Kazansky Cathedral and most of the other small ones do and a scarf to cover your head will be required.

 

Our experience was that even when a service is in progress and the local women have their heads covered, the tourists can watch from behind without head covers. Don't take flash photos, of course. To be honest with you, I don't remember in which church that was.

[justfoxie]

Our experience was that even when a service is in progress and the local women have their heads covered, the tourists can watch from behind without head covers. Don't take flash photos, of course. To be honest with you, I don't remember in which church that was.

 

In my experience, having lived there, that's no guarantee they will let you in without one and even if they do you will be seen as being disrespectful for insisting on not doing so. It is a small gesture, after all, when you want to experience their culture.

[sarbah77]

I knitted myself a lace shawl that I'm probably going to take with me next summer. Is that enough of a head cover or should it be 100% non-see through?

 

(here's the shawl in question: )

[LHT28]

You could always take a silk like neck scarf & when going to churches use it to cover your head then use it to dress up your outfit for dinner.

They do not take up much space in your purse when touring.

[justfoxie]

Sarah, that one would be absolutely fine and it is beautiful!

[Embracedbylife]

Thanks everyone! :)

[sarbah77]

Thanks, justfoxie! (both for the compliment and the confirmation)

[Lady Jane]

Good info. Thanks! I will definitely pack a head covering (reminding me of when I was a child and women all wore hats or scarves in church).

[TSC]

It certainly can't hurt to take a scarf - but the only times I've ever had to cover my head, the facility always supplied a box full of scarves - which you just grabbed one and put on.

[sailaway5]

I had to use a scarf in one of the churches we entered on our Den Rus tour. It hardly took up any room in my day pack. I make it a point to always pack it on any of our tours now (just in case).