Christian headcovering

Christian head covering is the veiling of the head by women in a variety of Christian traditions. Some cover only in public worship, while others believe they should cover their heads all the time. The biblical basis for head coverings is found in 1 Corinthians 11:2–16. Although the head covering was practiced by most Christian women until the latter part of the 20th century, it is now a minority practice among contemporary Christians in the West.

Throughout the centuries of Church history, women have worn head coverings during the meetings of the church — that is, when "praying or prophesying" take place (1 Corinthians 11:5). The style of the covering varied at different points in history.

Christian head covering was unanimously practiced by the women of the Early Church. This was attested by multiple writers throughout the first centuries of Christianity. The early Christian writer Tertullian (150 - 220 A.D.) explains that in his day, the Corinthian church was still practicing head covering. This is only 150 years after the Apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians. He said, “So, too, did the Corinthians themselves understand [Paul]. In fact, at this day the Corinthians do veil their virgins. What the apostles taught, their disciples approve.”Clement of Alexandria (150 – 215 A.D.), an early theologian, wrote, “Woman and man are to go to church decently attired...for this is the wish of the Word, since it is becoming for her to pray veiled.” Another theologian, Hippolytus of Rome (170 - 236 A.D.) while giving instructions for church gatherings said "...let all the women have their heads covered with an opaque cloth..." “Early church history bears witness that in Rome, Antioch, and Africa the custom [of wearing the head covering] became the norm [for the Church].”

Later, in the 4th Century AD, the church leader John Chrysostom (347 - 407 A.D.) stated, “…the business of whether to cover one’s head was legislated by nature (see 1 Cor 11:14-15). When I say “nature,” I mean “God.” For he is the one who created nature. Take note, therefore, what great harm comes from overturning these boundaries! And don’t tell me that this is a small sin.”Jerome (347 - 420 A.D.) noted that Christian women in Egypt and Syria do not “go about with heads uncovered in defiance of the apostle’s command, for they wear a close-fitting cap and a veil.”Augustine of Hippo (354 - 430 A.D.) writes, "It is not becoming, even in married women, to uncover their hair, since the apostle commands women to keep their heads covered."Early Christian art also confirms that women wore headcoverings during this time period.

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