Why Do Women Wear a Veil in the Armenian Orthodox Church?

Deacon Garo Balian

Recently, a parishioner at my church approached me with a sincere and thoughtful question: "Why do women need to wear veils in the church?" As a seminary graduate, I was equipped to offer an answer rooted in theology and tradition. From my educational background, she had trust in me that I would provide a correct and meaningful answer. However, later I felt a sense of guilt, realizing that my response lacked the deep biblical and theological roots that such a sacred topic deserves. I recognized this as an opportunity, not just to inform, but to invite a fellow believer into a deeper understanding of the beauty of our faith. So I turned to the writings of the Church and, especially, to the powerful reflections brought together by deacon Gevorg Gevorgyan, who compiled insights from patristic and biblical sources in his article collection, drawing on the book titled "Woman in the Church of the New Covenant."

St. Paul, in his First Letter to the Corinthians, writes: "For this reason the woman ought to have a veil on her head because of the angels" (1 Cor. 11:10). This verse is rich in both spiritual and ecclesial meaning. According to the reflections compiled by Gevorgyan, this is not merely a cultural command but a theological one, deeply tied to the presence of angels in the Divine Liturgy. As the Book of Revelation (8:3) and the Gospel of Matthew (18:10) attest, angels are present during our worship. They observe not only our prayers but also our reverence and obedience to divine order.

The veil, therefore, is more than a garment—it is a "symbol of authority," as St. Paul writes in Greek. It signifies a woman’s acceptance of divine order and humility before God. This is not a demeaning subjugation but a willing participation in a heavenly mystery. As the angels cover themselves in reverence before the throne of God (Isaiah 6:2–3), so too does the faithful woman cover her head as a sign of modesty and obedience, reflecting the heavenly liturgy here on earth.

Church Fathers have spoken with deep reverence about this practice. St. John Chrysostom reminds us that the air around us during the Liturgy is filled with angels. The presence of these holy beings is not merely poetic—it is real. And if angels are present, then our conduct should reflect that divine audience. Some traditions interpret 1 Corinthians 11:10 in light of Genesis 6:2, where "the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful"—an event that early commentators such as some of the Church Fathers viewed as a cautionary background to angelic presence and human modesty. Therefore, the veil is seen not only as a sign of humility but also as a safeguard of spiritual harmony.

The compiled reflections also make a strong point: the spiritual laws of heaven operate whether or not we are aware of them. A woman who chooses to cover her head is participating in a mystery that the angels themselves behold. And by choosing not to, she inadvertently breaks a spiritual order, making herself spiritually vulnerable. St. Ephrem the Syrian and St. Gregory of Tatev both affirm that the priests, referred to as "angels of God" in Malachi 2:7, are also a reason why women should wear the veil—as an act of reverence during their priestly prayers.

Let us also consider that wearing a veil in church for women is not an act of discrimination between women and men. It goes without saying that women’s attire and presence are distinct. The veil is part of that tradition in the church, helping her to focus on prayer and the divine mystery. Women have their own unique way of embracing divine grace through devotion. Therefore, this should not be viewed as a discriminatory or divisive requirement, but rather as a means of inspiration in worship.

As I reflect on the parishioner’s question, I now see it not as a challenge, but as a grace-filled moment. Her curiosity is a door that the Holy Spirit opened, inviting her—and all of us—into a fuller experience of the sacred. The veil is not merely a rule; it is a witness to the invisible world. It is a quiet yet powerful proclamation of obedience, modesty, and communion with the Church, both seen and unseen.

May this article serve as a small offering to help those who seek understanding and, through that understanding, draw nearer to God and the Armenian Orthodox faith.