What should be the outward appearance of a Christian in church and outside of it? Are there restrictions? Is it permissible to attend church in non-traditional Russian but modest modern clothing? Can this clothing be worn outside church? May men wear shorts and sleeveless shirts? Can women wear trousers? How should a woman dress in a gym? #

The Holy Apostle Paul writes in the First Epistle to the Corinthians:

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient; all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth… Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God.”
(1 Corinthians 10:23–24, 31–32)

Clothing serves not only to cover nakedness, provide warmth, or protect from the elements but also to avoid causing temptation to those around us. Christians should dress modestly, without offending morality or causing scandal to others, whether believers or not, and especially in the house of God. Furthermore, it is inappropriate for Christians to wear excessively expensive or ostentatious clothing that conforms to flashy fashions.

In church, it is customary to wear special prayerful attire. Men traditionally wear long garments, such as kaftans, that cover the body. These garments are usually dark in color—black, brown, or dark blue. Some men, for economic reasons, wear belted shirts to church or, in rare cases, untucked simple shirts (as was common during the persecutions of the Soviet era; however, in today’s time of religious freedom, this is considered improper and unacceptable, as such shirts do not even properly cover the body).

Women wear loose-fitting sarafans (concealing the body, not form-fitting), with blouses or shirts underneath, and large headscarves fastened under the chin with a pin. Hair should not be visible beneath the scarf; for this purpose, married women wear additional head coverings, such as povoiniks (headdresses). In southern (Cossack) communities, women may wear slightly different prayer garments, but these also fully cover the body from top to bottom.

Young children in churches may wear caftans or untucked shirts, and girls may wear small sarafans. In large families (which are common among young Old Believers), it is practical to pass down prayerful clothing from older children to younger ones.

Regarding the question about “non-traditional Russian but modest modern clothing,” it is unclear what specific attire is being referred to. Could this include sportswear or tight-fitting jeans? Let me reiterate a simple principle: in church, one should not wear ordinary street or household clothing but special prayerful attire. This minimizes distractions caused by observing others’ appearances and prevents displays of fashionable or expensive clothing, which may incite pride or vanity.

Church attire should not be worn in daily life to avoid soiling it, as one should come to church in clean clothing. While it is not forbidden to wear traditional Russian clothing outside church, it should not be the same clothing used for church services. In the world, a Christian’s clothing should be modest, covering the body and not revealing it. Christians, both men and women, should avoid wearing shorts, sleeveless clothing, short dresses, short skirts, and the like.

Trousers are traditionally part of men’s clothing, and it is therefore inappropriate for women to wear them.

As for gyms, it is generally improper for women to attend them. If necessary (e.g., for schoolgirls or students during physical education), as an exception and to avoid causing temptation, I would recommend wearing some garment under a skirt that covers the legs (dark or colored leggings, but not flesh-colored).

—Archpriest Vadim Korovin.