A man is the head of the woman. How should a man conduct himself so that a woman does not feel demeaned? How can one avoid extremes such as “You’re nothing, and your place is in the kitchen”? #

This question touches on two critical spiritual truths: the creation of the world and the Fall. St. Paul writes about this in his First Epistle to Timothy:

“For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.”

Indeed, according to Scripture, God created man first, then woman, and Eve was the first to sin, followed by Adam. However, there is a deeper spiritual meaning here. In a family, the husband represents Christ, and the wife represents the Church. This relationship underscores why men should pray with uncovered heads (except for infants and priests, who are likened to children), and women should pray with their heads covered.

St. Paul explains this clearly and unequivocally in his First Epistle to the Corinthians:

“But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. Nevertheless, neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.”

Clearly, the primacy of men does not imply that men are superior or more important to God. This is a spiritual distinction, established from creation, to reflect the relationship between Christ and the Church. For a man to live up to this exalted role, he must recognize and bear the responsibility that this spiritual likeness entails.

In the same First Epistle to Timothy, alongside his words about Adam and Eve, St. Paul offers guidance for proper conduct for men and women:

“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.”

If a man “prays everywhere,” “lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting,” it will be easier for women to “adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety,” cultivating virtues and “learning in silence with all subjection.”

If the man is an image of Christ, then, like Christ, he must set an example for the woman, who is the image of the Church.

—Priest Mikhail Rodin