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Not exactly a good hair picture, since in it my hair is tied back and not really visible. But I thought I'd post because I just returned from a one-week sailboat charter in Greece with my sailing club (Anthony, take note!) and had a great time.
Although long haired men are not common in Greece, it seems they are less UNcommon than in other countries where I've been recently: Australia, the USA, and Israel. In Greece, one occasionally even sees older men who are balding on top, un-self-consciously wearing whatever hair remains for them long and untrimmed. I'd noticed this when I lived in Greece many years ago - I left 29 years ago and hadn't been back until last week - and was pleased to see it was still the case.
Now what I learned, sailing for a week with long hair. (Note: this was aboard a 49-foot yacht, not exactly roughing it.) It doesn't really get in the way, at least not enough to complain about. I kept it tied back, just as I usually do; a few times when walking around in an island town, I ripped off the tie and pretended I was an older, fatter version of Yanni, sitting in a kafeneion with my eyes closed, hearing New Age piano music in my head. I brought along small bottles with my favorite shampoo and conditioner, knowing that I would surely dive into the sea at some point and need to wash. Although it can get windy on a sailboat - duh, wind is what sailing's all about! - I just brought a few extra ponytail ties in case I might lose one overboard. Although I did not bring along a blow-dryer because I use one only occasionally, a woman in the crew brought one and used it daily; as long as we were hooked up to shore electric or had the engine running we had 220V/50Hz power, so she could use it. (And on a sailing yacht in a place like Greece, one unfortunately sails much of the time with help from the engine; winds are not always strong or blowing in a direction optimal for your destination, and on a one-week charter you tend to want to maximize your island visits.)
Anyway, it was a wonderful way to unwind for a week, highly recommended if you get the chance! Best wishes to all for a good week ahead...
Don
Hi Don,
Great picture of you on that awesome yacht.It sounds like a thrilling adventure most would only dream about but I'm glad you were able to enjoy it:)
I know what you mean about being on the open water with longhair! LOL. I would definately have to tie it back and likely would stuff it up under a ball cap.If not I can only imagine the tangles that would have to be addressed later on ;) No fun that's for sure.I rarely go outdoors with my hair down unless the wind is calm.I do like walking about with my hair down as it just feels more like freedom.Too bad Greece isn't the longhaired mecca you would think such a country might be but it is what it is my friend.Anyway thanks for sharing your pic and adventure with us:) Cheers
Mârk
Hey Don,
First, Shalom.
I saw what you wrote about long hair in Greece. Greece is a majority Orthodox Christian country. Orthodox Christianity does not frown on men having long hair. Many Orthodox Christian monks have long hair as well as Orthodox Christian Deacons, Priests, Bishops and Patriarchs. In Orthodox Christian monasticism a tonsure of the hair is done (it is cut) on the four sides of the head (front, back, over left and right ears/at the temples). At some Orthodox Christian monasteries the local tradition is to completely shave one's head for the tonsure, this tradition is per each monastery and each abbot. Then, in many cases, a hair cut is never had again and many monks do not shave their beard either as a sign of renouncing the world and living solely for God. In many majority Orthodox Christian countries as well as in the the rest of the world where Orthodox Christians are found, some Orthodox Christian Laymen do not cut their hair either in imitation of the Orthodox Christian monastic tonsure.
Thus, in Orthodox Christian culture (and yes one can use culture in the same sense as one can say Jewish culture, as Orthodox Christianity is a way of life), long hair is not seen as a sign of effeminacy. It is often regarded as a person living a holy way. The difference between how men and women wear their hair long is in the styling and adornment. Thus, one would probably very rarely if ever see an Orthodox Christian man with a fancy up-do, golden combs, gold threading or some such adornment in their hair. Such adornment would almost certainly be seen as effeminate. African style hair for example with combs in it in a traditional way, would be more than likely be seen as something cultural and not effeminate. In a situation like African style hair, the person would probably be asked about it once only, and if they said that it is normal for men in their culture to do that, then that would be established and probably not commented on again in that person's parish except by a new person. The new person would be told the situation and if they made trouble about it, the priest could possibly become involved in order to make the matter clear.
Finding this out about long hair in Orthodox Christian communities was for me was a relief. I am American Indian and I have long hair in a traditional way either loose way or in a pony tail down the back (usually unbraided). At this point my hair is almost waist length and it is not a problem for me as an Orthodox Christian Layman.
One thing that I find fascinating, is that in Orthodox Christian living, oiling the beard and hair as adornment for men is allowed and seen as healthy. Since the oil helps keep the hair in the beard and top of head looking kempt and healthy, it is not regarded as effeminate.
Additionally, it is traditional in Orthodox Christianity for women to cover their heads in Churches since it is seen as their main adornment. Some Orthodox Christian women will always wear a scarf over their hair in public as an expression of Orthodox Christian piety, as is exemplified in the case of Orthodox Christian nuns. Men on the other hand, are not seen as having the hair of the top of their head as an adornment and so men do not cover their head.
Another fascinating thing is that many Orthodox women highly respect men who have long hair. One reason for this is many see the man as showing piety by not cutting his hair. Some of the thinking seems to be that if a man is always getting a hair cut, he is in great participation with the world. If the man is allowing his hair to grow long, he is not following the latest styles and trends and is allowing himself to be in a natural state. This is why among many Orthodox Christians of European and Arabic descent (yes there are still many Orthodox Palestinians and Syrians as I have met them in the U.S., although they usually get over-looked and under-reported in the Western Press) encourage men not to shave their beards. If one is keeping up with the facial hair style trends, that same time being used to this end is likely not being dedicated to God. So, in Orthodox Christian majority countries and communities around the world, one sees a vast difference in attitude to manliness than is usually seen in the non-Orthodox Christian majority West.
I just want to be clear that this is NOT a post with any other aim except to relate to your post regarding long hair in majority Orthodox Christian countries such as Greece. I hope Adonai Eloheinu blesses you Don. Be well :)
Wow, thanks for the detailed explanation of the part hair plays in Orthodox Christian tradition! Most Americans have little awareness of Eastern Orthodoxy in its various forms. Of course, I have seen many Orthodox priests with long hair and untrimmed beards; they were wearing their habits (is that what you call them?), not 'civvies.' Perhaps some of the longhaired men I saw in street clothes were religious laymen as you suggest, or just everyday Greeks expressing their traditional piety.
Yes, one does see a number of Orthodox and Maronite Catholic Christians among the Arabs of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, although in the PA they're supposedly getting scarce as the PA becomes more overly Islamist and the Christians feel ever-less comfortable there (although famously, Hanan Ashrawi, a minister in their government, is a Christian as is Arafat's widow). When I go up to Jerusalem, I see them of course: priests, monks and lay people.
Many blessings to you, too! Again, thanks for chiming in!
Don
Don,
Thank you for your kind words :). The term for the clerical garb one sees Orthodox Christian priests wearing (the black robes) is "cassock". In the United States, not all Orthodox Christian priests will wear them in public all day every day. In most majority Orthodox Christian countries, as well as the See of Jerusalem, one would most likely encounter a Priest or a Deacon wearing the black cassock. The reason for this is explained by the Priest in the parish where I go as the following. He says, "I wear cassock all the time because I cannot be one thing here (on the Church grounds) and in the community and another thing at home. I am priest, I do not stop being priest no matter where I go."
Thank you for the up-date regarding the treatment of the Orthodox in the Palestinian Authority. I can imagine with the tensions in the majority Muslim areas of the Middle East, that they could be being told to keep something of a low profile. One thing that I like about Orthodox Christianity, is that we are encouraged to remain faithful, but not to go shoving our faith in other people's faces in the normal course of our every day lives. If another person asks, say the truth, but do so lovingly and respectfully.
Thank you again Don for your kind response.
What a interesting discussion. I have learned something today!
Bruce
This is an eclectic group, Bruce, and the discussions are the ultimate in stream-of-consciousness! You never know exactly where a thread will lead. :-)
Don
Man, it wasn't too long ago that I was in Greece myself, and listening to your brief description brought me back! What an amazing country, only outdone by the kindness of its people.
I am slightly disappointed however, that you weren't wearing a captains hat to compliment that flow! I know that it can get a bit gross leaving the sea water in your hair, but personally I can't beat the way it looks with some sea salt in there!
Thanks for sharing man!
Hah! No captain's hats...I was the Deckie (deck hand), not the Captain! Actually, I was thinking of buying one of those black Greek fisherman's caps in one of the souvenir stores, until I remembered...I HATE wearing hats! So I saved my Drachmae...er, Euros.
You're absolutely right: amazingly beautiful country, lovely people!
Don
Wow Don, sounds like grand adventure and looks like you're a comfortable longhair!
Stay long,
Bruce
