Single girls' morality and pre-marital life in the discourse of the orthodox church

Abstract

This paper deals with the discourse of the Orthodox Church (both Russian and Serbian) on morality and sexual aspects of behavior and dressing of single women prior to marriage. The view of the church is displayed through the work of its representatives from among the clergy and laity who discuss moral issues and dilemmas concerning the pre-marital period in the life of women - girlhood. The views of the Orthodox church and its moral code fully corresponds to patriarchal morality in Serbia and relies on its standards. In addition, it also incorporate elements of pre-Christian, pagan mentality and morality found in traditional morality, and thus the moral code of the Orthodox Church.

Keywords

• single girl
• the Orthodox Church
• the priest
• the traditional patriarchal morality
• orthodox morality