nicholas1870
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« on: January 18, 2009, 05:10:39 PM » |
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I know this sounds like a silly question, but it came to me as I was reading up on Chrismation.
Apparently, the officiating priest carries out the Tonsure (the cutting of hair).
How would this be done for someone who was bald (or sported a buzz-cut?). Is it just symbolic?
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wynd
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Transfiguration
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« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2009, 05:13:58 PM » |
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I don't remember my hair being cut at chrismation.
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Quinault
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« Reply #2 on: January 18, 2009, 05:15:12 PM » |
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they cut the hair of babies at my parish, but not adults.
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nicholas1870
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« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2009, 05:22:37 PM » |
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wynd: Yeah, I was surprised because I hadn't heard of Tonsure as part of the chrismation. It's mentioned on Father Alexander's website: http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/baptism_e.htmQuote from the Prayer of Tonsuring Taking the scissors, the priest cuts the hair of the newly-baptized person in the form of a cross. |
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nicholas1870
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« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2009, 05:28:10 PM » |
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Quinault: Ah, so it might just be for infant chrismation then?
I tend to sport a grade 1 because my hair seems to grow very slowly.
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Anastasios
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« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2009, 05:40:07 PM » |
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Oh that's a simple one, we just snip at your ear. just kidding  |
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« Last Edit: January 18, 2009, 05:40:21 PM by Fr. Anastasios »
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Check out my personal website with 130+ articles: www.anastasioshudson.comDisclaimer: Past posts reflect stages of my life before my baptism may not be accurate expositions of Orthodox teaching. I served as an Orthodox priest from June 2008 to April 2013, before resigning for personal reasons |
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nicholas1870
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« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2009, 05:45:53 PM » |
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lol!  Alas, there isn't a "screaming in terror" smiley.  |
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John of the North
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« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2009, 06:02:55 PM » |
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Oh that's a simple one, we just snip at your ear. just kidding And thats if you survive the drowning, eh Father? |
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"Christianity is not a philosophy, not a doctrine, but life." - Elder Sophrony (Sakharov)
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Orthodox11
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« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2009, 06:23:30 PM » |
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they cut the hair of babies at my parish, but not adults.
They cut mine. I was 17 |
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Bridget
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« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2009, 06:24:37 PM » |
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My chrismation did not include the tonsure, I think it may be related to whether or not you are baptized.
Bridget
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SakranMM
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« Reply #10 on: January 18, 2009, 06:32:45 PM » |
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Wear a toupee....j/k |
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"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us..."
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Tallitot
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« Reply #11 on: January 18, 2009, 06:50:32 PM » |
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Most bald men have at least a ring of hair, in which case a couple of strands are trimmed off.
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If people cry at weddings...why don't they laugh at funerals?
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Irish Hermit
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« Reply #12 on: January 18, 2009, 07:00:54 PM » |
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The symbolism of the tonsure at Baptism is that
..... the hair is the first thing which the baby has grown alone
..... so it is sacrificed to God as his or her first fruits
.... it is also a reminder that as life progressses God may ask other and more substantial sacrifices.
This is the symbolism that I know. Is there more? There could well be.
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Asteriktos
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« Reply #13 on: January 18, 2009, 08:24:27 PM » |
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I didn't have mine clipped either. *shrugs*  |
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Anastasios
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« Reply #14 on: January 18, 2009, 08:35:31 PM » |
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after my wife and I were baptized and chrismated, when they tonsured her the bishop cut a rather large chunk out of the front of her head. She was not too happy |
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Check out my personal website with 130+ articles: www.anastasioshudson.comDisclaimer: Past posts reflect stages of my life before my baptism may not be accurate expositions of Orthodox teaching. I served as an Orthodox priest from June 2008 to April 2013, before resigning for personal reasons |
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JAWS_Thomas
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« Reply #15 on: January 19, 2009, 02:21:05 AM » |
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When my godson was received into the church he was active duty navy and had a completely shaved head and short goatee. He left that day with both his eyebrows and goatee a little shorter.
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"If you're an alien why do you sound like you're from the North?"
"Lots of planets have a north."
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Quinault
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« Reply #16 on: January 19, 2009, 03:52:31 AM » |
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Our priest only ended up being able to cut about 2-3 hairs since my son is so bald.
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Quinault
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« Reply #17 on: January 19, 2009, 03:53:22 AM » |
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after my wife and I were baptized and chrismated, when they tonsured her the bishop cut a rather large chunk out of the front of her head. She was not too happy I don't blame her! I would have asked to have it cut from the nape of my neck so it wouldn't be so noticeable. |
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ialmisry
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« Reply #18 on: January 19, 2009, 07:43:39 AM » |
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The symbolism of the tonsure at Baptism is that
..... the hair is the first thing which the baby has grown alone
..... so it is sacrificed to God as his or her first fruits
.... it is also a reminder that as life progressses God may ask other and more substantial sacrifices.
This is the symbolism that I know. Is there more? There could well be.
It is the only thing that can be sacrificed from the body without actually draining blood, etc. This symbolism has Samson in mind. They didn't cut mine, though I have plenty. My son, the same: the cross of his tonsure was quite visible for a while. Btw, they are supposed to put the cut locks in the baptismal water. Some just give them to the parents which somewhat nullifies the symbolism (unless a reference to the Fifth Commandment). |
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« Last Edit: January 19, 2009, 07:48:20 AM by ialmisry »
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Question a friend, perhaps he did not do it; but if he did anything so that he may do it no more.
A hasty quarrel kindles fire,
and urgent strife sheds blood.
If you blow on a spark, it will glow;
if you spit on it, it will be put out;
and both come out of your mouth
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Thomas
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« Reply #19 on: January 19, 2009, 09:49:35 AM » |
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I was tonsured when I became Orthodox and have never been to an Orthodox Church where it is not done. Father usually asks men that shave their heads not to shave it for two weeks prior to Baptism/Chrismation and usually they have some hair to cut. I have also seen eyebrows and beards cut before as well.
Thomas
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« Last Edit: January 19, 2009, 09:50:16 AM by Thomas »
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Your brother in Christ ,
Thomas
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Lily
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« Reply #20 on: January 19, 2009, 12:44:35 PM » |
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None of my hair was cut either. Nor any chrismation I have seen since.
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