St. John Maximovitch on lipstick and kissing the icons
The post quotes St. John Maximovitch on the practice of women wearing lipstick kissing icons, the Cross, and other sacred objects. According to the quotation, it is the responsibility of the clergy, and especially the bishop of the diocese, to prevent this, because lipstick marks are left upon the holy objects. St. John directs that a notice about this be placed near the entrance of the church and that the matter be explained regularly in sermons, since defiling a holy object in this manner is called a grave sin.
He gives two options for women: either they should not wear lipstick in church, or they should refrain from kissing any sacred object. He adds a further restriction concerning Communion: in any case, such persons must not receive the Holy Body and Blood of Christ until they have thoroughly wiped the lipstick from their lips. The post consists of this quotation alone, attributed to St. John Maximovitch, followed by hashtags on Christian and Orthodox themes.
There is no discussion in the thread; the text stands as a short instruction attributed to the saint on reverence toward sacred objects and preparation for receiving Communion.
Main points
- St. John Maximovitch says clergy, especially the diocesan bishop, must prevent women wearing lipstick from kissing icons, the Cross, or any sacred object.
- A notice to this effect should be placed near the church entrance.
- The matter should be explained regularly in sermons, since defiling a holy object this way is called a grave sin.
- Women should either not wear lipstick in church or refrain from kissing sacred objects.
- They must not receive the Holy Body and Blood of Christ until they have thoroughly wiped the lipstick from their lips.