Since the inception of this project, and even before, I’ve been intrigued by the historic Christian tradition known as the churching of women. I’m in the middle of researching in order to do a deeper dive on this topic for the future, but for today, I just wanted to share a brief overview.
You should check out Carrie Frost’s Maternal Body if you haven’t already (https://amzn.to/3zfLfRm). She’s an Orthodox theologian with a chapter specifically on churching.
This is fascinating, and the first I've heard of this practice! I attend a paedobaptist church that leans more toward liturgical tradition but isn't nearly as liturgy-heavy as some. I really appreciate the concept of allowing a significant recovery time. I've never been a fan of the expectation that women should be back in church within a week of giving birth, yet that's so often the norm in many church cultures!
You should check out Carrie Frost’s Maternal Body if you haven’t already (https://amzn.to/3zfLfRm). She’s an Orthodox theologian with a chapter specifically on churching.
Yes! She's on my list, thank you!
This is fascinating, and the first I've heard of this practice! I attend a paedobaptist church that leans more toward liturgical tradition but isn't nearly as liturgy-heavy as some. I really appreciate the concept of allowing a significant recovery time. I've never been a fan of the expectation that women should be back in church within a week of giving birth, yet that's so often the norm in many church cultures!