Which Churches still practice the separation of males and females on either side of the Church

[TimothyH]

I have seen separation practiced at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church for very practical reasons.

Many kneel and bow with their heads to the floor at the consecration and the ladies and men don’t need to be looking at each others backside. Its a modesty thing.

-Tim-

 

[Brandon_Cal]

I was shocked to see it in Bavaria back in the early 50s. Granted this was in a very rural part of Southern Germany, but the custom was there. Besides this one time I’ve never seen the segregation of sexes in any other Catholic church.

 

[Brandon_Cal]

I agree. I hope I didn’t give the wrong impression by my use of the word ‘shocked’ in my previous post. I meant I was surprised/intrigued. In fact I find lateral segregation far more egalitarian than the practice of a anterior-posterior separation. When I visited Hagia Sophia I learned that the mezzanine/balcony was for the women and the men would occupy the floor below. I imagine the women got the better deal in terms of vision and acoustics.

 

[TimothyH]

Separation is about modesty. In many Catholic Churches people would kneel and bow with their heads to the floor at the consecration.

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Remember that pews and kneelers are a relatively modern addition to Churches. Do men really need to be looking at the backsides of women at the high point of the Mass?

This is just one example. There have been many times I wish sexes were separated in my parish - a pretty lady won’t stop twirling her hair, a woman with a strapless dress in pew in front of me, etc. I just don’t need that distraction and it is one of the reasons I sit up front.

-Tim-