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Greek Orthodox clergy will stay black and bearded
Some Greek Orthodox priests have asked their bishops to change the dress code: long beards, heavy black robes, large hats. Not only is the dress code unbearable in summer's heat, they said, but it makes them unapproachable. (The Associated Press puts it this way: "Opponents of the dress code say most women are unwilling to be seen with a man in robes and a long beard.") Too bad, the church said Wednesday. "The robe makes us responsible and protects us from any wrongdoing," Archbishop Christodoulos explained. The only relief is for priests who live in rural parishes, says Bishop Anthimos, a church spokesman. "Many of them have to tend to their fields. It is acceptable for them to wear shorter robes."

Missions and ministries:

• Toll-free Nashville prayer line gives support to all who call | The Nashville-based Upper Room Living Prayer Center receives more than 25,000 telephone prayer requests each month. (The Tennessean)
  
  
• Inspired by faith, the poor rush forth to offer food | Their generosity, they say, is 'what God teaches' (Los Angeles Times)
  
  
• Graham pledges message of love | Evangelist invites members of all faiths to Texas Stadium crusade. (The Dallas Morning News)
  
  
• Behind bars, the study of theology builds self-respect | Some participants are religious, some not. But they all want an education. (The Christian Science Monitor)

Crime:

• Cover-up | Arizona faces a "Waco-level" threat from Mormon fundamentalists. (Phoenix New Times)
  
  
• Prayer book turns aside shooting-spree bullet | Inspiration for the Heart from the Prayer of Jabez, by Bruce Wilkinson, offers prayers of protection in more ways than one (Fox News)
  
  
• Polygamist cop charged with bigamy | A member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is charged for having three wives, one who is 16-years-old. (Associated Press)

Other stories of interest:

• Religion not for us, Danes say | We're happy to pay the church-tax—we're just not very interested in religion (The Copenhagen Post)
  
  
• What would Saint Francis do? | The great man was not the dreamy hippie of the birdbath, however. He was made of stern stuff (Donald Spoto, San Francisco Chronicle)
  
  
• People's Opium? Religion and economic attitudes | Religious beliefs are associated with good' economic attitudes, where good' is defined as conducive to higher per capita income and growth. Yet religious people tend to be more racist and less favorable with respect to working women (National Bureau of Economic Research)
  
  
• Serious and silly | Religious action figures are battling for new buyers. (The Detroit News)

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October (Web-only) 2002, Vol. 46