Take the 2-minute tour ×

As I understand it, the early church began in homes but then at some point (it's another question) started meeting together in larger meetings.

My question is: did men and women sit together from the start or were they initially influenced by (separate seating arrangements of) the Synagogue? If not, how did it come to be a regular practice?

share|improve this question
Possibly the answer to this might help explain Paul's statement about women remaining silent. –  Wikis Apr 1 '12 at 13:08
In some modern churches, men and women still don't sit together. I guess I've always had the opposite question: How did segregation start? :) –  Flimzy Jun 6 '12 at 19:19
add comment

1 Answer

According to this source, women were not even allowed to be taught the Torah publicly in the Jewish faith, so they were not able to even sit in the same area as the men who were taught from the scriptures.

Restrictions applied to any public reading of Scripture in the Synagogue (Megillot 73a) and they were unable to pronounce the benediction after a meal in the home (Mishna Bereshit 7:2).... This was practiced in the Second Temple period of Jesus’ time and in synagogues afterwards; they were separated from men in the service. This practice is continued today among Orthodox Jews. Although today in most areas of Judaism (the reform side) much of this has changed considerably.

It is clear that Jesus challenged this trend in His public ministry. Even still, by the fourth century it appears that men and women were separated in churches, as St. Cyril of Jerusalem says,


It is unclear if St. Cyril was instituting a new practice or affirming an existing one. It should be noted that many Coptic Orthodox continue the practice of sitting on separate sides of the church to this day. Many Anabaptists also have followed this practice. Various cultures practice this also. Some old churches still have matroneums from when this was practiced.

It should be kept in mind that the early Church suffered intense persecution until the Edict of Milan issued early in the 4th century under Constantine. It wasn't until this time that Christians were even able to construct buildings that were considered to be "churches." Prior to that, churches were assemblies (ecclesiae) of believers who gathered in homes to avoid being killed for their faith.

share|improve this answer
I find your first quotation interesting but not directly relevant to the subject. The second is more relevant, but does not yet give an answer, rather it hints at one. Your last two paragraphs (your own words) are most helpful, to me, particularly your reminder that in some parts of the world men and women still sit separately in churches. –  Wikis Apr 13 '12 at 18:45
I probably should have summarized the main things I was trying to pull out from the first point, but I admittedly answered in a hurry. I will edit the response to try to make this clearer. –  Daи Apr 15 '12 at 23:25
This is better, thank you. But I don't think it answers the questions of when men and women started sitting together; it seems to be confirming that by the fourth century they were (probably) still separated. –  Wikis Apr 16 '12 at 5:21
I understand, and I probably wouldn't accept it either ;) –  Daи Apr 19 '12 at 2:21
No problem, I appreciate it. Maybe someone else will ring in at some point in the future. Search engines might lead someone here who knows when.... –  Daи Jun 12 '12 at 19:05
show 4 more comments

Your Answer


