The role of women in the Church has been hotly debated by all Christian Churches, especially as it relates to ordained ministry. In the Orthodox Church, this conversation has focused on the existence of women's ordination to the diaconate. This book traces the development and growth of this ordained expression of ministry in the Christian East. By examining scriptural, patristic, and liturgical evidence, as well as the lives of the women saints identified as deacons, the author demonstrates that women were ordained as deacons to dynamic and evangelical ministries of prayer, teaching, pastoral care and social concern.
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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"...This book is a must read.",
By A Customer
This review is from: Women Deacons in the Orthodox Church: Called to Holiness and Ministry (Paperback)
...Little known marvels constantly surprise the reader, particularly the Orthodox Christian reader, who is generally ignorant of the glorious history of women in the diaconate. The author traces this office from rudimentary New Testament roots through the height of its popularity in Byzantium and its eventual decline, though not final demise. Indeed, Dr. FitzGerald bids the reader to peruse twentieth century documents and debates relating to the female diaconate and welcomes her audience into a world heretofore pondered by select contemporary historians and theologians....The author also makes a sound case for the fact that women were 'ordained' rather than 'appointed' to the diaconate. Citing the work of two highly respected and dedicated Orthodox theologians, Professors John Karmiris and Evangelos Theodorou, both of the University of Athens, the author fairly debates the point. Her evidence highly suggests that at least the Byzantine ordination rite for women had essential characteristics which distinguished it as a major order. For example the formula "The Divine Grace..." was used; the ordination took place at the altar during the Eucharist [the same time as the male deacon]; and the deaconess received her stole and Holy Communion at the altar.... ...This book is a must read...The dignity and grace and direction it affords a Christian woman can only be welcomed. The author's ecclesial concerns, which are related to the female diaconate but extend to the issues of the diaconate and ordination generally, are handled with patience, refinement, gentleness, and intelligence. Certainly any author who garners the privilege of having both the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Patriarch of Antioch write a cover endorsement deserves attention. Thank you, Dr. FitzGerald for your twenty years of labor. "Axios". Deborah Malacky Belonick (These are excerpts taken from a more extensive review which will be published in "The St. Nina Quaterly".)
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
We take joy in [this] published work now in publication.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Women Deacons in the Orthodox Church: Called to Holiness and Ministry (Paperback)
"...we take joy in your completed work now in publication, related to patristic sources, Byzantine liturgical texts, as well as to the fundamental characteristics of ordination as a call to holiness and ministry....We wish that your written contribution may encourage and incite others to a broader and deeper understanding both of the tradition of our Church generally and of the development of women's special gifts specifically."Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople (The above comments are taken from the cover endorsement of this book.)
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"..Significant and thought provoking...worthy of attention.",
By A Customer
This review is from: Women Deacons in the Orthodox Church: Called to Holiness and Ministry (Paperback)
This is a significant and thought provoking study which will contribute positively towards the future of our Church...Many issues regarding the participation of women in the life of the Church have been addressed by the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Antioch...This study is worthy of attention and appreciation."Ignatius IV, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East (The above comments are taken from the cover endorsement of this book.)
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Inside This Book
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Citations (learn more)
3
books
cite this book:
- The Many Paths of the Independent Sacramental Movement by John P. Plummer in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Persons in Communion: A Theology of Authentic Relationships in Back Matter
- The Forgotten Desert Mothers: Sayings, Lives, and Stories of Early Christian Women by Laura Swan in Back Matter
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