www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News Orthodox Church of Greece to Allow Deaconesses

Dear Fr. Thomas,

Thank you for your kind words and for helping to clarify the traditional role AND position of the deaconess.

The role seems clear: baptisms (a liturgical but non-offeratory function), visiting the shut-in or sick females, counseling with the women of the community, and perhaps hearing confessions (but not conferring absolution).

The points regarding position are equally important: That they appear on lists of clergy (not as a "deacon," but as a "deaconess") and are honored with titles such as "Reverend" and forms of address such as "Mother Deaconess" are wholly appropriate.

A corollary could be found in the military where "rank" and "function" are two different categories. Let's take the naval forces, with which I'm most familiar.

A combat ship has a "Captain," (his functional title as the one in charge of the ship) although his actual "rank" may be "Commander."

For example, when Lieutenant John F. Kennedy commanded his PT 109 (Torpedo Boat) in WWII, his men correctly referred to him as "the Captain" or "the Skipper." Function/position = Captain. Rank = Lieutenant.

Now suppose there is a doctor (with the rank of Lieutenant Commander) on board a large ship that is headed by a man (with the rank of full Commander) whom they call "the Captain". In combat, the Captain is killed. The doctor is the next highest ranking officer, but he is not permitted to take command of the ship as long as there is any other officer from the combat arms on board (what we call an "unrestricted line" officer). Command would pass to a Lieutenant or even to an Ensign (of the "unrestricted line") before it would pass to the Doctor.

In this sense we need to separate out "rank" and "position/function" in the Church. It's not exactly the same, since we are a conciliar body called to act in the model of Christ's self-sacrificing love, but the core principle of "rank" and "function" works in the same way.

An Archdeacon may be "outranked" by a local Presbyter, but when acting on the behalf of the Bishop, he has higher authority or function and can "tell" the presbyter what to do.

Likewise, the lay Mother Abbess of a monastery reports to her bishop. No presbyter, although he "outranks" her may enter there and "give orders" unless he has been sent by her superior bishop. So she remains the highest authority in the monastery, although a visiting Priest or even a Subdeacon may "outrank" her but have no specific commission from the bishop.

In this way, those who shudder at the idea of reintroduction of the deaconess can be relieved to understand that it has a specific rank and a specific function. However, their underlying concern, that the reintroduced deaconess will quickly exceed the traditional function is certainly a well-founded one, in North America, at least, where we still find parish councils "hiring and firing" the ordained clergy while the senior clergy counsel the younger ones to "give the people what they want."

I believe that we should recognize that we are in a dangerous time, at least here in N. America (although that may vary from diocese to diocese or jurisdiction to jurisdiction). The Church in Greece is in its own situation and may not need to share the concerns that some here appropriately have. Having said that, I also wouldn't want our Church and the proper exercise of her traditions to be held captive by secular or feminist trends in society.

Let's pray that our bishops proceed in all of their deiberations with love, prayer, and close consultation with one another.

In Christ,
Andrew

Emperor's and Tsar's had some "rank" as well, their thrones or the place that they sat at had been located right next to the Bishop or Patriarch. Now it didn't stop there for the Emperor's and Tsar's could actually approach the Altar through the royal doors they would place their crowns on the Altar just like a Bishop does.

I thought youse might find that to be of some interest.

In Christ,

Matthew Panchisin

And Catharine the Great......did she walk through the Royal Doors and approach the altar?

In Christ,
Andrew

So, basically what are the "Royal Doors" and what is their "purpose" with regards to what has just been written in all of this discussion on "Deaconesses"?

If "Royals" Tzars, Kings, Emperors, and et al, are going through the "Royal Doors" I don't see any difference for a Queen, Emperess, or Tzarina ... Aren't they "Royals" also? And, as to the word "royal" . . .

shestelle

I have heard it said that Empress Zita walked thru the Royal Doors and received Communion at the altar when Ivancho or Elko was consecrated.

Does anyone have any more info on that or pics?