www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Ordination of a deaconESS

Also, the restoration of the order of deaconess would possitively affect the relationship of the Eastern Orthodox churches with some of our sister churches of the Oriental Orthodox Communion. This is a very important issue for us since we are actively engaged in the reunion process with our Oriental family.

How so, FG? I don't know any of the OO Churches which ordain deaconesses...at least I know the Syrian Church doesn't have them.

I can't provide you with a great deal of information, but I did hear that the Coptic church either had or was contemplating restoring the order of deaconess.

FG

They are locking our cells now and I don't have much time to research the facts for you, but.....just kidding!

Here is some info. from the web page of Pope Shenouda.

www.redbay.com/newbies/hh/book2.htm [redbay.com]

www.redbay.com/newbies/hh/book6.htm [redbay.com]

Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch

Deaconesses are mentioned in the salutation.


"Patriarchal Encyclical before the Great Lent
February 12, 2000
[Home] � [Bar Ebroyo CyberLibrary]

IN THE NAME OF THE SELF-EXISTENT
SEMPITERNAL OF NECESSARY EXISTENCE THE ALMIGHTY
IGNATIUS ZAKKA I IWAS PATRIARCH OF THE HOLY SEE OF ANTIOCH AND ALL THE EAST
SUPREME HEAD OF THE UNIVERSAL SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN THE WORLD

February 12, 2000

We offer apostolic benediction and benevolent prayers to our brethren their Eminencies the Metropolitans, our virtuous spiritual children the priests, monks, nuns, deacons and deaconesses, and our venerated Syrian Orthodox people all over the world. May the divine providence embrace them through the prayers of Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and Sts. Peter and Paul, the heads of the Apostles, Mor Ya`qub Burd`ono, and the rest of the Martyrs and Saints. Amen."

[ 01-17-2002: Message edited by: Free Greek ]

[ 01-17-2002: Message edited by: Free Greek ]

Glory to Jesus Christ!

In response to David and Kurt: In the Eastern Orthodox Churches there is a division on the issue of Deaconess between those who had practiced the orders (i.e. Constantinople, Alexandria, and Antioch)and those who have not had the tradition or practice (i.e the Slavic orthodox Churches).

The Orthodox Church of Creece, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, The Patriachate of Alexandria, and the Patriarchate of Antioch are seriously looking into the restoration, first in the Female monasteries (this has already started and is actually being done in Greece and in some EP convents)and followed by expanding this ministry to the Cathedral cities and larger communities. The Order was suppressed before the Slavic Churches became independent and they generally have no history of the order of Deaconess and simply are not interested as it is not part of their tradition.

??? No call for improving Monasteries???
I have consistently advocated on this forum and other forums for both Men and women to answer the call to the monastic life. To me, the lack of recognizing this calling has led many good men and women into unhappy marriages and divorce. I do not see the restoration of the order of deaconess to be a challenge to monasteries. Indeed it may be a chance to also renew the more active type of Orthodox Monastacism that one was common in Byzantium. Where are the active Orthodox Monasteries like THE SISTERHOOD OF STS MARY AND MARTHA founded by St Elizabeth (Romanov) of Moscow? I fully support the three Orthodox Monasteries and 1 convent here in Texas by prayer and finances---what are you doing to support your own Byzantine Monasteries?

In Conclusion: I reiterate that without the restoration of the order of Deaconess, we are missing a Charism that was available to the historic Byzantine Church. That charism could greatly bless the Church Today with its restoration. I also believe that the monastic life for men and women should be upheld as a viable calling supported and encouraged by the church to those who have that blessed calling.

Your brother in Christ,
Thomas

Thanks for your comments Thomas,
This makes sense.

What am I doing? As far as I know, there are only three monasteries in my Church, with, most likely, a handful in the full Byzantine Catholic Churches.....

I pray daily for them, and support one of them monetarily when I can.

In the Catholic Church, with the lack of eastern monasteries, active or not, I think we are losing vocations. We really only have one choice right now, diocesean priesthood/diaconate.... Thats it.

I pray this will change in the future.

Also, whenever I talk about vocations I make a point to talk about the monastic life.

In Christ,
David

[ 01-17-2002: Message edited by: DavidB ]

The latest from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

http://www.ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=22939

Another stumbling block to re-union.

God's will be done in God's time.

In the interim, Catholics and Orthodox must continue to do what is beneficial for their respective communities and do so without apology or arrogance.

The writer of the article errs when he assumes that the order of deaconess is not organic, but an anachronism void of the potential for growth and innovative changes in ministry; ministry that is relevant to the needs of the 21st century.

FG

BTW: Look for the Orthodox Church of Finland to join the Greek, Alexandrian, Cypriot, Ecumenical Patriarchate, Antiochian, and Oriental Orthodox churches, as well as others, in restoring the order of deaconess.

[ 01-18-2002: Message edited by: Free Greek ]

Hi,

I was hoping Lampada would post a reply. I re-read her post. She said an Eastern Christian Church. I wonder if it was Orthodox or Catholic? To be considered for Deaconness is a big deal. I hoped she would elaborate.

Nicky's Baba

I've got a question. If there are Eastern Catholics and Eastern Orthodox who want to see the restoration of the female diaconate, why do some, many, most, or all (take your pick, I'm not sure which is appropriate) of these have a problem with female acolytes?

OOOOhh, oooohhh, me, me, pleeeezzzzzze teacher, I want to answer that question!!!!

Go ahead Kurt :p

I can't. I'm trying to behave myself.

Can anyone tell me why Fordham has a Cardinal when Notre Dame could beat them in football any day of the week?

That's easy...it's because God likes to spend time in the Bronx...it's more interesting.