Myth-busting: Addressing the Myths around Ordaining Deaconesses

This session directly engaged with concerns and and incorrect teachings about the revival of the ordained order of deaconesses in the Orthodox Church, including such issues as: the unfounded but wide-spread belief that women are not allowed in the santuary, lingering and theologically indefensible connections between women’s bodies and impurity, and “slippery slope” concerns about deaconesses leading to women priests.
Panelists:
Very Rev. Fr. Peter Baktis, DMin, Mother of God Joy of All Who Sorrow Church
Sister Vassa Larin, PhD, Coffee with Sister Vassa
Carrie Frederick Frost, PhD, St. Phoebe Center Board Chair, Western Washington University
Held Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Moderated by St. Phoebe Board Secretary Dr. Helen Creticos Theodoropoulos