March is Antiochian Womens Month

It's clear from the Gospels that women held an important central position in the ministry of Jesus. The names of many and their role are preserved in both the Gospels and Epistles.  Women were the first witnesses of the Resurrection who brought the ‘good news' to the disciples.  Several women are revered as the first evangelists and ‘equals to the apostles'. 

The Gospels emphasize Jesus healing women and the special compassion He showed them.  Jesus often used images drawn from the lives of women to illustrate his teaching and parables.  His inclusive attitude marked a radical break with the prevailing culture as He exalted the position and role of women among His followers.  The Epistles and Acts make it clear that women were among the first Christian leaders. 

Women organized communities, offered their homes as churches, served as deacons and instructed followers in the faith.  The fact that these roles are highlighted in the Epistles, Gospels and early Christian literature indicate that such a position in the contemporary culture was indeed exceptional.   The central place of women in the life of the Church is affirmed in Scripture and history. 

Throughout the world, Orthodox women continue the struggle to break down cultural and religious barriers that would deny them their legitimate role in church and society.  In recent years the Orthodox Church has convened several important conferences to address expanding the role of women in the life of the Church, including restoring the traditional ministry of Deaconess.  These deliberations should be applauded and encouraged.

In 1997 The Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch reaffirmed the God-given value of women in the Church and ordered that liturgical texts which imply otherwise be corrected. The Holy Synod discussed certain matters which touch the lives of women and affirmed that women and men should be treated equally concerning their participating in divine services and receiving the sacraments. In response to certain cultural taboos that had crept into church usage, the Holy Synod declared that any archaic references in the liturgical texts which imply that a woman is somehow unclean or tainted should be abolished. There are no prohibitions against women entering the church or receiving communion.  This necessitates a new look at liturgical texts with reference to women.

During ANTIOCHIAN WOMENS MONTH we confirm the position of women not as passive recipients of the ‘message' but as active proclaimers of the ‘good news' of liberation and models of true discipleship.  We encourage all women of the parish to consider their God given role as disciples and evangelists ‘equal to the apostles' and use their many special gifts and talents for the overall welfare of our community.