Orthodox Women Theologians Awarded Grant On Behalf of Christian Unity

Published by St. Catherine’s Vision, April 5, 2005

The “Union that Nothing be Lost” of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement located at the Graymoor Ecumenical Institute in Garrison, New York, awarded a grant to St. Catherine’s Vision. This gift supports the upcoming Retreat for Women Graduates of Orthodox Theological Schools. The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement is a Roman Catholic monastic order dedicated to Christian reconciliation. St. Catherine’s Vision is a working group of Orthodox Christians seeking to explore more deeply and support the many ways women may serve in the life of the Orthodox Church today.

The historic Retreat will take place November 10-13, 2005 at Antiochian Village in Ligonier, PA. This will be the first meeting of its kind in the living memory of the Church. This initiative is blessed by the Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops of America (SCOBA).

Retreat participants will meet in an atmosphere of prayer, discussion and reflection essentially addressing the question: “How can the Church better utilize the training, talents and gifts of our theologically educated women?” Women graduates believe that the Orthodox faith has much to offer those who seek a deeper relationship with Christ. They recognize that the Orthodox Church has a profound obligation to share the Gospel of Christ and its traditions of faith with contemporary society.

Women graduates hold in common a commitment to witness and service through Orthodox theology, education and ministry. During the November Retreat, participants will identify ways through which they may assist in the “building up of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12) which is His Church, and share the light of Christ in today’s world. After this event, Planning Committee members anticipate welcoming other dedicated women who desire to serve the Church in life-long expressions of service or ministry to become involved with this initiative.

Representing the “Union that Nothing be Lost” of the Atonement Friars, Father Emmanuel Sullivan, SA informed (Presvytera) Dr. Kyriaki Karidoyanes FitzGerald, founder and project coordinator of this initiative of the award.

“The Orthodox occupy a special place in our commitment to Christian unity. We take our relationship with the Orthodox very seriously and deeply desire to further our connections for reconciliation with Orthodox Churches. We are happy we have this opportunity for offering this award,” stated Father Sullivan. “This is a wonderful opportunity to encourage you about something which we Catholics and Orthodox have to think more seriously about. This is something important . . . .The ministries of women . . . is an issue of discernment for both our communities [Orthodox and Roman Catholic]. Our award is but a tiny gesture. . . Nevertheless, it also carries with it a deep and profound wish for both our two Orthodox and Roman Catholic communities to come to full communion with each other. I felt privileged to do this.”

Planning Committee members are also in the process of producing a book that will examine the lives of various women saints. This book is being written especially for today’s adult Orthodox Christians and inquirers who desire to learn more about Orthodox theology and spirituality. These two projects mark the first phase of St. Catherine’s Vision.

“We anticipate the second phase of this initiative to reach out to other faithful women who desire to serve the Church in a life-long capacity. It has been our experience that women graduates of Orthodox theological schools hold in common a deep commitment to assist all members of the Church in their growth in Christian holiness and service, for the glory of God. Phase Two of this initiative, reaching out to other dedicated Orthodox women, is an expression of this deep commitment.” Members of the Retreat 2005 Planning Committee include: Susan Arida, Hilary Chala, Iulia Corduneanu, Dr. Kyriaki Karidoyanes FitzGerald, Deborah Hadjes Funti, Barbara Harris, Anastasia Kalivas, Clara Nickolson, Phyllis Meshel Onest, Christina Shaheen Reimann, Alexandra Safchuk, Eleni Simmons, Victoria Trbuhovich and Valerie Zahirsky.

For more information about the work of St. Catherine’s Vision or to inquire about volunteering to assist with this initiative, persons may email the Planning Committee at: orthodoxwomen@netscape.net. St. Catherine’s Vision will gratefully accept tax-deductible donations in support of this initiative. Checks may be made payable to “SCOBA”, ear-marked for “Orthodox Women Theologians Retreat Planning” care of: Dr. Kyriaki Karidoyanes FitzGerald, Project Coordinator; P.O. Box 477, Sagamore, MA 02561.



Volume 7 Number 14 - Tuesday, April 5th, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY