Ministries

Published by St. Catherine’s Vision, July 19, 2005

A New Orthodox Women’s Ministries Website

St. Catherine’s Vision, a working group of Orthodox Christians seeking to explore and support the many ways women may serve in the life of the Orthodox Church today, is pleased to announce its new website: www.orthodoxwomen.org.

The first project of St. Catherine’s Vision has been the planning of a historic Retreat for women graduates of Orthodox theological schools. This will take place November 10-13, 2005 at Antiochian Village in Ligonier, PA and has been 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 and hold in common a commitment to witness, education and service through Orthodox theology and ministry. They recognize that the Orthodox Church has a profound obligation to share the Gospel of Christ and its traditions of faith with contemporary society.

During the historic 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, Executive 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.

Executive Committee members of St. Catherine’s Vision are also planning educational initiatives that will be of service to Orthodox faithful and other persons interested in Orthodox Christianity. The first is co-authoring 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 three projects, which also includes the new website, outline the first phase of St. Catherine’s Vision.

“We are delighted that our website is now up and running. We are happy we are able to be of service to fellow Orthodox and the general public who are interested in women’s ministries in the Orthodox Church” stated (Presvytera) Dr. Kyriaki Karidoyanes FitzGerald, Project Coordinator of St. Catherine’s Vision. “We hope that the website helps women graduates and others learn more about the upcoming November Retreat, our book on women saints and other upcoming projects. We look forward to receiving feedback from all interested persons” added Barbara Harris, Retreat and Website Coordinator for 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. said Dr. FitzGerald. For more information about the work of St. Catherine’s Vision or to assist with this initiative, please contact us www.orthodoxwomen.org or email the Executive Committee at: orthodoxwomen@netscape.net.



Volume 7 Number 30 - Tuesday, July 26th, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY