Published by St. Catherine’s Vision, October 3, 2005

Women Theological Graduates to Meet

Antiochian Village in Ligonier, PA will be the site of an historic gathering of women graduates of Orthodox theological schools, November 10-13 of this year. For the first time, women graduates of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary will meet to discuss the important contributions theologically educated women can make to the Orthodox Church on this continent.

The initiative, called St. Catherine’s Vision, has developed over the past two years through the efforts of a group of dedicated Orthodox women, educated in our theological schools. Many theologically trained women now serve professionally outside the arena of the Church, both in the public and private sectors. Harnessing this largely untapped talent pool, as well as meeting their particular spiritual needs, will be addressed at the Conference/Retreat.

Some women graduates have reported to St .Catherine’s Vision that they are currently involved in a variety of ministries, including teaching, spiritual direction, research, administration, chaplaincy ministries, religious education, outreach, writing, music, pastoral counseling, mission, monasticism, as well as theological and ecumenical dialogues. Sharing these experiences, as well as supporting the desire of women who seek to be actively involved in the life of the Church, is one of the primary goals of the Conference/Retreat. St. Catherine’s Vision is intended as a vehicle to harness the energy, skills and knowledge of not only women graduates but Orthodox women who desire to serve the Church.

Through the generous assistance of a Lilly Foundation Endowment Seed Money grant, the Planning Committee has been strategizing for over three years and since July 2003, has met formally in a series of four-day Planning Retreats. The preliminary focus was on establishing priorities for the upcoming November 2005 Conference/Retreat. Dr. Kyriaki Fitzgerald, a graduate of the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, serves as the Planning Committee Chair. Other Planning Committee members, all graduates of Orthodox theological seminaries, represent various Orthodox jurisdictions.

For more information about the November, 2005 Conference/Retreat, including detailed Registration information and the Retreat/Conference schedule, go to the St. Catherine’s Vision website at www.orthodoxwomen.org.



Volume 7 Number 40 - Tuesday, October 4, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY