I have recently returned from nine weeks overseas..I had the privilege of attending two meetings with Orthodox women from many countries and jurisdictions. Both meetings were organised through the generous commitment of our ecumenical sisters in the Women's Programme at the World Council of Churches and the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey. The other reason for my travels was to spend seven weeks at Bossey and WCC researching the archives for material for my doctorate which is focused on women in the Orthodox Church, using historical and contemporary feminist analysis.

The first meeting in Istanbul was held for Orthodox women from North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and yours truly! Kyriaki Fitzgerald and Aruna Gnanadason organised a very interesting schedule of speakers and visits during the week we spent together. Perhaps the main regret for many of us was the limited time we had to debate and discuss the issues and share more personal experiences in order to understand each others difficulties and successes in our various countries in our work and participation, and problems of women in parish and community life. However, we did share 'stories' of the work of women in two panel discussions - their daily lives and their contributions to both secular society and the Church. There is a possibility that a publication with papers, bible studies, and reflections from the consultations in Damascus and Istanbul) will be considered by WCC in the near future *

It was gratifying to meet younger Orthodox women from former Eastern European countries who have a vision for the future and their life in the Church. Many young women are studying and later teaching in theological seminaries. There seems to be a more open attitude, encouragement and opportunity for theological education for women in those countries where there are many more fiscal and societal problems than we face in the West.

We were pleased to have present throughout the meeting in Istanbul, the Rev Ying Gao, a pastor from Beijing in the Chinese Protestant Church who is working at WCC for twelve months learning about ecumenical life and co-operation between the churches. Our meeting was her first experience with the Orthodox church and women. Ying commented in our final session that: " to learn of Orthodoxy has been illuminating through the work, visits and liturgy... understanding of Christianity has been broadened... re-inforce our common belief of the Triune God... for previous prejudice and impressions changed as we talk and learn from each other".

For some women who are continually challenged by the possibilities for service to the Church, we were very pleased to hear Dr Constantinos Yokarinis, from the Faculty of Theology, University of Athens. He has written his thesis "The Priesthood of Women in the context of the Ecumenical Movement - a new perspective of Orthodox theology". Dr Yokarinis stated that "The priesthood of women is no longer a question for academic theology ..... Proclamations of an absolute character in regard to the ordination of women, without an exhausting theological research, can only irreparably damage the effort of Church unity". A further discussion was most stimulating, and we look forward to the translation of the thesis to English, for it will be a very valuable contribution to the ongoing debate, not only for ordination, but also on the whole discussion on the personhood of women, the place of the laity, and perhaps even re-examine the nature of the priesthood and the clergy.

We were received by His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew I at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and following a very warm welcome and words of encouragement from His All-Holiness, a beautiful icon of the Myrrhbearers was presented on behalf of the delegates. We were also received at the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople by His Beatitude Patriarch Karekin II. Archbishop Mesrob Mutafyan, the Patriarchal Vicar for Ecumenical Relations spoke of the traditional practice of the Armenian church to ordain women to the diaconate.There is no difference between the ordination service for women and men and service. Women deacons care for orphans, assist women at baptism, serve liturgically at the altar, read the Gospel and bring the host to the priest. Whilst at this time women deacons come from the monastic tradition, and married women are not in the diaconate at this time "we think about it".

His Eminence noted that there were 94 members of the Great Assembly, the government of the church, but only four women members. Though encouraged and pushed by the church, the women were reluctant and did not respond. They continue in traditional roles but will not assume leadership roles.

It is unfortunately true in many of our churches, that when opportunities do occur to encourage women to serve in leadership and responsible roles for the Church, we are often too hesitant and do not take the opportunity to serve where the Church believes we have the capacity, skills and faithfulness. Women in the Orthodox church are too often convinced their roles must remain in the traditional realm. We must be more willing to take risks and be strong enough to learn when we fail. Remember, men have been doing this for centuries, and they still take leadership roles, stumble, fail and fall and keep going assuming their authority as a given condition!

We were encouraged to hear of the possibility that when the Theological Seminary at Halki re-opens (and we pray for this to be soon) that women students may also be considered for theological studies. We understand that both the Patriarchs are in favour of such a change. Halki could well be one seminary where students from both the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Armenian Patriarchate would share what is in common, and each church have its own distinctive courses.

Following the consultation in Istanbul I travelled to the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey and stayed for seven weeks at Petit-Bossey. I was busy with my doctoral research in the Bossey Library and the archives at the WCC. A very interesting, rewarding and busy time. I was very pleased with the amount of material I found, though not always pleased with the contents! At the end of my research, I was again a delegate at the seminar at Bossey on "Authority and the Community of Women and Men in the Church". This was the third and final seminar during the Ecumenical Decade in which the Orthodox contribution has been so important in the discussion of the themes. Beate Stierle (Bossey), Dagmar Heller (Unit I, WCC) and Teny Pirri-Simonian (Unit II, WCC) were the organisers.

We were honoured once again with the presence of Elisabeth Behr-Sigel, who has given the keynote address at the three seminars, was the main speaker at Agapia in 1976 and the Orthodox voice at the Sheffield consultation on the Community of Women and Men in the Church in 1981. Her publication "The Ministry of Women in the Church" provides a hopeful witness for the ministries of women. We continue to be grateful for her theological scholarship. Whilst at Bossey, we celebrated an early 90th birthday for Elisabeth and wished her many, many years.

The seminar was ecumenical, and there were equally Orthodox and Protestant women from many countries and also included a young Roman Catholic man from Malaysia. Terence was kept company by Fr Michal (Armenian priest) from Lebanon. The issue of Authority was the focus of many papers, and provided stimulating debate in the four discussion groups that met each day. Worship was held each morning and evening in the chapel at Bossey, and alternated between the Protestant and Orthodox services. We were very pleased to have Mother Maria (England) with us who guided the Orthodox worship. At times we were joined for our services by other visitors at Bossey.

Bossey is an interesting place to spend time. Not only is it a beautiful physical environment set in the countryside, but is surrounded by magnificent trees and flowers, and continuously serenaded by birds throughout the day and into the late evening. The staff at Bossey, with the Blue Angels, care for visitors as though members of the family. The sheer joy of working in the library, or listening to speakers during the morning, then rising when the bell goes and knowing someone else has prepared the meal for you is a luxury for most women. The weather was rather wet, and a little cool, but did not dampen the spirits at all.

Whilst I was at Bossey during May and June, the WCC Unit IV Commission was meeting, there was also a meeting on 'Ecumenical Hermeneutics" and a small group who are involved with the War Crimes Tribunal hearings, and various parishes and clergy groups in Germany or Switzerland visited for 3-4 days at a time. Bossey is a blessing for the Ecumenical Movement and I feel very privileged to have had a number of opportunities in the last five years to visit and participate in the programmes at the Ecumenical Institute.

I wish to conclude with the following observations. If there is a critical statement to make about how we Orthodox women work, it is to say that far too often we hesitate to use our skills, intellect and education in situations where such gifts are absolutely essential. Too often, we allow ourselves to be excluded because of male opinion and attitudes that pre-determined the traditional gender roles in our cultures and in the Church. This is not related to being biologically women and men, it is the way in which we accept the roles, values and relationships constructed by society on women and men.

Tradition and biblical interpretations are imposed on, and regretfully often enforced by, women thus perpetuating the opinion that the Holy Spirit has no presence in the late twentieth century. I believe that our self-esteem and sense of self-worth is too often compromised, for even when we write our papers and recommendations for consultations, our words and sentiments rarely reflect the real passion and commitment we have for change and for the desire for the Church to recognise more fully our gifts in the faith. We must cease to play the game of obsequious verbage, cease to eternally cloud our real thinking with words that reflect long gone courtly language. "We ask"- why do we not "demand"? Why are we not assertive in our demands for theological education and for opportunities to serve in the Liturgical life of the Church as do Laymen?; why do we tolerate the village mentalities of some priests and community members who impose cultural tradition born of other eras and perpetuated as though they are religious tradition?; why tolerate and keep silent about the problems of society that are in our communities and we continue to hide them, speaking as though only "others" have these problems not the Orthodox Church.

Over the years since MaryMartha began I have received many letters from women who want to be recognised as fully baptized in Christ. Women want the Church to accept their abilities for leadership roles in the community, to participate in the education of the people, to serve with the gifts God has granted them and not have to defend every word spoken that does not reflect century old customs! As women of faith we cannot and should not remain quiet and submissive. We are called to speak, write and act for changes within the Church for the full inclusion of women as baptized members of the 'royal priesthood'.

* The papers presented at Damascus and Istanbul have been published :

Kyriaki K FitzGerald (ed.), Orthodox Women Speak. Discerning the Signs of the Times, Holy Cross Orthodox Press : Brookline, MA and WCC Publications: Geneva. ISBN 2 8254 1317 8