WCC NEWS: Orthodox women share reflection on their journey of “women’s gifts being released into the life of the church and the world”

Orthodox women at the World Council of Churches (WCC) Inter-Orthodox Pre-Assembly this week shared their continued journey in bringing their gifts to churches and to the world, and how to share their thoughts at the WCC 11th Assembly. Ruth Mathen of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church presents a report to an Inter-Orthodox Pre-Assembly Consultation to the World Council of Churches 11th Assembly. Photo: Albin Hillert, WCC 17 May 2022 As the pre-assembly consultation gathered in Paralimni, Cyprus, the women shared a report from an Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Women’s Consultation in 2019, held under the theme “Pilgrimage for Justice and Peace: The Journey of Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Women Today.” In line with the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace, the Orthodox women reported on three dimensions: Celebrating the Gifts, Visiting the Wounds, and Transforming the Injustices. In the report, they rejoice in “women’s gifts being released into the life of the church and the world,” mourn “every instance of domestic violence and sexual abuse, both inside and outside Orthodox communities,” and suggest future actions to address their concerns. “Given the experience of several Orthodox communities with persecution, displacement, and diaspora, let us seek to become unequivocal in our love and welcome of the stranger, and be profoundly oriented to the trauma and vulnerabilities of others,” reads the report. “We ask for prayers for unity amongst churches and peace between all neighbors.” The report of the Inter-Orthodox Pre-Assembly in Cyprus noted that the pre-assembly received with appreciation the Report of the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Women’s Consultation. “The meeting served as a platform to celebrate and learn from the innovative work and diaconal ministries of women in their unequivocal love for the stranger, the compassion and care of the refugee, the counseling and healing of the traumatized – all for the glory of God,” noted the Inter-Orthodox Pre-Assembly report. Report of the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Women’s Consultation Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox women reflect on common journey (WCC press release of 16 October 2019 WCC Inter-Orthodox Pre-Assembly: “the call for unity, reconciliation, justice, and peace remains our mission today" Women in attendance at the Inter-Orthodox Pre-Assembly Consultation to the World Council of Churches 11th Assembly. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland