(Monomakhos) - Recently, Monomakhos has learned that several young girls are going to be tonsured as Readers in the GOA later today in Scottsdale, Arizona. Needless to say, this has caused consternation among some of the more traditional members of that jurisdiction.Complete article here.
These kind of occurrences invariably raise the hackles in the more traditionalist jurisdictions (e.g. ROCOR, MP, the Serbs, even the OCA). In truth, such shenanigans make it next-to-impossible to ever envision a united, pan-Orthodox, autocephalous jurisdiction in North America. If nothing else, the fears of the inevitable –female priesthood–can never be mollified no matter what sophistry the GOA brings forth to justify such make-it-up-as-we-go-along practices.
What follows is a link to the tonsuring service, a letter from a concerned parishioner who wishes to remain anonymous, and a letter from the Scottsdale priest to parents...
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Greeks to tonsure girls as readers
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UH-OH This is very not good news. Granted, the office of Reader is a lay office. Still it is by immemorial tradition one that is reserved, outside of women's monasteries, to men. It sets a precedent and will certainly be seen by some as the camel's nose under the tent flap. While I can see no real justification for this, I most definitely can see a great deal of harm.
ReplyDeleteI think I am going to bump this on A/O.
Not surprised given the group.
ReplyDeleteThe Greeks - what do you expect? Next up women sub-deacons. Never trust a Greek - bearing gifts or otherwise!
ReplyDeleteNice!
ReplyDeleteWonderful news. Antioch tonsures female readers and of course the Russian Churches often bless female readers - it's not traditionalists by and large that suffer from soft misogyny and clericalism - it appears to be largely a phenom of American converts. How to balance theIr often misguided zeal is the primary challenge for the Church today. In any case we can hope and pray for a return to the ancient Diaconess office all we want but in the interim this is encouraging news.
ReplyDeleteI normally dont read the referenced blog as it is spiritually unhealthy on so many levels. In this case I checked after the fact - I did not realize this was a case of children, which If it is a tonsuring seems problematic.
ReplyDeleteAccording to George Michalopulos (the man behind Monomakhos), the event in question has been cancelled.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.monomakhos.com/2011/10/another-nail-in-the-coffin-of-orthodox-unity/#comment-13449
Thank God.
I guess that leaves the Coptic Church
ReplyDeleteI have been told that the prayer used to ordain Readers in the Greek Archdiocese makes no mention that "the first degree in the Priesthood is that of Reader" and that by living "a chaste, holy and upright life thou shalt gain the favor of the God of loving-kindness, and shalt render thyself worthy of a greater ministry...". (Hapgood, p. 309). If so, this may be much ado about nothing. The text of the prayer used in the GOA should be made available.
ReplyDeleteThe issue of tonsuring girls as Readers is an issue only because the prayer defines the Order in the language above. Otherwise, it's more of a blessing.
Of course, it's equally odd to just start making up prayers and adding actions from other rites (tonsure) without (seemingly) a whole lot of reflection given to how the entire Church might see such an act. Thus, both the innovation (if it is so) and the parochialism (Greek = Orthodox alone, whatever the actions) are problems.
Is it, in fact, true that Antioch tonsures female Readers? Is this done solely in convents when there are no male Readers to be tonsured? What prayer does Antioch use in this tonsure? Is it possible the Greek churches have a different prayer with no mention of the "first degree of the Priesthood", etc.?
ReplyDeleteBlessing female Readers (as in Russia, and in most US churches) is different in that it in no wise places them on the path to Priesthood or Episcopacy.
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
ReplyDelete(1Co 11:1-15)
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
(1Co 14:34-37)
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not; a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But which becometh women professing godliness with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
(1Ti 2:1-15)