Equal Genders

Our society in recent years has reignited the ‘battle of the sexes’ by attacking every place and every organization that honors the difference between men and women. Only in the Church, enlightened by Christ, can we truly see equality of men and women.

If you don’t see equality, either you are blinded by your own limitation, or you forget the limitation of a few does not mean the limitation of the Church. In the Church men and women are already equal. We have different roles, but different does not mean unequal.

Brethren, I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a minister of the church at Cenchreae, that you may receive her in the Lord as befits the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a helper of many and of myself as well. Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I but also all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks; greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. Greet Mary, who has worked hard among you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners; they are men of note among the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, eminent in the Lord, also his mother and mine. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Romans 16.1-16

It is impossible to ignore that Saint Paul begins this list of greetings with a woman, Saint Phoebe. She wasn’t just ‘someone’s wife’. She assisted in the ministry of the Church, worthy enough to have Saint Paul inform the Romans that she should be welcomed and respected.

The list of greetings includes several notable women in the ministry of the Church. If the Church were sexist as many suggest, Saint Paul would never have included such language as “minister”. He would never have highlighted women with the same honor as men.

Today is the Feast of Saint Euphemia the Great Martyr, who helped the Church distinguish the truth from heresy. She did this from her grave. Imagine A WOMAN was trusted by the Church to be the revealer of God’s truth! Example after example of women honored in the Church.

I can continue with thousands of examples of women who held the trust of the Church. Some were Empresses. Some were humble servants. Some brilliant noble scholars. Not one single one of them was a priest.

Only recently has this distinction been used to suggest the Church was sexist and prejudice against women. I have a theory as to why. We no longer have a robust Church, filled with men AND women serving Christ, the Church and each other. Everything seems to be done by men.

In the modern misgivings of the Church, the clergy are the ‘only workers’ in the local parish. Is someone lonely at home? Send the priest. Is someone sick? Send the priest. Does the youth group need someone to plan their next gathering? Call the priest! Need a flyer? Ask the priest!

In this system of Church ministry, the priest has no time to be a priest. Most local parishes have become a ‘Sunday only’ worship experience. Many clergy consider it a burden to celebrate the services of the Church. The priest spends more time as a youth director than as a priest.

It only makes sense that people would think the Church was sexist if everything that was done had to be done by men, because everything must be done by the priest. Since only men can be priests, the natural conclusion is sexism.

Imagine a Church in which services were celebrated daily. Imagine a Church where people could come for Holy Confession regularly. Imagine a Church that was ‘open’ daily and not just Sundays. This can happen only when we rediscover robust parish life, with men AND women.

I understand many parishes feel trapped by finances when it comes to staff priorities. That is a stewardship issue rather than sexism. If every member of the Church had robust faith and was as generous to the Church as our ancient saints, money wouldn’t be a problem.

The problem is, the modern Church is ‘stuck’ in a cycle. The priest has no time to function as a priest. Therefore, people live only the most basic and cursory faith. Without robust faith, fewer men AND women understand their role in serving Christ, the Church and each other.

Stop accusing the Church of sexism and start living a robust faith. Give to your local parish through proper Orthodox Christian Stewardship (even Saint John Chrysostom endorsed giving ten percent) and encourage the priest to focus on priestly duties. Hire more staff at your parish.

If you want to see ‘more equality’ between men and women in the Church, then focus on the life of the ancient Church. Read the lives of the saints, men and women, and start to live as they lived, serving Christ, the Church and each other.

If you want to see ‘more equality’ between men and women in the Church, STOP expecting the priest to ‘do everything’ that must be done in the local parish. The Church will be more robust. Your faith will be more robust. In the end, you will be surrounded by holy men AND women.