Response from the Ecumenical Patriarch

The petition that you all have signed, often with heartfelt comments, has not only been received at the Phanar, but has also brought a letter of encouragement from the Ecumenical Patriarch himself. Patriarch Bartholomew writes, “The presence and voice of women as a significant segment, if not the majority of our pious believers, are vital for sustaining our faith. Therefore, your interest in and prayers for the forthcoming Holy and Great Council in Crete are both welcome and heartening. “As you are aware, our Ecumenical Patriarchate announced some time ago that two women are included among the six advisors of its official delegation, in accordance with what was approved at the last Synaxis of Primates in Chambesy-Geneva in January 2016. With only days remaining before the Council convenes, it would require a Pan-Orthodox decision to adopt a different policy. Nonetheless, your ongoing effort and encouragement within your respective Churches for greater openness to women, within the canonical boundaries of tradition, will greatly enrich the life of our Church.” Although it was always unlikely, given the short time-frame, that we would achieve a full-fledged women’s delegation to the Council, the Patriarch, in his personally-signed letter, is indicating his firm support of women finding clear and appropriate ways to make themselves heard within the Churches. With that in mind, the short-term plan is that the petition and supporting documents will arrive in the hands of the other patriarchs, to encourage them to follow His All-Holiness’s lead in including women advisers in his own delegation. As for the long term, I hope you consider seeking out ways to allow this patriarchal encouragement to help your own efforts percolate through your liturgical, parochial, and missional lives. Let us know about your efforts and your successes—they are all important.