Deaconess, Speaking in the church - 1 Corinthians 14, 1 Tim 2

1. Men and Women
Their Roles in the Church
Ehab Roufail

2. Outline
The Roles we have in the Church
 The Seven Orders - Clerical
 Church Council
 Servants and Leaders of services

3. Seven orders of the
Church of God
The Roles we have in the Church
 The Seven Orders – Clerical
– Reader,
– Subdeacon,
– Deacon,
– Archdeacon,
– Priest,
– Chief Priest
– Bishop

4. Deacons and
Deaconesses
 Where are the monks?
 The office of Deacon and Deaconess
– Phoebe, who was a disciple of St. Paul the
Apostle
– St. Macrina, the older sister of St. Basil the Great
and St. Gregory of Nyssa,
– Theosevia, and Olympia, the trusted assistant of
St. John Chrysostom.
– These women were both pious and cultivated,
capable of discussing theological problems.

5. Deacons and
Deaconesses
St. John Chrysostom describes the qualities of an ideal
deaconess in the person of Olympia, whom he considers as the
embodiment of an ideal deaconess,
Because she was full of reverence; she venerated and honored
the bishops and priests.
She welcomed the ascetics, and cared for the virgins and
widows, as well as raised the orphans and cared for the elderly
and weak women.
Also, she attended to the poor with her material possessions,
and catechized many unbelieving women. Additionally, she
helped St. John Chrysostom and was his loyal aide to whom he
wrote seventeen letters from his exile.

6. Deacons and
Deaconesses
St. John Chrysostom describes the qualities of an ideal
deaconess in the person of Olympia, whom he considers as the
embodiment of an ideal deaconess,
Because she was full of reverence; she venerated and honored
the bishops and priests.
She welcomed the ascetics, and cared for the virgins and
widows, as well as raised the orphans and cared for the elderly
and weak women.
Also, she attended to the poor with her material possessions,
and catechized many unbelieving women. Additionally, she
helped St. John Chrysostom and was his loyal aide to whom he
wrote seventeen letters from his exile.

7. On Women Speaking in
the Assembled Church
 'For God is not a God of disorder but of
peace. As in all congregations of the saints,
women should remain silent in the churches.
They are not allowed to speak, but must be
in submission, as the Law says. If they want
to enquire about something, they should ask
their own husbands at home; for it is
disgraceful for a woman to speak in church.'
1Cor. 14:33-35

8. On Women Speaking in
the Assembled Church
 'A woman should learn in quietness and full
submission. I do not permit a woman to
teach or to have authority over a man; she
must be silent. For Adam was formed first,
then Eve.‘ 1Timothy 2: 11-13
 'There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor
free, male nor female, for you are all one in
Christ Jesus.‘ Gal. 3:28

9. On Women Speaking in
the Assembled Church
 'Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea
and stayed at the house of Phillip the
evangelist, one of the Seven. He had four
unmarried daughters who prophesied.‘ Acts
21:8-9
 'And every woman who prays or prophesies
with her head uncovered dishonours her
head…‘ 1Cor. 11:5

10. On Women Speaking in
the Assembled Church
 'But everyone who prophesies speaks to men
for their strengthening, encouragement and
comfort. He who speaks in a tongue edifies
himself, but he who prophesies edifies the
church.‘ 1Cor 14:3

11. On Women Speaking in
the Assembled Church
 'An early tradition of the Church is that women
shall keep silent and not talk during the
Liturgy. While they are permitted to prophesy
(11:5) they are not allowed to simply converse
(see also 1 Tim. 2:12).
 With the spiritual gifts (12:12-27), all are equal
in Christ, while the order of the original
creation remains in the new creation.‘ From
the Orthodox Study Bible - 1Cor 14:34-36
Commentary…

12. On Women Speaking in
the Assembled Church
 'I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant
(deaconess) of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive
her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist
her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she
has been a helper of many and of myself also.
 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
who risked their own knecks for my life, to whom not only I
give thanks, but also all the churches of the gentiles.
 Likewise also greet the church that is in their house. Greet my
Beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.
Greet Mary, who laboured much for us.'
 Romans 16: 1-6

13. On Women Speaking in
the Assembled Church
 'I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant
(deaconess) of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive
her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist
her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she
has been a helper of many and of myself also.
 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
who risked their own knecks for my life, to whom not only I
give thanks, but also all the churches of the gentiles.
 Likewise also greet the church that is in their house. Greet my
Beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.
Greet Mary, who laboured much for us.'
 Romans 16: 1-6

14. On Women Teaching
Men
 There is only one verse in the entire Bible which disallows a
woman from teaching a man — 1 Timothy 2:12.
 Some Christians see this verse as comprehensively declaring a
universal and permanent ban on every woman teaching any
man.
 However, other verses in scripture indicate that there is
nothing wrong with a godly woman teaching a man. Acts
18:26 is one such verse.
 This verse in Acts gives the biblical example of Priscilla who,
along with her husband Aquila, explained the doctrine of
Christian baptism to Apollos.

15. On Women Teaching
Men
 Priscilla and Aquila are mentioned by name six times
in the Greek New Testament.
 They are always mentioned together, and,
significantly,
 In four of those occurrences, Priscilla’s name is
mentioned first.
 This unconventional order of the wife’s name before
her husband’s may be an indication that Priscilla’s
ministry ability was more prominent than Aquila’s.

16. Examples of Saintly
Women in OT
 There were female prophetesses, e.g. Miriam, the
sister of Moses and Aaron (Ex. 15: 20-21)
 Deborah, who judged the people of Israel (Judges 5),
Huldah (II Kings 22: 14-20),
 Anna (Luke 2: 36-38).
 Abigail was a wise woman to whom King David
listened and took advice.
 Esther was a young Jewish woman born outside Israel
in Babylon. Yet, God used her to save the Jews in
captivity. Thus each person whether male or female,
could acquire Grace by submitting to God.

17. Examples of Saintly
Women in NT
 The Most Holy Theotokos is the pride and honor of all
women.
 While in human form on earth, Christ addressed
everyone, both men and women.
 There were women who responded to his teachings
and followed him, and traveled with Him. The women
from Galilee helped support Jesus and the disciples
with their money (Luke 8: 1-3).
 At the time of the Crucifixion, when all the disciples
escaped, the three Marys were the last to leave
Christ’s side, and the first to be at His tomb.

18. Examples of Saintly
Women in NT
 St. Mary Magdalene was the first one worthy to see
the Resurrected Christ, even before the disciples
(John 20: 11-18). After Christ’s ascension, the women
were present with the apostles in the upper room and
received the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts
1: 13-14).
 Later, there were women who were co-workers with
the apostles in preaching the Gospel.
 St. Peter’s wife accompanied him on many of his
missionary journeys (1Cor. 9: 5).

19. Examples of Saintly
Women in NT
 There was a great number of women mentioned by
St. Paul in his letters.
 Amongst whom was Lydia, who was a successful
business woman; she carried on a prosperous
business in Thyrian purple (Acts 16: 14). But she was
also the hostess of St. Paul and it was at her home
that the church in Philippi was established.
 Chloe in Corinth was a disciple of St. Paul; she
hosted the church in her home and faithfully reported
to St. Paul what happened (1 Cor. 1 : 11). She also
helped establish the church in Corinth.

20. Examples of Saintly
Women in NT
 Phoebe was also a disciple of St. Paul and she is
considered the prototype of deaconesses. She was a
leading Christian woman of the church in Cenchrea
(Rom. 16: 1-2). In Romans 16, St. Paul also mentions
the names of many women who helped in the
ministry.
 Priscilla was often times mentioned before her
husband Aquila, and she helped instruct Apollos, who
was an eloquent man ( Acts 18:26)

21. Roles of Women in the Liturgical
Church
In the Coptic Orthodox church, priesthood is
comprised of three discrete orders:
1. The order of Deacons
2. The order of Priests
3. The order of Bishops
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22. The Role of Deacon
 Although each rank of deacon has specific roles, which will be
discussed in a separate article, there are expectations that are
common to all ranks of deacon.
 He is first and foremost an assistant to the priest helping to
serve the needs of the congregation .
 This can range from helping the priest to prepare the altar and
oblations for the Divine Liturgy to maintaining peace and order
in the church during times of prayer.
 This means that that the deacon is expected to be
knowledgeable in the rituals and dogma of the church.
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Roles of Women in the Liturgical
Church

23. The Role of Deacon
 Since the priest is the teacher of the church and the deacon is
his assistant, it follows that the deacon also has a small role in
teaching at the behest of the priest. This is evident from the
deacons’ role in reciting the scriptures during the church’s
services.
 In addition to reciting these readings to the congregation, it is
essential that the deacon has sufficient understanding and
knowledge to be able to explain them to others.
 The deacon must therefore dedicate time to studying the
scripture and teachings of the church fathers but, more
importantly, he must be a living example of that which he has
studied.
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Roles of Women in the Liturgical
Church

24. The Role of the Priest
The Role of Liturgical Priest
 We specify the "liturgical priesthood" because all
baptised Orthodox believers are part of the "royal
priesthood" (1Pet.2:9). All are members of the "royal
priesthood" because only the priesthood can partake
of the things of the altar, and all are called to receive
the mystery of the Body and Blood of Christ the
"things of the altar" in Holy Communion.
 Nevertheless, only men are called to the liturgical or
"ordained" priesthood.
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25. The Role of Liturgical Priest
 To understand the reason why women are not enrolled in the
priesthood, we must first of all put away one treacherous
presupposition:
 That it has to do with relative value.
 It does have to do with roles, but here again, there is a
destructive presupposition.
 Many people have, for centuries, equated roles with value,
and they have extended the roles of men and women in the
liturgical life of the Church (which deals with prophecy and
revelation) to society, politics and industry which have nothing
to do with the faith or the salvation of humanity. 25
The Role of the Priest

26. The Role of Liturgical Priest
 The roles we are speaking of have nothing to do with caste,
personal value or human worthiness.
 The roles of men and women in the Church are prophetic and
deal with prophecy and revelation.
 Thus, throughout Scriptural history, women have held the
prophetic role of revealing the Church: the nature and mission
of the Church on earth (which is why in heaven, there is
neither male nor female: because the Church on earth will
have fulfilled her mission, and the revelation and prophecy
about her will no longer be needed; likewise, the visible
presence of Christ will bring to an end the prophetic role of
the male).
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The Role of the Priest

27. The Role of Liturgical Priest
 The prophecy about Christ has been proclaimed
through the male prophets, with one exception: Eve.
The promise to Eve that her offspring would wound
Satan's head was a clear prophecy, not about the
Church but about Christ. That offspring was Christ,
Who came forth from the Virgin as a fulfilment of this
prophecy given through Eve.
 This is why we call St. Mary "the second Eve.“
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The Role of the Priest

28. The Role of Liturgical Priest
 The role of priest in the Church belongs only to
Christ. He is the priesthood of the Church. He is also
the spouse and husband of the Church. Christ's
visible priesthood in the Church is fulfilled through
the ordained priests, more precisely, through the
bishops of the Church (who delegate this to parish
presbyters since the bishop cannot be everywhere).
 Thus, the prophetic role of men is in revelation about
Christ, and the prophetic role of women is in
revelation about the Church. 28
The Role of the Priest

29. The Role of Liturgical Priest
 There is no relative value in these roles, since the mystery of
redemption is the mystery of Christ and the Church. It should
be clear, however, that while women fulfil a ministry in the
Church (first of all, the prophetic ministry) they do not enter
into the priesthood, which is a revelation about Christ, not
about the Church.
 A woman in the priesthood would have to be presenting a
revelation about the husband of the Church, the spouse of the
"spotless, pure bride of Christ." This would be a difficult
prophecy to connect to?
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The Role of the Priest