Ancient Taboos and Gender Prejudice Challenges for Orthodox Women and the Church Routledge New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies Series

This book explores the struggling genesis of a women's movement in the Orthodox Church through the ecumenical movement of the twentieth century at a time when militant conservatism is emerging in Orthodox countries and fundamentalism in the diaspora. Offering an understanding of the participation of women in the Orthodox Church, particularly during the 50 years of the membership of the Orthodox churches in the World Council of Churches, this book contributes to the ongoing debates and feminist analysis of women's participation, ministry and sexuality in the life and practice of the Church universal. The book reveals both the positive contributions to ecumenism and the difficulties confronting Orthodox women wishing to participate more fully in the leadership and ministry of their church.

Contents: Introduction;The Orthodox Church, women's movements and ecumenical relationships; Women, ecumenism and the bounds in which she may work; Women are not subordinate, but they are different; Ignored by those who approved the priorities; Questions, consultations and challenges; Church and culture: human sexuality, ministry and participation; Militant conservatism and a movement of Orthodox women; Appendix; Select bibliography; Index.

Leonie B. Liveris is Adjunct Research Fellow at Curtin University of Technology, Australia.