Key Points from the Announcement about the Ordination
from His Eminence Metropolitan Serafim
May 10, 2024
Blessing for the Ordination Received from the Patriarch
‘For an ordination in our Patriarchate of the High Priests of the Alexandrian Throne, a Patriarchal blessing and canonical permission of the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa Theodoros II is requested in writing. His Eminence Metropolitan of Zimbabwe and Angola Seraphim received written permission in April 2023. The blessing clearly emphasizes that the ordination should be done according to the Ancient Church Apostolic Tradition.’
Future Considerations
‘In order to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings in the future for the revival of the institution of deaconesses in the Patriarchate of Alexandria, at the proposal of the Alexandrian Primate Theodoros II, the Holy Synod will in due course prepare uniform Synod decisions that will be applied to all the Holy Metropolises and Bishoprics of the Alexandrian Throne.’
Unanimous Decision of Alexandrian Synod to Revive the Order of Deaconess
‘The unanimous decision for the revival of the institution of the Deaconesses of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa following the proposal of the Alexandrian Primate in the African Continent Theodoros II was made in 2009.’
Deaconesses in the Orthodox Church Today
‘From the first century to the twentieth century, many things have changed in the world. The Apostles call the slaves to be faithful to their masters but at the same time they emphasize the Gospel of Jesus Christ that we are all equal because we are created in the image of God. Nowadays in modern society no one can justify the institution of slavery.
That is why Saint Nektarios, when he decided to revive the institution of the ordination of deaconesses for pastoral reasons [in the early twentieth century], he proceeded to ordain them as is done with the ordination of deacons and to bestow them with all pastoral and catechetical responsibilities that deacons have.’
Significance of the Ordination in Africa for Other Orthodox Churches
‘The revival of the institution of deaconesses from the Apostolic times in the Patriarchate of Alexandria does not bind any Local Church to follow its example. Each Local Church through the Holy Synod is responsible for this matter.
Each Bishop has a sacred duty to implement the decisions of the Holy Synod to which he belongs in order to protect the visible unity of our Church.’
The translation of these key points has been refined by the St. Phoebe Center.
