So yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak at church about women's role in the church in the 21st century.

It was affirming, invigorating, energizing.

Because here's the thing - I said some "bold" things (at least our church would consider them bold) but seminary has begun to pay off and I was able to back all of it up and stand on very solid ground.

A few highlights:

1) the Armenian Orthodox church doesn't allow women to preach. Yet from the very beginning, church Tradition provides evidence that women filled this role. There is evidence of women prophesying in church gatherings in Paul's letters. St. Gregory the Illuminator, the patron saint of Armenia (late 3rd-early 4th century), said in his Teaching, "Not only by men, but also by holy women the gospel of life was preached throughout the world." Women as preachers and missionaries were an integral part of the Armenian Church Tradition.

2) the church hesitates if not refuses to admit that there were female apostles. Yet in Romans 16 Paul praises a woman named Junia as "prominent among the apostles." St. John Chrysostom (4th century) lauds her: "How great the wisdom of this woman must have been that she was even deemed worthy of the title Apostle." Women are also named as disciples, co-laborers and workers in the Lord, and dedicated followers of Jesus.

3) the church resists reinstating the female diaconate, which was a strong part of the church's Tradition until the last century. An inscription on the door of the mother cathedral of Etchmiadzin is dedicated to the "archdeaconess Hripsime." Phoebe is named by Paul as a deacon (1st century). Olympias, Chrysostom's close friend and confidante and receiver of many of his letters, was a deaconess (4th century). Deaconesses in the Armenian Church were prominent in medieval times as well. Today there is one living deaconess left. The church would rather her die off and let the office of the female diaconate become extinct. This is not part of church Tradition and ignores a vital and life-giving ministry that the church is in dire need of today.

If only the church hierarchy could admit this...