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Fresco from St Herman of Alaska church, with female saints

Women in Eastern Orthodoxy: Questions of Pastoral and Liturgical Participation

The call for papers is now open for an international academic seminar that will focus on the role of women in Eastern Orthodoxy from pastoral and liturgical perspectives. The seminar is organised by the School of Theology of the University of Eastern Finland in cooperation with the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies and the Orthodox Church of Finland.
  • Seminaari
  • Kielet ja kulttuurit
Tapahtumapäivämäärä:
Aika:
9:00–18:00
Tapahtumapaikka:
Fabianinkatu 24 A, 00100 Helsinki
Lisätietoja:
The Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies
Lisää kalenteriin:
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Seminar Theme

The role of women within the Eastern Orthodox tradition is shaped by the Orthodox Church's canonical principles and hierarchical structures, as well as different cultural expectations regarding women. In practice, women often form the bedrock of the Church's congregational life. In recent decades, there has been renewed scholarly attention to questions of ministry, participation in liturgical life, historical precedents for women’s roles and pastoral needs in contemporary Orthodox communities. How is this reflected in practice locally? What theological considerations are involved in discussions about the role of women in Eastern Orthodoxy?

Presentation topics

We welcome proposals that engage, but are not limited to, the following themes:

  • The order of deaconesses: modern debates and ecclesial developments
  • Women’s participation in liturgical life, including prayer, chant, iconography, and ritual practice
  • Pastoral care and spiritual guidance offered by and to women in Orthodox communities, in and outside ecclesial structures / hierarchies
  • Theological and biblical interpretations shaping understandings of gender, vocation, and ministry
  • Contemporary case studies on women’s leadership and participation in diaspora or majority-Orthodox contexts
  • Lived religion and ethnographic approaches to the experiences of Orthodox women today

Programme

The preliminary programme will be published here after 1 June 2026.

Professor Ashley Purpura (Purdue University, USA) will be giving the keynote lecture at the seminar.

The seminar is part of an event organised by the Orthodox Church of Finland in cooperation with Filantropia, Orthodox Clergy Association, Orthodox Youth Association, Helsinki Orthodox Parish, and University of Eastern Finland.

 

Submission Guidelines

  • Abstract length: 250–300 words
  • Presentation length: 20 minutes + 10 minutes discussion

Important Dates

  • Abstract submission deadline: 15 May 2026
  • Notification of acceptance: 1 June 2026
  • Registration of speakers closes: 30 September 2026
  • Registration of audience closes: 25 November 2026

Publication

Selected papers may be considered for inclusion in a peer‑reviewed special journal issue.

Organizers / Inquiries

Maria Takala-Roszczenko, University of Eastern Finland [email protected]

Teemu Toivonen, University of Eastern Finland [email protected]

Talvikki Ahonen, Åbo Akademi University [email protected] 

Ksenia Medvedeva, The Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies

 

Photo by Kati Räihä-Velentza: Fresco with Orthodox saints in St Herman of Alaska Church, Helsinki Orthodox Parish