OrthodoxyOrDeath wrote:The Will of God is a serious matter that deserves unquestioning consideration.
But what makes you so convinced that men sitting on the Right and recieving the Mysteries FIRST is the Will of God?
Couldn't it simply be the Pride of Men?
----------------------------------------------------
They say that I am bad news. They say "Stay Away."
OrthodoxyOrDeath wrote:This is the way it has always been. Now I hope no woman here are offended, having been surrounded in recent years by societies gender "equality" worship. The Will of God is a serious matter that deserves unquestioning consideration.
(now ducking for cover from the slavophiles, which I am myself, and the womans rights advocates
)
Don't worry! You'll not get any hassle from me on these points. If there's anything I am NOT, it's a feminist. Drives my co-workers bonkers, as they think I want to set women back 100 years. In many ways, I think that might not be a bad idea.
Theodora Elizabeth
NOT a feminist! 
OrthodoxyOrDeath wrote:In the Orthodox Church, tonsured Readers read. And when they are not around, by economy any man who can reasonably accomplish the task, and if no such person as this, then a woman may.
"resonably accomplish the task" The task consists first in knowing how to put the services together. Who arranges the variable portions of the service in your parish - including the Epistle? Many times it is a woman - the choir director. Men love to hear themselves, but they are, well, men, and often somewhat dronelike when it comes to helping to do what the female worker bees get accomplished. How many have run into the syndrome where a man walks into church two minutes before he expects to read the Epistle?
Tonsured women - nuns - when they are available may trump a man, esp a poorly experienced one. Clergy's wives as well, since being of one flesh with their spouse they somehow share a bit in his ordination. A woman who reads the Epistle does so from the Choir, not in the middle of the Church.
But the bottom line is that the priest decides, and even the most accomplished male who has no blessing to serve is being presumptuous to trump anyone, male or female, who did receive a timely blessing from the priest.
Nick,
Of course. In most Greek Orthodox churches there is no choir, there are chanters, or psaltis. Ours are quite expert in putting the services together, but on the rare occasion (only once in the last 4 years), when no capable men are around, we have one woman who does just a superb job. She certainly adds just as much, for the Glory of God.
But I would say nobody can "trump" anyone. If someone is inexperienced, the best way to get experience is to do it. I always love to hear one of our aspiring young men fill the Church with the adolescent voice which often shifts tones unexpectedly! One day, God willing, they too will aquire the skills. But it is all for the Glory of God.
I heard someone say, if God gave you a bad voice, give it back to Him. 
OrthodoxyOrDeath wrote:Don't worry! You'll not get any hassle from me on these points. If there's anything I am NOT, it's a feminist.
I live in Chicago to, which I can now say openly knowing you are not going to hunt me down.
Hah!
You in the burbs or the city? I'm in the city, in the part that roots for the Cubbies.
Theodora Elizabeth
