Orthodox reactions on both sides of the fence start to pour in:
Deaconesses would turn the sanctuary into a brothel.”
Elpidophoros ( USA Archbishop) expressed support for expanding women’s visibility in the church, giving his blessing to including lay girls and women in liturgical processions. But Metropolitan Saba, leader of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, the sponsor of Ancient Faith Radio, has taken a more conservative approach, quietly admonishing at least one parish that encouraged female participation in the liturgical procession.
Valerie Karras, a St. Phoebe board member and retired theology and church history professor who served on faculty at Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology among other schools. She described the comments as “historically and theologically ignorant,” as well as “condescending, obnoxious, vitriolic, free with ad hominem attacks” and “misogynistic.”