Constructing the Patriarchal Woman: Liturgical Challenges for Orthodox Christian Gender Equality

Abstract

Orthodox Christianity is patriarchal in its heritage and institutional hierarchy. In the liturgical context, however, historical patriarchal orientations, images, and perspectives dominate even contemporary rites and forms that specifically address women’s religiosity. The liturgical setting is one in which actions and words have additional authority because most Orthodox believe this context to be reflective of and participative in a divine reality. Consequently, the androcentric actions, prayers, voices, and images that appear liturgically have the potential to sanctify implicitly the male domination of women’s religious experiences and identities. An acknowledgment of the liturgically reified patriarchal perspective, privilege, and prioritization prompts reconsidering the ways those with non-dominant religious identities may experience the liturgical forms and space differently than what is traditionally (and therefore patriarchally) presented, and the diverse ways they may nevertheless meaningfully constitute their religious selves.