Cyprus Church asks Alexandrian Patriarchy to explain deaconess "ordination"

Deaconess Angelica administering communion to believers. Photo: orthodoxdeaconess.org

On June 20, 2024, in addition to other current issues, the Synod of the Church of Cyprus addressed the problem of the canonical status of a female deaconess, who was ordained on May 2 by Metropolitan Seraphim of Zimbabwe (Alexandrian Patriarchate). This was stated in the decision of the Synod of the Church of Cyprus.

It was reported that "the Synod asked the Alexandrian Patriarchate to inform it about the canonical justification for the 'ordination' of a woman to the rank of deaconess by the Bishop of Zimbabwe."

As the UOJ previously reported, the Alexandrian Church commented on Metropolitan Seraphim (Kykotis) of Zimbabwe's decision to ordain Angelica Molen as a deaconess, which elicited mixed reactions in the Orthodox world.

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