Celebrating Deaconess Angelic Molen

Dear Research Network, Colleagues and Friends,

There are times when we are told we are the first in history to do or be something. For example, Barack Obama was the “first” Black president of the United States. He could have shrugged off that historic recognition and stated that he is “just another president,” but it wasn’t true or accurate.

He represented a signpost. Recognition of that signpost is important for two important reasons: it reminded the country that it has the potential to live up to its ideals about equality, and this recognition served to provide representation for other “non-White” persons to see themselves as potentially able to see themselves beyond the pale of any glass ceiling.

In each area of life, we are likely to recognize and applaud someone who is a first. This story, from the World Council of Churches, recognizes the first woman ordained to the Kenyan Eastern Orthodox Diaconate Ministry in over 150 years. We share this story to celebrate, with Kenyans, this historic shift. We also recognize that this serves as recognition for other women who have a similar calling or aspiration.

Amanda Golden-Peace,

The Misogynoir to Mishpat (M2M) Research Network (c) 2024

First Woman Ordained to Kenyan Eastern Orthodox Diaconate Ministry in more than 150 Years.

There is further cause to celebrate today. Within the Eastern Orthodox community, a centuries-old deaconess order has been restored. Back then, the deaconess’ role included assisting with female baptisms, taking the Eucharist to the homebound and ill, education, administrative work, and other ministries primarily focused on women. But there has been a noticeable absence of the female diaconate order since 1855. In a historic Holy Thursday ceremony on May 2, Angelic Molen of the St Nektarius Mission Parish was ordained deaconess within the Holy Patriarchal Synod Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa.

Deaconess Angelic Molen’s responsibilities, and those of future deaconesses, will include assisting priests in the liturgy and sacraments and addressing the specific needs of parishes in her country. We laud this shift in ministry for the Harare diocese on this bold move led by His Eminence Metropolitan Serafim, Archbishop of Zimbabwe, and commend Deaconess Angelic on her ordination. More details here.