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Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago
Metropolis of Chicago launches new, women-led initiative to expand ministries at the parish level
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago announced today the launch of a new initiative, the Order of the Myrrhbearing Women,
which seeks to recognize, promote, and amplify the individual and
collective voices of women in service of Christ and His Church. Under
the initiative, a two-year fellowship has been established to which
women across the Metropolis can apply to receive funding for the
development and implementation of a new ministry in their home parishes.
Fellowship applications for the Order of the Myrrhbearing Women will
be available in October. Applicants who are selected will attend a
retreat in spring 2021, and ministries will launch in September of
subsequent years.
Women who are selected will:
- Participate in a 2-day workshop where they will develop a preliminary proposal for a ministry based on the needs of their parish;
- Collaborate with ministry mentors to refine initiatives and evaluate benchmark progress toward goals, assessing effectiveness of programming
- Present best practices to the Metropolis and the cohort of fellows at an end-of-year reception
Upon completion of their fellowship, individuals will receive the
blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael into the Order of the
Myrrhbearing Women.
“The Scriptures present the Myrrhbearing Women as loyal and
courageous disciples of Christ. They followed the Lord during His public
ministry; they went to the tomb to care for His Body; and they shared
the Good News of His Resurrection with the world. Like them, the Order
of the Myrrhbearing Women of the Metropolis of Chicago will offer young
girls and adult women bold examples of Christian service and
discipleship for the 21st century,” said His Eminence Metropolitan
Nathanael.
The Order of the Myrrhbearing Women is designed to promote and
enhance the leadership and spiritual growth of women throughout the
Metropolis of Chicago by creating places for women across all stages of
life to continue to care for the Body of Christ. Core objectives of The
Order include increasing the number of women who serve in leadership
roles in their parishes; enhancing the visibility of their
contributions; creating new ministries that facilitate the spiritual and
personal development of women; and encouraging intergenerational
engagement.
“We have benefitted from the example set by countless women in our
parishes and in our families. They have shaped our desire and commitment
to draw closer to Christ as His servant-leaders. The Order of the
Myrrhbearing Women offers its members the opportunity, through the
structure and resources extended to this new alliance, to further
encourage and cultivate the potential of women within the Church,” said
Joan Berg, inaugural member of the Order of the Myrrhbearing Women.
The inaugural members of the Order of the Myrrhbearing Women were
selected by His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael in recognition for their
dedication to the Orthodox Church, tireless work to establish the new
order over the last year, and their commitment to oversee the growth of
the Order of the Myrrhbearing Women.
The inaugural members include:
- Anne Marie Adams, Saints Peter & Paul Church, Glenview, Illinois
- Joan Tolios Berg, Holy Apostles Church, Westchester, Illinois
- Efrosine (Lori) Chiampas, Saint Demetrios Church, Chicago, Illinois
- Georgia Loukas Demeros, Holy Taxiarhai and Saint Haralambos Church, Niles, Illinois
- Anna Kallis, Saints Peter and Paul Church, Glenview, Illinois
- Vicki Pappas Karl, Saints Peter & Paul Church, Glenview, Illinois
- Dr. Valerie Karras, Saint Nicholas Church, St. Louis, Missouri
- Mary Ann Langas, Saints Peter and Paul Church, Glenview, Illinois
- Lainey Manos, Saint Demetrios Church, Elmhurst, Illinois
- Rachael Pontikes, Saint George Church, Chicago, Illinois
- Mary Scott, Saint Andrew Church, South Bend, Indiana and Saint Sophia Church, Elgin, Illinois
- Chrysanthy Tiggas, Saint Mary’s Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Dr. Gayle Woloschak, Saints Peter and Paul Church, Palos Park, Illinois
Additionally, Fr. Stephen Bithos and Fr. Timothy Sas will serve as spiritual advisors to the Order.
His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael will preside at an Investiture of
the Myrrhbearing Women in 2021. A date will be announced in the coming
weeks. For more information about the Order of the Myrrhbearing Women,
please visit: chicago.goarch.org/myrrh.
About the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago
Tracing its roots back to 1923, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of
Chicago is the diocese of Greek Orthodox faithful in Illinois, Iowa,
Minnesota, Wisconsin, northern Indiana, and southeastern Missouri,
consisting of 58 parishes and two monastic communities. The Metropolis
is one of nine regions in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and
is presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael. The general
offices of the Metropolis are temporarily located in Lombard, Illinois.
For more information and to get involved, visit our website, join a Strategic Planning Team, and sign up to receive Metropolis news.
For More Information:
Chris Varones
312-213-3887
