Women are not excluded from “most important functions” of church

Published: Thursday August 27, 2009

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Sir:

Simon Y. Balian, in addition to being an attorney (as noted by the editor), is a former celibate priest of the Armenian Church (Fr. Yeznik), who abandoned his rank and resigned from the priesthood. ("The exclusion of women from the priesthood").

I unequivocally disagree with Mr. Balian's assertion that Armenian women are excluded from the "most important functions" of the Armenian Church. Ordination to a clerical rank is not the only way one can serve the Armenian Church and people. I am surprised Mr. Balian has conveniently disregarded this fact, since I doubt that as a former priest and current layperson, he believes that he no longer serves the Church.

His statement further relegates the countless contributions made by women to a lesser status, solely because they cannot offer Holy Communion and the other sacraments. Service to our faithful comes in many forms, and the mission of the Church - to lead people to God - is not accomplished by our clergy alone. It is the combined efforts of all our faithful, ordained and lay, men and women, who work tirelessly on this rewarding task.

Finally, if Mr. Balian is so concerned with what he regards as the plight of dedicated and supportive Armenian women, then perhaps he should have maintained his rank, remained a member of the clergy, and raised this issue to the hierarchy of the Church from within, at the numerous opportunities afforded to the celibate clergy to interact with our primates, patriarchs, and the Catholicos of All Armenians.

Very truly yours,
Paula Devejian
Vagharshapat, Armenia

The writer, who is married to a priest, serves as Internet development director at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and an Armenian Church representative at the World Council of Churches Central Committee.