Despina Denise Prassas

Despina is the daughter of a Greek Orthodox priest and presbytera, both of whom felt that the education of their five daughters was one of their most important responsibilities. Her parents' emphasis on education, combined with her own formative spiritual experience in her parish and, especially at Ionian Village in Greece, led Despina to pursue a theological education. She has recently completed the courses for a doctorate in historical theology at the Catholic University of America, and received a Master's of Divinity from Holy Cross School of Theology. She has represented the Orthodox at several World Council of Churches conferences during the past four years, and, during this same time, has been active in working on the Apostolic Faith Study Guide and has presented papers at an international conference of Orthodox women. Her interest in ecumenism stems from her belief that we in the United States are blessed to have the opportunity to show others how different religions can coexist peacefully.

As part of the various programs offered during the Ecumenical Decade of Churches in Solidarity with Women, the World Council of Churches is sponsoring two conferences for Eastern and Oriental Orthodox women, the first having taken place last October 4-10 in Damascus, Syria. This conference, which brought together Orthodox women from the Middle East, Asia and Africa, was entitled “Discerning the Signs of the Times” and focused on the ministries and concerns of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox women.

God saw that the human being was weak and gave repentance while still in the body, until the last breath.

Let us take good care to remain in the protection of repentance, and let us receive nourishment from her holy breasts so that she will nourish us. ¹

I greet you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Good morning. I would like to express thanks to our Lord God for the opportunity to be here during this Advent season and to celebrate together the closing of the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Decade of Churches in Solidarity with Women. We are thankful for the many ways in which we have been able to celebrate our talents and gifts, gifts which have been offered to the Church. The courageous effort and commitment of the women who have taken part in the Decade have benefited many. Our love for one another and the work of the Holy Spirit are the hope that keeps the churches alive and carrying out the mission of Jesus Christ.

With the blessing of His Beatitude, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Petros VII, a group of eighty individuals gathered at the Makarios III Seminary in Nairobi, Kenya from June 1-4, 1998 to participate in a conference entitled, “Women in the Life of the Church.” This conference, sponsored by the Holy Archbishopric of Kenya, SYNDESMOS, and the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), was hosted by His Eminence, Archbishop Seraphim of Kenya and Irinoupolis.