Cerula and Bitalia in Catacomb Art
What does the iconography of catacomb frescoes tell us about the ecclesial role or position of Cerula and Bitalia, two fifth-century women?
May 19, 2024
11 Comments
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Tag: Deacons
Publia and her Plucky Choir of Virgins (AD 360s)
In this post, I quote a story from Theodoret of Cyrrhus’s Church History about Publia, a daring deaconess who lived in Antioch in the 360s, and her brave choir.
October 19, 2023
14 Comments
A Female Teacher and Deacon in Antioch (AD 360s)
In Theodoret of Cyrrhus’s Church History there is an interesting story of a brave woman who was a teacher and deacon in Antioch in the early 360s.
October 6, 2023
7 Comments
Olympias: Deaconess and Chrysostom’s Friend
Olympias renounced her aristocratic lifestyle to serve the church. She was an ordained deaconess and Chrysostom’s dear friend.
July 25, 2019
26 Comments
The Church at Smyrna and her Women (Part 1)
In Christian writings known as the Apostolic Fathers, we discover that women were active in ministry in the church at Smyrna. Part 1 looks at Alke (or Alce) of Smyrna.
April 21, 2016
4 Comments
(7) Phoebe: Deacon of the Church in Cenchrea
This is a summary of the previous 6 parts. Paul was not reticent about using the same ministry terms (or titles), including deacon, for both men and women ministers.
November 26, 2014
5 Comments
(5) Phoebe: Deacon of the Church in Cenchrea
In Part 5, I look at 1 Timothy 3:8-13, concerning male and female deacons in the Ephesian church, and at Phoebe as a prostatis (patron). I briefly compare her ministry with that of Olympias and also Stephanas (1 Cor. 16:15-18).
November 25, 2014
12 Comments
(4) Phoebe: Deacon of the Church in Cenchrea
In part 4 I look at the deacons in the Philippian church and at the development of church offices in the apostolic and post-apostolic churches.
November 18, 2014
9 Comments
(3) Phoebe: Deacon of the Church in Cenchrea
We have only two lines about Phoebe in the Bible, but Theodoret of Cyrrhus has more information about her. Did Phoebe travel to Spain with Paul? Did she deliver his letter to the Romans?
November 14, 2014
5 Comments
(2) Phoebe: Deacon of the Church in Cenchrea
In Part 2, I look at what Romans 16:1–2 in the ancient Latin texts say about Phoebe. These indicate she was recognised as an official deacon (or deaconess).
November 13, 2014
6 Comments
(1) Phoebe: Deacon of the Church in Cenchrea
Here I look at Paul’s introduction of Phoebe to the church at Rome. I also look at the ministry of certain women in the Gospels, and Tabitha’s ministry in Acts, and compare them with Phoebe’s ministry.
November 12, 2014
11 Comments
3 views on the ministry of the Seven in Acts 6
What was the ministry of the seven men in Acts 6? This article looks at possible ministries by tracking Luke’s use of the word “diakonia” in the book of Acts. Where they deacons?
February 4, 2014
21 Comments
Likewise women . . . likewise husbands . . .
Ignoring or highlighting the word “likewise” makes a big difference in how we understand certain New Testament passages that affect women.
November 14, 2013
27 Comments
Paul’s Greeting – Philippians 1:1-2
Paul’s greeting to the Philippians is similar to those in many of his other letters, except that he greets the church’s leaders, the overseers and deacons.
May 1, 2010
5 Comments
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