Professor Gives Keynote Address

On November 1, St. Leon Armenian Church in Fair Lawn, NJ, hosted the second annual Empowering Orthodox Women conference, held under the auspices of SCOOCH (Standing Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches). The day-long conference, entitled “Walking in Strength and Spirit: The Power of Orthodox Femininity”, featured a rich combination of speakers, panel discussions and breakout groups addressing issues facing Orthodox women in America today, including marriage, motherhood, leadership, youth and social networks, and mental health. Panelists represented the Syriac, Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, Eritrean and Malankara traditions.

Prof. Roberta Ervine gave the keynote address, “Women Thinking about Power”. The conference was presided by His Eminence Abune Petros, Archbishop of the New York for the Ethiopian Tewahedo Church. Conference facilitators were Dr. Quidest Sheriff (Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church) and Archdn. Gebre Kristos Nicholas Siniari (Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church). The Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian represented His Grace Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church.