Famous Women
The Renown of Women in All Fields
Among them were prophetesses, and among them were evangelists:
Examples include Huldah the prophetess, Anna the prophetess, and the four daughters of Agabus.
Among the evangelists was Mary Magdalene, who proclaimed the Resurrection to the apostles,
and evangelized many lands. Likewise, Lydia the seller of purple was an evangelist.
Among them were deaconesses in the service of the Church:
Such as Phoebe (Rom. 16:1), and the deaconess Anastasia, to whom Saint Severus of Antioch replied to some of her letters.
This service was not a priestly rank for women, because the Church canons say, “No hand shall be laid upon a woman.”
The intended meaning is the hand of the priesthood. Of course, the hand may be laid for blessing or for healing.
Some books of Scripture bore the names of women:
Such as the Book of Esther, the Book of Ruth, and the Book of Judith.
Among them were martyrs after whom churches were built:
Such as Mother Dolagy, who has a church in Esna, and Mother Rebecca, who has a church in Senbat.
Saint Demiana has a monastery in the desert, and Saint Barbara has a church in El Sharabiya.
Among them were distinguished nuns who became heads of monasteries:
Such as Mother Sarah, whose guidance the monks of Scetis sought,
and Saint Melania, who was the spiritual guide of Saint Mar Evagrius.
Also Saint Paula, Saint Eustochium, and Mother Sophronike.
Among them were wandering ascetics and solitaries in the desert:
Such as Saint Mary the Egyptian, from whom the priest Saint Zosimas received a blessing, and Saint Athanasia.
Among them were nuns who set an example in holiness:
Such as Saint Marina in her humility and her refusal to defend herself, and Saint Pelagia in her repentance,
also Saint Hilaria, the daughter of King Zeno, and Saint “the Simple-minded,” of whom Abba Daniel bore witness.
Among them were mothers who had a great influence on saints:
Such as Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine, and Lois and Eunice, to whom the faith of Timothy the Apostle is attributed,
and Saint Macrina, the sister of Saint Basil and his spiritual guide, as well as the mother of Moses the Prophet.
An article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – Al-Keraza Magazine – Eighth Year (Issue No. 9) – March 4, 1977.
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