Angelic Molen
Angelic Molen | |
|---|---|
| Church | Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 2024 (deacon) |
| Rank | Deacon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
Angelic Molen is a Zimbabwean deacon from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa. She became the first woman to be ordained deacon of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Life
Molen comes from Harare, Zimbabwe.[1] She has been involved with the parish of St. Nektarios paris, near Harare, for many years, where she has worked in youth ministry, catechesis and with groups of mothers, which she created.[2][3] Molen studies geography and environmental sciences.[2][3]
On 2 May 2024, Molen was ordained the first female deacon of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa and the whole Eastern Orthodox Church by Metropolitan Seraphim (Iakovou) of the Holy Archdiocese of Zimbabwe and Angola.[1][4][3] The ceremony took place on Holy Thursday at the St. Nektarios parish.[1][4][3] On 11 May, the Patriarchate issued a press release following her ordination, stating that "the mission in Africa needs deaconesses, especially for the pastoral work and for the baptisms of adult women".[1] Metropolitan Seraphim stated that Molen will be responsible for the environmental initiatives of the country's parishes.[2]
Her ordination was seen as an attempt to revive the role of women deacons in the early Church.[1][4]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Stamatoukou, Eleni (13 May 2024). "Greek Orthodox Patriarchate Supports First Woman Deacon in Africa Mission". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 González Alonso, Mateo (7 May 2024). "El Patriarcado de Alejandría ordena una diaconisa apelando a la tradición del cristianismo primitivo" [The Patriarchate of Alexandria has ordained a deaconess, drawing on the tradition of early Christianity]. Vida Nueva (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 André, Fiona (6 May 2024). "Eastern Orthodox Church ordains Zimbabwean woman as its first deaconess". The Christian Century. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 Barillas, Martin (9 May 2024). "Orthodox Church Ordains Female Deacon". National Catholic Register. Retrieved 7 May 2026.