A forum examining the role of women in the Orthodox Church was held in Côte d’Ivoire from August 27 to September 2, bringing together clergy, church choir leaders and priests’ wives from four West African countries.

Participants came from Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo, according to the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.

The event was led by Father Parthenios Dansou, dean of the West African church district. Over five days, participants discussed the role of women in the Church, women’s ministry in the patristic tradition, the upbringing of children and their introduction to the Christian faith, as well as the importance of prayer, fasting and studying the writings of the Church Fathers.

The program also included practical sessions. Participants rehearsed Orthodox hymns and studied the traditional church modes. On August 30, clergy celebrated a concelebrated Divine Liturgy, with a choir formed from women attending the forum providing the singing.

The Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God on August 28 was another major part of the program. A festive Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Dormition parish on the outskirts of Abidjan. Russian Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire Alexey Saltykov and Emmanuel Zoro Bi Ballo, chairman of the country’s High Authority for Good Governance, attended the service.

Ahead of the forum’s opening, the Russian ambassador also received a delegation of clergy at the Russian Embassy in Abidjan.

Such gatherings are becoming part of the developing Orthodox community life in Africa. Across dioceses of the African Exarchate, female parishioners are forming groups focused on education, mutual support, raising children in the faith and participation in parish activities.

In March, Cameroon hosted a conference on the role of Orthodox women in the Church and society. Clergy addressed Christian family life, the upbringing of children and examples of holy women. Participants subsequently discussed confession, the lives of young Orthodox women and the Church’s approach to the modern information environment. The meeting concluded with a football match between female parishioners and a shared meal.

In June, a seminar for Orthodox women was held in Burundi and organized by the wives of local priests. The meeting resulted in the creation of a “Union of Orthodox Mothers,” whose stated aims include lay catechesis and mutual assistance among believers.

The series of meetings reflects the growing efforts to develop women’s participation, education and community life within Orthodox parishes in Africa.