Women Who Went Before “The Two Breasts of the Father”: Does Your God Look Like You?
Oct 11, 2022
Dr. Susan Ashbrook Harvey, a professor at Brown University specializing in late antique and Byzantine Christianity, offers a deep dive into how ancient gender perceptions influenced views of God. She unpacks the role of femininity in ancient hymns, showcasing a 2nd-century text that portrays God with maternal traits. The conversation delves into women's significant contributions in early church choirs and leadership roles, advocating for more inclusive divine representations, while challenging historical gender hierarchies in theological contexts.
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Women's Liturgical Roles
- Syriac Christian women participated actively in liturgies through choirs, deaconesses, nuns, and consecrated virgins.
- These women held various roles, from singing to visiting the sick, showcasing diverse participation.
Celebrating Bold Women
- Syriac texts often celebrate biblical women like Ruth and Tamar for boldness and challenging social norms in their faith.
- This contrasts with Greek and Latin texts, which don't emphasize these qualities.
Recording Practices
- Syriac Christianity's openness to women in liturgy may stem from historical records and canon law.
- The act of recording practices, like St. Ephraim establishing women's choirs, solidified their place in tradition.