The woman also in the image of God

This article by Elisabeth Behr-Sigel examines the conception of woman as image of God in patristic theology, drawing primarily on the writings of Basil of Caesarea and Gregory of Nyssa. Proceeding through theological and exegetical study, the author traces the development of the notion of *imago Dei* from its biblical and philosophical roots to its Cappadocian formulation, carefully distinguishing the Christian contribution from the Platonic heritage. The central idea is that the Fathers, despite certain cultural ambivalences and dualistic influences, consistently maintained the equal dignity of man and woman as bearers of the same divine image and called to the same deification. The article's contribution is twofold: it shows that this fundamental patristic conviction remains distinct from occasional rhetorical excesses, and it opens the unresolved question of the ecclesiological and ministerial consequences to be drawn from this theological equality.