The inter-Orthodox consultation of Rhodes

This article by Elisabeth Behr-Sigel presents and evaluates the inter-Orthodox consultation held in Rhodes from October 30 to November 7, 1988, devoted to the place of women in the Orthodox Church and the question of the ordination of women. Adopting both a descriptive and critical approach, the author traces the prehistory of this event, analyzes the composition and work of the participants, and then examines the conclusions adopted. The article highlights the theological pluralism revealed during the debates, pitting a majority neo-conservative tendency against a minority favorable to a more in-depth reflection on Christology, anthropology, and the theology of the priesthood. Its main contribution lies in identifying the internal tensions within Orthodox thought on this subject and in demonstrating that the consultation, without reaching a definitive conclusion, opened a process of reflection capable of engaging Orthodoxy in a creative fidelity to Tradition.