The Light of the World Webinar Series was born from survey feedback gathered in late 2022 from St Vladimir’s Seminary constituents. One of the issues respondents asked to hear about most was gender; accordingly, the Light of the World Webinar Series has now addressed gender twice: identifying its definition according to Scripture in November 2023, and again for the March 2024 session with a specific focus on womanhood. The webinar on March 28, titled “Lighting Your Lamps with the Wise Bridesmaids: a Discussion on Biblical Femininity,” was co-hosted by Mother Devorah Salamon (M.A. ‘23), and Sister Anastasia Colchester (M.A. ‘23), both members of St Macarius Monastery in Phoenix, AZ.
Mother Devorah and Sister Anastasia each have fascinating backgrounds as former atheists and students of 21st-century feminist theory, and both came to a new understanding of femininity through their individual encounters with Christ in the Orthodox Church as adults. During the course of the webinar, both Mother Devorah and Sister Anastasia introduced their graduate research related to the topic of biblical femininity, completed in 2023 for their M.A. degrees from St Vladimir’s Seminary, and also spoke about their inspiring journeys from a life very much in the world to their current monastic callings.
The Q&A session following the speakers’ presentations was moderated by Seminary President, the Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield, who read questions from listeners about how to transition from a worldly approach to femininity to a Christ-oriented one. He thanked the speakers for their pointed and in-depth presentations and commentary, and also urged listeners to make a contribution to St Macarius Monastery, which is now striving to complete housing for the monastic community growing there.
Chief Advancement Officer, webinar orchestrator, and SVS Press Director, Sarah Werner, also thanked the speakers for their valuable insights and encouraged listeners to support current students at St Vladimir’s Seminary by making a donation to the scholarship fund at svots.edu/give. She also introduced Sister Anastasia’s upcoming book with SVS Press, You Are Mine, a raw and unflinching account of her transformation and conversion from New Age and occult spirituality to life in Christ in the Orthodox Church (available for pre-order here).
To watch the recording of the sixth session of the Light of the World Webinar Series, “Lighting Your Lamps with the Wise Bridesmaids: a Discussion on Biblical Femininity”, click the button below.
Watch Webinar Recording
To read the written version of Sister Anastasia’s talk, click the button below:
Read Sister Anastasia’s talk
About the Light of the World Webinar Series
This monthly webinar series features speakers from among St Vladimir’s Seminary faculty, alumni, and friends, speaking on a variety of topics while answering a core question:
How are we Christians to be the light of the world?
Drawing inspiration from feedback received through a recent survey, these webinars aim to address a diverse range of themes that address real and pressing issues facing Orthodox faithful in modern society.
These online webinars are open to the public and free of cost. They are recorded and uploaded to the St Vladimir’s Seminary YouTube channel after the live Zoom event for easy access.
