AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH AS THE BODY OF CHRIST -- THE ORTHODOX VISION.

A conference paper is presented about the church as the body of Christ from the Orthodox perspective. The words of Afro-American educator Anna Julia Cooper is cited indicating the importance of hearing the voices of women that make up half of those baptized into the body of Christ and taking on Christ in order to fulfill the vision of the church. The authoritative and hierarchical nature of the Orthodox Church is discussed which is said to limit the potential and participation of all non-ordained members of the body of Christ.