By the Rev. Dana Wilson
St. Luke’s, Stephenville, hosted Father Nektarios of the Orthodox Community in North Texas on Monday, August 9th, for dinner and a presentation entitled, “Mary Magdalene and Women Saints in the Orthodox Church.” Father Nektarios is Dr. Eric Morrow, Dean of the Liberal and Fine Arts Department at Tarleton State University. Four members of the Orthodox Community in Granbury were also guests for the evening. There were about 15 people from St. Luke’s who attended, and we all appreciated the fellowship with one another and our guests.
This presentation was planned by Jane Hickie, a member of St. Luke’s who had attended a Lenten study this spring using the book, “The Meaning of Mary Magdalene: Discovering the Woman at the Heart of Christianity,” by Cynthia Bourgeault. Many thanks to Jane and to Suzanne and Taber Meyers for hosting the dinner.
We learned from Father Nektarios that Mary Magdalene and other women saints are very much a part of the worship of the Orthodox Community. We were privileged and very moved to hear Fr. Nektarios chant the first stanza of the hymn to Mary Magdalene and the prayer designated for her feast day, July 22nd. Mary Magdalene is also celebrated in the Episcopal Church on July 22nd. The presentation was very informative and meeting our brothers and sisters in Christ from the Orthodox community was a gift we did not expect. We all prayed the Lord’s Prayer together before leaving.