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Why are women not permitted to recite any of the Readings in the church?

In the Holy Book of I Corinthians 14:34, we read, "Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says."


In the Holy Book of I Timothy 2:10-14, we read, "But, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression."

There is a book "Scandal of Gender" written by Patrick Mitchell that addresses this subject in depth.

St. John Chrysostom is quite clear as to the reasons why silence is required of women in the church:

"Great modesty and great propriety does the blessed Paul require of women, and that not only with respect to their dress and appearance: he proceeds even to regulate their speech. And what says he: "Let women learn in silence"; that is, let her not speak at all in the church; which rule he has also given in his epistle to the Corinthians, where he says "It is a shame for women to speak in the church" (1 Corinthians 14:35); and the reason is that the law has made them subject to men. And again elsewhere, "And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home."

And again:

"Seest thou the wisdom of Paul, what kind of testimony he adduced, one that not only enjoins on them silence, but silence too with fear; and with as great fear as that wherewith a maid servant ought to keep herself quiet. Where forth also having himself said, "it is not permitted unto them to speak," he added not, "but to be silent," but instead of "to be silent" he set down what is more, to wit, "the being in subjection." And if this be so in respect of husbands much more in respect of teachers, and fathers, and the general assembly of the church. Further, because they supposed this to be an ornament to them, I mean their speaking in public; again he brings round the discourse to the opposite point saying," For it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church."

In the "Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius" it is recorded that "women were never permitted to teach or chant in the early church. Females were not to read or chant for many reasons. It was noted that a female chanter or reader constituted a stumbling block. The eyes and ears of the congregation would be tuned to them and perhaps would become intoxicated with the sight and sound of high strung melodramatic voices of women, taking one away from the origin of modest and contrite songs of the church. Thus, the focus would be on the voice rather than the content of the song."

There are many ways whereby women could serve Church and in Church. One of the greatest ways to serve is to bring up their children in the fear of God, according to the Holy Bible and the Church teachings, so that they may grow "in Spirit and in Truth". Serving the poor, sick and those who are in grief is yet another very great way to serve. The elderly population in our Diocese is rapidly growing in number; and are therefore in need of  various kinds of assistance. Such assistance could range from transportation to and from the church, reading  the Holy Bible to them, helping feed them or even giving them their medication. These are only a few examples of the things that women usually excel in doing. One should not focus on what things are "not allowed" but rather on what things "are pleasing in the sight of God." The objective of serving is to serve with love, obedience and gladness. "You brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another" (Galatians 5:13).