The Orthodox Christian Studies Center of Fordham University, in collaboration with the Department of Religious Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, is pleased to present the Speaker Series: Orthodox Scholars Preach.

Every week until Pascha, a different Orthodox Scholar will release a new video. This Series provides a platform for Orthodox scholars to reflect on the spiritual themes of each Sunday's liturgical calendar while drawing on their expertise.

This week's sermon for the Sunday of St. John Climacus is given by Patricia Fann Bouteneff. Dr. Bouteneff (D.Phil. Oxon.) is the president and founder of Axia Women, a network by, for, and about Orthodox women, in the service of Christ. She is a strategic communications consultant, a former corporate chief-of-staff, an independent scholar specializing in folklore and Pontic Greek studies, and a non-profit leader. Her work has always maintained a focus on discerning women’s voices, and on amplifying those voices so that they can be heard. Baptized as an adult in Thessaloniki at a metochi of Simonopetra Monastery, she has been active in church communities in Greece, England, Switzerland, and the US