Maybe, like us, you’re looking for an alternative to the never-ending news of polarization and conflict. Perhaps you, too, are wondering: how can we best live as Orthodox women in our world today?
Axia Women exists because we asked the question: What if Orthodox women, present and past, could teach us more about how to truly live into the fullest experience of life, our most real and life-giving selves, and discover Christ within our own hearts?
Mother Gavrilia inspires us because she did just that. She lived a life that by its end was absolutely free from fear, a life completely defined by love for Christ and her neighbor. And by choosing to love even those who were incredibly different from herself, she encountered the icon of Christ within. She could say “God loves your enemies as much as he loves you” from a place of genuine experience, reminding us all that we are called to love each other in the same way.
Our hope here at Axia is to make visible what is often hidden - the incredible contributions of Orthodox women in North America. But more than this, we don’t just want women to be seen - we want to SEE each other, believing that by bringing women together, healing, connection, and creativity would ignite as we brought to light the icon of Christ in each other.
Our end-of-year fundraiser is now under way to make it possible for Axia to continue this mission! We are in the process of our first major expansion. We have designed it so that we can bring Axia in a real way to an area near you - but we need your help.
If one of our blog posts has ever spoken to you, if you’ve ever admired a Woman of the Week, if you’ve ever come away from a workshop or webinar having learned something, or an Icon Encounter blog post touched you, please consider donating. This is a critical period for us, and any donation, however small, will make a difference to help us through this next year.
Donate now: https://app.aplos.com/aws/give/AxiaWomen/EOYAppeal2024
PS: Everyone who donates will receive a St. Gavrilia sticker with this quote, designed by Axia Board member Amber Schley Iragui!