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?
St. Gavrilia inspires us because she did just that. As a recently canonized saint, we realize not everyone has heard of her yet - which is why we want to make her life and words visible this month.
By its end, St. Gavrilia’s life was absolutely free from fear; completely defined by love for Christ and her neighbor. 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 in the same way to love each other.
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. We believe that by bringing women together, healing, connection, and creativity ignite as we bring 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.
PS: Everyone who donates at any level will receive this incredible sticker of one of St. Gavrilia’s best-known sayings–and it is designed by Axia Board member Amber Schley Iragui!