ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the background, aim, and scope of this edited volume. It discusses the relative scarcity of studies on gender-related issues in Orthodox Christianity, suggesting some reasons for this shortage. It provides the reader with basic information on Orthodox Christianity, on Orthodox teachings regarding gender, and on conditions under which Orthodox churches and communities operate in modern times. In addition, it outlines recent influential discussions in scholarship on religion and gender. These concern lived religion, embodiment, and materiality as well as agency.
