Ambrosius, Metropolitan of Helsinki

Risto Jääskeläinen worked as the rector of the Nurmes Evangelical School during 1967–1968 and as a lecturer of the Orthodox Theological Seminary of Finland during 1969–1970.

During the liturgy, Askola had been shown a place on the kliros, near the iconostasis, but during the ordination, which lasted about 10 minutes, Ambrosius invited her into the altar.

[4][5] This caused great controversy, with first Archbishop Leo and then the retired vicar of the Helsinki Orthodox Parish, Father Veikko Purmonen criticized the act.

[6] According to the archbishop, the presence of a woman in the altar and the prayers of the deacons were "against the liturgical order of the Orthodox church."

… I understand completely the deep shock and the strong protests of the church goers, when they were forced to watch an ecumenical play, for which they had not been prepared at all."

Purmonen went on to say that "even in elementary school all Orthodox children are taught that according to the canons, only those who have a task there can enter the altar.

One area of life that the Orthodox theologians have discussed for a long time is the position of the woman in the church.

"[7] According to Ambrosius, he had made "a beautiful ecumenical gesture … We were thankful that a Lutheran bishop wanted to see the event and learn about it and to experience the ordination in our church.

… It is a special challenge for a minority church to grow away from such inwardly oriented and excessively emphasized pride.

And as we represent an unbroken chain of faith, ever since early Christianity, the value of this tradition is tested by our readiness to share its treasures with other Christians.”[8] The controversy went on, when Archbishop Leo wrote about it to Bartholomew I, the Patriarch of Constantinople.

The Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate then wrote to Ambrosius e.g. the following:[9] It is not only not recommended that outsiders enter the altar, it is clearly forbidden.

– – The entering of a heterodox Lutheran female bishop into the altar, and her presence there during the liturgy, even as an onlooker, is against the canons and something that is not correct.

– – The mother church of Constantinople is bewildered and surprised, and we the members of the Holy Synod are saddened and sorrowful because of your actions.

We know the reasons for which 'we do not want to excommunicate those who have caused the scandal', but instead we encourage all Pastors of the Church to 'be continually awake, according to their calling'.