Journal of Eastern Christian Studies 69(1-4), 323-332. doi: 10.2143/JECS.69.1.3214962 © 2017 by Journal of Eastern Christian Studies. All rights reserved. THE ESCHATOLOGICAL BODY CONSTRUCTING CHRISTIAN ORTHODOX ANTHROPOLOGY BEYOND SEXUAL IDEOLOGY SPYRIDOULA ATHANASOPOULOU-KYPRIOU INTRODUCTION My intention in this paper is not to develop an Orthodox theology of sexual- ity that would address all the challenges of critical theories and of contem- porary social situations and human conditions. Rather, it is to discuss the possible relevance of the Christian Orthodox tradition to contemporary issues of gender and sexuality. As a theologian with an overtly feminist agenda, I try to make the Christian message and the thought of the Fathers and Mothers of the Church relevant to all people, and especially to those who suffer physical and/or psychological pain, and to those who are marginalized, socially excluded and treated as scape- goats. A question that I often ask myself is the question that I would like to discuss in this paper: How can Orthodox theological discourse respond to contemporary challenges of sexual difference and of natural and thus compul- sory heterosexuality without regressing to gender essentialism, sexism and patriarchal homophobia? In other words: Can Orthodox theological discourse ever become relevant to people who are discriminated against on the basis of their gender and/or sexuality? My question undoubtedly assumes that, in the eyes of oppressed and marginalized people, Orthodox theological discourse seems irreversibly sexist and racist and essentially homophobic. Rather than challenging the assumption that Orthodoxy, as a cultural product, is sexist and homophobic, I explore the liberating resources of the Eastern Orthodox tradi- tion. I also argue that Patristic thought and Orthodox theology may contribute both to the spiritual aspirations of all those discriminated against on the basis of their sexuality, and to the contemporary discourse about sexuality. * Hellenic Open University.