The problem of the ordination of women (consecration to the ministry) is becoming particularly relevant against the background of the ongoing advancement of gender equality in all spheres of public life including religion. At the same time, some Churches oppose the ordination of women, appealing to the established orders of religious life. The authors analyse world and national religions in terms of their relationship to women's spirituality and religious identity, give a general description of the ordination of women in world and national religions, in general, and the ordination of women in Christianity, in particular, present the climate of public opinion and organizational realities of women's ordination in Christian countries. It is concluded that ordination is one of the manifestations of religious identity, is directly related to the canons, the cultural tradition of religion, and, more recently, a shift towards gender parity not only of society but also of a particular religion represents the general trend of world and national religions in relation to women.
