Changing canon law

[Olympiada]

It is my understanding that councils are held to change canons and these are called by hierarchs. Are there any instances in the history of church where laywomen have been successeful in bringing about a council to change canon law. Also does anyone know what the most recent, if any, change in canon law has been?

[M.C. Steenberg]

It is my understanding that councils are held to change canons and these are called by hierarchs. Are there any instances in the history of church where laywomen have been successeful in bringing about a council to change canon law. Also does anyone know what the most recent, if any, change in canon law has been?
The empress Pulcheria, a laywoman, was of direct influence on the conciliar proceedings of the council of Ephesus in AD 431.

XB, Matthew

[Olga]

Though this case might not be quite of a woman influencing the change of canon law, Empress Theodora, on the death of her iconoclastic husband Theophilus (ironic name!!) convened the Seventh Ecumenical Council, which, among other matters it considered, re-established the veneration of icons.

[Daniel Smith]

Off topic: NIcea II is a very good council to show protestants! :) It specifically says the body and blood of the lord are not symbolically represented by trhe bread and wine. So, yeah. Triumph Orthodoxy!