Women:

Oprah (Essentially unmodified) is used to mock a consensus based worldview; Ankh symbolism is used in contrasting Cirinist and Kevillist viewpoints: one life is more overgrown and obscured by principles than another, but both are going down nearly identical paths: "This is the case, everyone must agree".

Elrod and the Elf are at the centre of the Ankh on the cover.

Astoria and Cirin, after a communal dream, both achieve some enlightenment. Astoria holds on to it, Cirin doesn't, and compromise (Not Consensus!) is averted (pages 147-152, 168).

Suenteus Po, Cerebus, and Astoria all head to meet Cirin at the Eastern Church of Tarim.

I find the likely geopolitical background to Cerebus interesting in light of the architecture of the Church (Last panel): a pastiche of Classical, Gothic, and Renaissance. But how could I possibly say whether this is an intentional story point, or just Gerhard having fun?