The Rev. Dr Gregory Christakos (D.Min. ‘24) presented his doctoral research in a webinar entitled “The Anatolian Genocide: Understanding Narratives Of Tragedy From An Orthodox Perspective,” at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Director of the Doctor of Ministry program, the Very Rev. Sergius Halvorsen gave introductory remarks, inviting all those interested in pursuing a D.Min. to apply for the 2027 cohort, which begins classes this coming fall semester.
In this presentation and discussion, Fr Greg talked about the trauma of genocide, in this case specifically of Orthodox Christians in Asia Minor in the waning days of the Ottoman Empire (late 19th century to 20th century). He first provided a brief history of the Anatolian Genocide, which is also referred to in ethnic terms (e.g. the Armenian Genocide), and argued that the killing which occurred was not primarily ethnically motivated–anyone who practiced the Orthodox Christian faith in the region of Anatolia was brutally targeted.
Fr Greg went on to address a very contemporary question: why should we, over a century later, dwell on this terrible, yet seemingly distant part of our past? Quoting St Paul in Gal. 6:2, Fr Greg encouraged his listeners to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” As Orthodox Christians, we should have an understanding of past genocidal events and those who were martyred as part of them. Remembering and commemorating these traumatic events as part of our history and identity, regardless of our own ethnic background, helps us to cultivate Christ-like empathy so that we can “identify with others’ pain and stand up and oppose genocidal activity now.”
In his conclusion, Fr Greg discussed how we process narratives of trauma through the lens of Orthodox Christianity and how we use the various tools in our Orthodox toolkit to understand and move forward through such events.
To listen to Fr Greg’s presentation of his graduate research project for the D.Min. program at St Vladimir’s Seminary, and to read his final project paper, click the buttons below.
Watch Webinar Recording
Read Fr Greg’s D.Min. Project
About the Doctor of Ministry Program
The Doctor of Ministry degree at St Vladimir's Seminary enhances the practice of ministry for ordained and lay ministers in the Orthodox Church. The program integrates enhanced competencies in pastoral analysis with skills necessary to lead students to an advanced understanding of the nature and purposes of ministry. Working in communities of teachers and learners, the students gain deeper knowledge about the practice of serving others in Christian love as they grow in spiritual maturity as ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The D.Min. program at St Vladimir's Seminary provides priests, chaplains, and other pastoral professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in order to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering. Integrating doctoral-level academic work with pastoral spirituality, this program will help you to acquire and refine the skills to minister to those whom God has called you to serve. Please consider joining us in a doctoral program that will give you an opportunity to foster deep and lasting friendships as we engage in work that contributes to authentic spiritual and pastoral renewal. The next D.Min. cohort will commence in Fall 2024. Through the generous support of Protodeacon Peter and Tanya Danilchick, qualified DMin students can receive financial support from the Danilchick Family Endowment for Pastoral Studies.
About the Speakers
Fr Gregory Christakos
Fr Greg Christakos grew up in the Merrimack Valley area of Massachusetts. He studied at the University of Virginia and Trinity College, Oxford, and graduated from UVA with a B.A. in history. After six years of working in the legal field in Charlottesville, VA, Fr Greg discerned a calling to the priesthood and attended Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA. During this time, he did an exchange semester at St Vladimir’s Seminary and graduated from Holy Cross with a Master of Divinity degree in 2005. Shortly thereafter, he married the former Eleni Pitsillides and was ordained.
After serving as the assistant pastor at St Spyridon Cathedral for six years, Fr Greg was named pastor of Sts Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church in Marlborough, MA., where he continues to serve. Fr Greg concluded his formal education at St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary with a D.Min. in 2024. His many interests include genocide studies, linguistics, and religious minorities in the Near and Middle East.
The Very Rev. Sergius Halvorsen
The Very Rev. Sergius Halvorsen (M.Div. ‘96; Ph.D., Drew University, 2002) is Assistant Professor of Homiletics and Rhetoric at St Vladimir's Seminary and serves as director of the Doctor of Ministry Program. In addition to teaching homiletics and rhetoric, he also teaches courses in Christian education and the sacred art of narrative. Fr Sergius is a priest of the Orthodox Church in America, he is attached to Holy Transfiguration Church in New Haven, CT, and has contributed to a number of "Archangel Voices" recordings. He currently lives in New Haven, CT, and serves part-time as a chaplain at Yale New Haven Hospital. He loves gardening, hiking, biking, and reading biographies and fiction.
