ORTHODOX EDUCATION DAY 2014: "Do Books Still Matter? A Celebration of Orthodox Christian Publications"

Start Date



This year's theme for the seminary's annual campus open house, Orthodox Education Day 2014, will be "Do Books Still Matter? A Celebration of Orthodox Christian Publications." “Ed Day” will be held Saturday, October 4 and will pay tribute to the importance of Orthodox Christian authors, illustrators, and publishing houses throughout the world.

Nine Orthodox Christian publishers will display their books and wares:

All Saints Greek Orthodox Monastery
Ancient Faith Radio
Ancient Faith Publishing
Holy Cross Orthodox Press
Holy Myrrhbearers Orthodox Monastery
Holy Trinity Publications
Mount Thabor Publishing 
Sebastian Press
St Tikhon's Monastery Press and Bookstore
St Vladimir's Seminary Press

The celebration of Divine Liturgy in Three Hierarchs Chapel at 9:00 a.m. will begin the day. The Most Blessed Tikhon, archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada, Orthodox Church in America (OCA) will concelebrate with His Grace Bishop John of Naro-Fominsk, Moscow Patriarchate, His Grace Bishop Saba of the Georgian Apostolic Orthodox Church in North America, and Archbishop Melchisedek of the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, together with seminary clergy. Antiphonal choirs will be directed by Dr. David Drillock, the seminary’s emeritus Professor of Liturgical Music and editor of several SVS Press music books, and Hdn. Herman (Majkrzak), current lecturer in Liturgical Music and director of Chapel Music.

 The dean of the seminary, The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr, author of academic, popular, and spiritual works, will present the keynote: “From Scroll to Book to Net: The Web of Knowledge.” The seminary’s own publishing house, St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press (SVS Press), will receive special recognition on its 50th Anniversary Year; many other Orthodox Christian publishers will be invited onto campus to mark the occasion by exhibiting book displays. Additionally, there will be workshops for children and adults, and a variety of ethnic foods and desserts.

Met Museum Concert and Panel Conclude Pärt Series

Watch the entire panel discussion on YouTube!

During a panel discussion held in The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Wednesday evening, June 11, a neuroscientist, an architect, and a theologian explored links between human perception, space, and sound, in tribute to famed Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. Their intriguing conversation was part of the Spark series at the museum, hosted by Julie Burstein, Peabody Award–winning creator of National Public Radio’s Studio 360, and was a collaborative effort between the museum and the Arvo Pärt Project at St. Vladimir’s Seminary. 

The Spark series explores vital ideas and issues through the lens of the museum’s collections and programs, and the panel discussion, entitled “Spirit in Sound and Space: A Conversation Inspired by Arvo Pärt,” followed an acclaimed performance of Pärt’s Kanon Pokajanen (“Canon of Repentance”) by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir at the museum’s Temple of Dendur the previous week. Spark panelists—typically experts in wide-ranging disciplines such as theater, film, politics, literature, science, pop culture, music, religion, and so forthcross the boundaries of their own subject matter to engage in fresh conversations.

Wednesday night’s eclectic panel included Robert Zatorre of the Montreal Neurological Institute, Steven Holl of Steven Holl Architects, and Peter Bouteneff, associate professor of Systematic Theology at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, all of whom are also capable musicians.Dr. Zatorre explained how music engages the primal “reward system” planted deep within the human brain and how humans use the same portion of the brain to navigate spatial configurations and to understand intervals of musical sounds. Mr. Holl described how he has not only created spaces for music but also has designed structures based on musical patterns and scores. Dr. Bouteneff talked about the thread of spirituality—rooted in the Orthodox Christian tradition that Mr. Pärt embraces—that grounds the composer’s masterpieces and weaves unapologetically throughout them.

Enthusiastic audience reaction to the conversation evidenced the popularity of Mr. Pärt’s distinctive music, which received rave reviews in late May and early June when he and his wife, Nora, visited New York City for the first time since 1984 to attend performances of his works in Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall and the Temple of Dendur at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

“This panel was a transition from the ‘concert phase’ to the ‘academic phase’ of the Arvo Pärt Project,” said Dr. Bouteneff, co-director of the project with colleague and seminary faculty member Dr. Nicholas Reeves. “Our next endeavors will include publication of my upcoming book Arvo Pärt: Out of Silence (SVS Press 2014) and, hopefully, biennial conferences with performance components.”

Read the New York Times's review of the Carnegie Hall concert

Read the New York Times’s review of the Temple of Dendur concert

Listen to the performance of Kanon Pokajanen on WQXR Radio

Dr. Meyendorff at Notable Orthodox-Catholic Meeting

In early June The Father Alexander Schmemann Professor of Liturgical Theology Dr. Paul Meyendorff traveled to New Hampshire for the 86th Meeting of the North America Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation, held at the St. Methodius Faith and Heritage Center of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston. Also attending the meeting was The Very Rev. John Erickson, former St. Vladimir's dean and Peter N. Gramowich Professor of Church History, Emeritus.

The group continued its ongoing deliberations on the roles of clergy and laity, and also discussed the conciliar nature of the Church. In addition, the Consultation approved a statement affirming the value of a married clergy in the Eastern tradition.

The statement was particularly significant given not only the obstacles that Eastern Catholic Churches have faced in maintaining this practice both in their homelands and in North America, but also given the context of the ongoing debates on this issue within Roman Catholicism as well.

"This action would affirm the ancient and legitimate Eastern Christian tradition (of married clergy) and would assure the Orthodox that, in the event of the restoration of full communion between the two churches, the traditions of the Orthodox Church would not be questioned," the statement noted.

The Consultation drew the attention of The New York Times. Journalist Michael Paulson noted in his June 6, 2014 story that the request to allow married clergy "carries significant weight because it comes from the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation, whose Catholic members are appointed by the conferences of bishops in the United States and Canada."

The Consultation also began to make plans for 2015, when participants will mark the 50th anniversary of the dialogue.

Estonian Composer Arvo Pärt Thrills NYC Audience

A capacity crowd at Carnegie Hall lauded the music and person of Estonian Orthodox Christian composer at a stunning performance May 31. Some of his pieces seem to speak directly to the soul with profound simplicity, like the minimalist “Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten,” while other compositions challenge the listener with juxtapositions of silence and unresolved harmonies. His trademark style of tintinnabuli (“little bells”) has a broad appeal, as evidenced by Saturday night’s audience, which included not only high ranking clergy from the Orthodox Christian Church, of which Arvo Pärt is a member, but also actor Keanu Reeves, Icelandic singer-songwriter Björk, and hundreds of admirers from across the U.S. who came to fill the 2,804-seat auditorium.

Maestro Pärt received the audience’s accolades following the performance with his typical humility and grace, extending thanks to the conductor, orchestra, and choir, and gesturing in a childlike manner that he was a tad sleepy and that the overwhelming thunder of applause was welcome—but quite enough, after six curtain calls. Following the performance, he and his wife were warmly honored by administrators, trustees, and faculty of the Seminary at a reception hosted by the Estonian government and The Honorable Urve Tiidus, Estonian Minister of Culture. Many other distinguished representatives of the Estonian government, among them, The Consul General of Estonia, Sten Schwede, and Her Excellency Marina Kaljurand, Estonian Ambassador to the United States, also attended the reception.

Five Seminarians Ordained to Holy Orders in May

In a fitting culmination to the 2013–2014 Academic Year, five St. Vladimir's seminarians in the Master of Divinity program were ordained to the Holy Diaconate and the Holy Priesthood in the month of May. (Photo credits: Rami Dahdal, Leanne Parrott Photography)

 

View photo gallery

Deacon Gabriel Tannous, Amman, Jordan and Spring, TX

Student status  Third Year, Antiochian Archdiocese of North America

Ordination  Holy Diaconate, May 11 2014, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Danbury, CT., by The Right Rev. Bishop Nicholas (Ozone), auxiliary bishop for Brooklyn  of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, assisted by the parish rector and SVOTS alumnus, The Very Rev. Fr. George Alberts

Educational and Professional Background  Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, May 2006: Bachelor of Arts in International Politics, Minors in Business and Middle Eastern Studies; sales executive; employee for his father’s business

Biographical note  One of 6 children, Dn. Gabriel was born as “Jabra” in Amman, Jordan, and moved with his family to the U.S. as a child. His parents grew up as Palestinian refugees in Amman, Jordan, after their parents fled Palestine following World War II.

In the 2013–2014 school year, Dn. Gabriel has served the community of St. James Antiochian Orthodox Church in Poughkeepsie, NY, with The Very Rev. Hisham Nimri. He married Gabriella Mobayed of Sugarland, TX on June 16th, 2013 In St. Anthony Antiochian Orthodox Church in Spring, TX, and has participated as a member of the Student Council during the 2013–2014 school year. This summer, he will be an assistant to Bishop Nicholas, who works at the Antiochian Archdiocese headquarters in Englewood, NJ.

As a 14 year old at St. Philip Orthodox Church in Souderton, PA, my priest Fr. Boniface Black suggested that I consider the priesthood. The thought never escaped my mind, and eventually penetrated my heart one evening many years later in my Houston parish, when I noticed that I was closer to the age of my priest Fr. Anthony Baba, than I was to the age of the altar boys!



 
 

View photo gallery

Father Kyle Parrott, Calgary, Alberta

Student status Class of 2014, Orthodox Church in America (OCA)

Ordination  Holy Priesthood, May 25, 2014, Holy Trinity Church in Yonkers, NY, by His Grace The Right Rev. Michael, bishop of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey (OCA), with SVOTS Chancellor/CEO The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield, The Rev. David Cowan, The Rev. Dr. David Meyzinski, and Protodeacon John Eby assisting

Educational and Professional Background  Bachelor of Arts in History and Minor Greek and Roman Studies: University of Calgary; sales and marketing 

Biographical note  Father Kyle spent his early years in the Anglican church before becoming active in several Evangelical churches. His interest in missions led him to participate in short–term outreach in Grenada (in the Caribbean) and in Uruguay. He has been serving at the Holy Trinity Church in Yonkers, NY (Orthodox Church in America) under the guidance of Rector The Rev. David Cowan. The Parrotts' daughter Sophia was born in 2011 at the beginning of Dn. Kyle's studies. Matushka Leanne is a gifted photographer and has chronicled many events for the St. Vladimir's Website.

It was my university studies that caused me to question my own Christian tradition and to look at other churches. Eventually my inquiries led to my entry into the Orthodox Church, along with Leanne, the young woman I married in 2008. After our wedding, we embraced parish life at Holy Martyr Peter the Aleut Church in Calgary; I served as a Reader and Mat. Leanne directed the choir, and we both taught Church School. During a time of personal reevaluation we decided to "take the plunge" and come to St. Vladimir's Seminary. 

 

View photo gallery

Deacon Joshua Trant, Dallas, TX

Student status   Third Year, Orthodox Church in America (OCA)

Ordination  Holy Diaconate, May 29, 2014, The Ascension of our Lord, in Three Hierarchs Chapel at St. Vladimir's Seminary by His Beatitude The Most Blessed Tikhon, primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA)

Educational and Professional Background B.A. in Intercultural Studies from Houghton College, 1999–2003; Language Surveyor, Wycliffe Bible Translators, 2005–2006 (South Asia); Eighth Grade English teacher, 2009–2012

Biographical note   Before attending seminary, Joshua worked as a field linguist for Wycliffe Bible Translators in South Asia and then as an eighth grade English teacher in Dallas, Texas. While living and working in Dallas, Joshua and his wife Heather attended the St. Seraphim Cathedral. In August 2013, The Trants welcomed the newest member of their family, Tabitha.

An elderly deacon once told me, "It's only after you receive the grace of the Holy Spirit that you are pronounced worthy." Life in the Church is like that: the Spirit acts in our life, and we are made worthy to receive. Thankfully, we never begin our ministry alone; the Spirit always precedes us, making our paths straight and our ministry fruitful.

I have felt the support of the faculty, clergy, and especially my confessor these past two years at St. Vladimir's. Not a blind support, as if ordination had always been a foregone conclusion, but rather exhortation stemming from a desire to see one who felt God's calling persist along a difficult, but ultimately joyful, path. 

 

View photo gallery

Father Alessandro Margheritino, Palermo, Italy and Columbus, OH

Student status  Class of 2014, Orthodox Church in America (OCA)

Ordination  Holy Priesthood, May 29, 2014, The Ascension of our Lord, in Three Hierarchs Chapel at St. Vladimir's Seminary by His Beatitude The Most Blessed Tikhon, primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA)

Educational and Professional Background  B.A. in International Relations – Political Science from the University of Palermo, Italy; Short-term missions with the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) and the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) in Albania, Kenya, and Louisiana

Biographical note  Born and raised in Palermo, Italy, Fr. Alessandro hails from Ohio, where he is a faithful member of St. Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Church (OCA) in Columbus with rector The Rev. Matthew Moriak. He has served as the president of Student Council and is married to Anna, an iconographer originally from Moscow, Russia. Father Alessandro and Anna recently became the proud parents of their first son, Luca Aleksandrovich, born at the beginning of April. He will return next fall as a Th.M. student when he plans to write his thesis on the concept of oikonomia in the canonical tradition. He has been ministering at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church in New Haven, CT this school year.

St. Vladimir's forms us with theological, liturgical and pastoral training. But no matter how "prepared" you might feel, when led to the Altar through the Holy Doors, standing before the Holy Gifts for the first time, you feel a great sense of unworthiness. Then you realize more than ever that it is only with God's grace and the prayers of the faithful that you can begin your ministry. 

 

View photo gallery

Deacon Theodor Svane, Bergen, Norway

Student status  Third Year, Archdiocese of Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe, Exarchate of the Ecumenical Patriarch

Ordination  Holy Diaconate, June 1, 2014, Three Hierarchs Chapel at St. Vladimir's Seminary, by Archbishop Job of Telmessos, with chapel clergy assisting

Educational and Professional Background  Bachelor of Civil Engineering: Bergen University College, Norway; Bachelor of Christian Studies: NLA University College, Norway; Master of Christian Studies: NLA University College, Norway; Work experience as Consulting Civil Engineer in Norway

Biographical note  Before coming to the U.S. and St. Vladimir's, Dn. Theodor worked for several years as a Consulting Civil Engineer in a major consulting firm in Bergen Norway. He has been married to Hanne Louise for 11 years this June and together they have one son, Simon Johan. They plan to go back to Norway to do missionary work after finishing their stay in the U.S. 

Congratulations, Class of 2014!

Listen to the audio on Ancent Faith Radio's podcast, Voices From St. Vladimir's

On Saturday morning, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard), primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), and His Grace Nicholas (Ozone), auxiliary bishop for Brooklyn of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA), presided over the Prayer of Supplication (Molieben) in Three Hierarchs Chapel, on behalf of the graduates. Metropolitan Tikhon, president and chair of the seminary Board of Trustees, opened and closed the Commencement Exercises.

In his remarks, Commencement speaker Archbishop Job (Getcha) exhorted the graduates to be mindful of "the one thing needful" mentioned in the gospel story of Martha and Mary (Luke 10.38–42).

"Young pastors are often preoccupied by many things, and most of these things are rather practical—what should I live on, what do I preach about?" His Eminence began, "But the one thing needful, the most essential part, is prayer and worship, the heart of church life.

"We will find amazing and unexpected solutions as long as we pray and accept God's will," encouraged Archbishop Job. "Always have hope in God and entrust your whole lives to God in prayer."

The archbishop was elected to lead The Patriarchal Exarchate for Orthodox Parishes of Russian Tradition in Western Europe in 2013. Formerly Dean of the Institut Saint-Serge in Paris and professor there of Liturgy and Church History and Senior Scholar at the Institut Catholique de Paris, Archbishop Job is on the faculty at the Institute of Postgraduate Studies in Orthodox Theology at the Orthodox Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambesy, Switzerland. He also authored the recently released SVS Press book The Typikon Decoded.

Other hierarchs present at the Commencement were: His Eminence Silouan, metropolitan of Buenos Aires and all Argentina and Patriarchal Vicar of New York and all North America; and His Grace David, bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York and New England. Other special guests included The Very Rev. Dr. Steven Voytovich, dean of St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary, South Canaan, PA; and The Rev. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess Armenian Theological Seminary, Armonk, NY.

Special recognition was given to Valedictorians The Rev. Nicholas Eric Roth and The Rev. Kyle Parrott; and Salutatorians Seminarian John Bradley Vien and Luke Bullock. Also, Student Council President The Rev. Alessandro Margheritino presented the St. Macrina Award for Excellence in Teaching, selected by student vote, to Dr. Paul Meyendorff, The Father Alexander Schmemann Professor of Liturgical Theology.

Additionally, the seminary Board of Trustees awarded an honorary Doctor of Sacred Music degree to famed Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. The Consul General of Estonia, Sten Schwede; The Honorable Urve Tiidus, Estonian Minister of Culture; and Her Excellency Marina Kaljurand, Estonian Ambassador to the United States, attended the academic ceremony.

After the Commencement Exercises Maestro Pärt and his wife, Nora, were honored by the St. Vladimir's Seminary Children's Choir, led by Khouria Danielle Miller. The choir sang the Orthodox Christian Vespers service, with music especially arranged for them by composer Ivan Moody. The children's choir will be publishing a recording of the vespers in fall 2014.

Arvo Pärt Project at St. Vladimir's Seminary and featuring his music, performed by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and conducted by Tõnu Kaljuste.

The entire St. Vladimir's community wishes the Class of 2014 many years!

Seminary Congratulates New Patriarch on Installation

On this Feast of the Ascension the entire St. Vladimir's Seminary community offers special congratulations to His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II upon his installation as the 123rd Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church (SOC). Prior to his election as the new Patriarch, His Holiness served as Archbishop of the Eastern United States (SOC). Seminary leaders and students bid His Holiness farewell at celebratory occasions prior to his departure to Syria and his installation at the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul at St. Aphrem's Monastery in Maarat Saydnaya.

St. Vladimir's Dean The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr attended a farewell banquet for His Holiness in Paramus, NJ on May 9, hosted by the Archdiocese for the Eastern United States. Father John presented His Holiness with several gifts from the Seminary and expressed his wishes to visit His Holiness in Damascus. Commenting on the evening, Fr. John remarked that "It was a wonderful occasion: His Holiness is manifestly loved very much by his flock, who are grieved to see him leave, but know that in his hands, guided by God, their church will undoubtedly flourish. I look forward to building ever stronger connections between St. Vladimir's and the Syriac Orthodox Church."

Seminary Chancellor/CEO The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield attended a May 13 luncheon in honor of the Patriarch-elect, hosted by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over the gathering at the Armenian Church's Diocesan Center, having recently returned from meetings with Pope Francis in Rome, Italy, and Patriarch Kirill in Moscow, Russia.

"Our seminary has a long history of service to the Oriental Orthodox Communities and now new and stronger bonds have been formed with both old friends and new leadership in these difficult days for all Christians in the Middle East," noted Fr. Chad.

Seminarian Dn. Shiryl Mathai and his wife Asha attended "Patriarch Appreciation Night", an evening devoted to the youth of the Archdiocese. Deacon Shiryl is a first-year student with the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America; the archdiocese is under the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch. The American primate, Archbishop H.E. Mor Titus Yeldho, is a St. Vladimir's graduate of the Class of 2003.

Read more about the newly elected Patriarch's Installation. 

In Memoriam: Dr. Anthony P. Gythiel

Read Dr. Gythiel's article, "Translation as a Means of Grace," from Jacob's Well, Winter 2012 

Dr. Anthony P. Gythiel, 83, retired Wichita State University professor and renowned translator, entered into eternal rest on May 15, 2014 in Wichita, Kansas. Dr. Gythiel, who was presented a Doctor of Divinity degree (honoris causa) in 2008 by St. Vladimir’s Seminary’s Board of Trustees, was a dear friend of the Seminary, and highly valued by St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press (SVS Press) for his expertise.

Dr. Gythiel's faith, historical training, and familiarity with 13 languages made him uniquely suited for the difficult work of translating theological-historical works about Eastern Christianity. Fourteen of his translated books were published since 1985. Some of his well-known SVS Press translations have included: Dragon's Wine and Angel's Bread, by Gabriel Bunge; Despondency: The Spiritual Teaching of Evagrius Ponticus on Acedia, by Gabriel Bunge; Woman and the Salvation of the World: A Christian Anthropology on the Charisms of Women, by Paul Evdokimov; and Theology of the Icon, by Leonid Ouspensky

Services were held Monday, May 19th at St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral, Wichita, KS, followed by a graveside interment at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Preston, KS, on Tuesday, May 20th. Editor-in-Chief of SVS Press, The Rev. Dr. Benedict Churchill, attended the funeral on behalf of St. Vladimir's Seminary.

The seminary community expresses its deepest sympathy’s to Dr. Gythiel’s wife, Dana. Memory Eternal.

Alumnus Installed as Bishop of Eastern Pennsylvania

“Love comes first in our church life, and foremost—love for Christ,” said the newly installed bishop in his remarks. His Grace received his Masters of Divinity degree from St. Vladimir’s over twenty years ago, submitting his thesis on “The Formation of the Canon of Scripture.”

Chancellor/CEO The Very Dr. Chad Hatfield, who attended the celebratory banquet for His Grace, noted, “I was deeply impressed with Bishop Mark's banquet remarks, which revealed his clear understanding of the missiological challenge that lies ahead for his diocese. He spoke well of his SVOTS formation, recalling words from both Fr. John Meyendorff and Fr. Alexander Schmemann.  I look forward to working with him as he takes up his archpastoral role in Eastern Pennsylvania.”

View the Cathedral’s photo gallery and the story and gallery on the OCA Website

Banquet photos by Anastasia Hanney 

Busy Month for Professor of Canon Law

From the end of April to mid-May, seminary faculty member The Very Rev. Alexander Rentel participated in three different events regarding Canon Law, in his capacities as assistant professor of Canon Law and Byzantine Studies at St. Vladimir’s Seminary and as secretary of the Statute Revision Task Force of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). His work at the three events exhibited the range of his expertise and experience—from academic support to careful consideration of the pastoral application of the canonical tradition. 

From April 22–25, he met with the Statute Revision Task Force at the Dormition of the Mother of God Orthodox Monastery, Rives Junction, Michigan, under the presidency of His Eminence Archbishop Nathanael of the Romanian Episcopate, OCA. At their Spring 2013 meeting, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the OCA had charged the Task Force with a revision of the OCA Statute, and the Task Force had met once before, in Phoenix, Arizona, to initiate that work. At this more recent meeting, the Task Force continued the painstaking work of reviewing and revising the current statute. 

Father Alexander remarked, “Such work poses enormous challenges, not the least of which is how to articulate canonical concepts in statutory language. For example, how do you define a parish in a way that satisfies the Church’s understanding and legal expectations?” 

Then, on May 6, Fr. Alexander traveled to Sweden to participate in a final dissertation seminar at the Center for Theology and Religious Studies, Lund University, which centered upon a thesis by Ph.D. candidate David Heith-Stadte, “The Rudder of the Church: An Eighteenth Century Greek Orthodox Theology of Canon Law.” Father Alexander served as an outside reader and examiner for the dissertation, which considered the great canonical compilation of St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite, The Pedalion, or, The Rudder. The two-hour long seminar was convened by Mr. Heith-Stadte’s advisor, Prof. Stephen Borgehammar, and it included other students and recent graduates from the Center. 

“David has already done wonderful work,” said Fr. Alexander, “in placing the compilation of The Rudder in its contemporary context, which has enabled him to uncover and explain the theological presuppositions of St. Nikodemos.” 

“Mr. Heith-Stadte’s next step will be to revise his dissertation further, publish it in a limited edition, and then make a public defense, where those who acquire a copy of his published text can also attend and ask questions,” explained Fr. Alexander.

From Sweden, Fr. Alexander traveled to Volos, Greece to participate in an international conference entitled, “Orthodox Canonical Tradition and Contemporary Challenges,” held at the Thessalia Conference Center, in Melissatika, May 8–11. While there, Fr. Alexander presented a paper, “Thoughts on the Canonicity and the Ecclesial Status of non-Orthodox Churches from the Perspective of the Canonical Tradition”; he also had the opportunity to greet The Rev. Gregory Edwards, newly appointed sessional professor in St. Vladimir’s Doctor of Ministry program, and parish priest in the Diocese of Volos.

Organized by the Volos Academy for Theological Studies, and under the leadership of Dr. Pantelis Kalaitzides, director of the Academy, together with the staff of the Academy, the conference dealt with a number of canonical issues in the modern world, including the interpretation and application of the canons. His Eminence, The Most Reverend John (Zizioulas), Metropolitan of Pergamon, opened the conference and conveyed the greetings of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. His Eminence, The Most Reverend Ignatius, Metropolitan of Volos and Dimitriades, in whose diocese the conference was held, attended most of the sessions and frequently contributed to the lively comments after presentations. 

The conference also was notable for its international participation of canonists and scholars. Among the leading modern scholars were Dr. Spyridon Troianos, The Rev. Grigorios Papathomas, Dr. Theodore Yangou, Dr. Vlassios Pheidas, and Dr. Ioannis Konidaris. 

View Fr. Alexander's presentation in Volos, Greece 

Subscribe to