From September 21-26, 2014, The Father Alexander Schmemann Professor of Liturgical Theology Dr. Paul Meyendorff traveled to Arad, Romania, to attend the 8th meeting of the International Working Group on Orthodox Theological Education. The group, which includes official representatives from most of the autocephalous Orthodox Churches, is tasked with assisting theological schools and faculties in raising academic standards and encouraging cooperation and exchange.
As Dr. Meyendorff, who represented both the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) and St. Vladimir's Seminary at the meeting, noted: "This is exactly the kind of work St. Vladimir's is trying to do in establishing the International Houses of Study. Orthodox theological education is enriched when Orthodox faculty members meet one another and work together."
In Arad, the group met first with the deans of all the theological schools in Romania, who were holding their biennial meeting. Afterwards, the participants met for a full day of fruitful discussion with the dean and professors of the theological faculty of the University of Arad. Attending the meeting as members of the group were two other SVOTS alumni: Fr. Rauno Pietarinen, representing the Orthodox Church of Finland and the coordinator of the group, and Andrey Gusev, representing the Russian Orthodox Church.
