“Hellenism & Orthodoxy” symposium generates Lively Discussion

Our “Hellenism & Orthodoxy” symposium, held on the seminary campus June 10–12, 2010, generated frank and lively discussion concerning the unity of, and relations between, Orthodox churches in North America. Conference speakers and participants respectfully wrestled with a myriad of sticky points related to the ecclesial structure of Orthodoxy on this continent: the interpretation of Canon 28, the definition of “diaspora,” ethnic identity, and especially, the autocephaly of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA).

Presenters at the symposium first explored the historical roots of Hellenism and then noted its lasting and profound effects on the cultural, linguistic, and canonical history of the Orthodox Church. Most intriguing were the keynote addresses given by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, titled “Hellenism and Orthodoxy: A Linguistic and Spiritual Journey,” and by Archimandrite Elpidophoros Lambriniadis, chief secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, titled “Greek Orthodoxy, the Ecumenical Patriarachate, and the Church in the USA.”

We invite our Web audience to read the cogent Opening Remarks of Dr. Peter C. Bouteneff, Associate Professor in Systematic Theology at St. Vladimir’s and conference organizer. We also invite our Web community to view the full schedule of the symposium and to listen to the Podcasts of the symposium on Orthodox Christian Network, http://www.myocn.net/.

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