Roundtable discussion held at Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary

Roundtable discussion dedicated to the 10th anniversary of adoption of the Basics of Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church” held at Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary

On April 15, at the blessing of Archbishop Anthony, Rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary, and under the auspices of the State Committee on Nationalities and Religions of Ukraine,  at the Church Archaeological Study of the Kyiv Theological Academy the roundtable discussion was held, dedicated to the 10th anniversary of adoption at the Jubilee Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church of the official ROC’s document “The Basics of the Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church”.  The purpose of the roundtable discussion was consideration of the outcomes and prospects of the 10-year activity of the document “The Basics of the Social Concept” of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Taking part in the roundtable discussion’s work were representatives of different state and public organizations. Among those attending were in particular the representatives of the National Kyiv Shevchenko University, the Institute of Philosophical Education and Science of National Pedagogical Dragomanov University, the Kyiv Theological Academy representatives and the representatives of the youth public organization “Youth association of religious scholars”. The organization board of the roundtable discussion included: Khromets V.L. – Cand. Sc. (Philosophy), vice director for social pedagogical work of the Institute of Philosophical Education and Science of National Pedagogical Dragomanov University; Vladychenko L.D.  – Cand. Sc. (Philosophy), chief specialist of the State Committee on Nationalities and Religions of Ukraine, associate professor of  the Cultural Studies Department  of the Institute of Philosophical Education and Science of National Pedagogical Dragomanov University, President of the  “Youth association of religious scholars” and archimandrite Klement Vecherya – vice-rector for academic work of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary.
The assembly was opened by Rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary Archbishop Anthony of Boryspil.  Addressing the participants of the roundtable meeting with a greeting word, the Most Reverend Rector commented on the importance of ‘the Basics of Social Concept of the Russian orthodox Church”, outlining the doctrine expounded in the Holy Scripture both for the believers and people outside of the Church fold.  At the end of the greeting word Archbishop Anthony wished the participants to work fruitfully.   

Delivering the report on “Conceptualization of the development of the church-state relations in search of the Social Concept of the ROC” was Candidate of Philosophy, Chair of the State Committee on Nationalities and Religions of Ukraine Reshetnikov Yu.E. The reporter  highlighted in detail one of the sections of the Social Concept, devoted to the state-church relations and expanded on some aspects of the state-church relations in Ukraine.  

The floor was also given to Chair of the Family Synodal Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Vicar of the Kyiv Metropolis, Bishop Panteleimon of Vasylkiv. The bishop delivered a report themed “Institute of Modern Family in the Social Concept of the ROC”. In his report Vlayka Panteleimon focused attention on the tenth section of the Basics of the Social Concept, dedicated to the institute of a modern family.  Proceeding from the provisions of the Social Concept, Vladyka spotlighted the topical issues of family and marriage, and analyzed the state of the problem under consideration in Ukraine.
Then, according to the procedure, speaking on the issue of ‘Reception of Social Concept of the ROC in Modern Theology” was vice-rector for academic work of the Kyiv Theological Schools archimandrite Klement Vecherya. In his report V.Rev. Klement considered in what way the official document of the Russian Orthodox Church was received by modern orthodox theological science.   

Presenting a report on the “Concept of Development of the Church-State Relations as interpreted by the Social Concept of the ROC” was Chair of the Synodal Department for Charity and Social Ministry, vice-rector for pedagogical work archdeacon Serhiy Kosovskyy. Grounding on the Basics of the Social Concept, in particular, on one of its sections, dedicated to church-state relations, the reporter expounded on the state-church relations and pointed out the difficulties emerging at a present stage.
Archpriest Hennadiy Batenko, Chair of the Mission “Church and Medicine” made a report themed “Realization of the ROC’s Social Concept in Spheres of Medicine and Bioethics”. Fr. Hennadiy made a profound analysis of each provision spelled out in the Basics of the Social Concept and dedicated to the section Church and medicine, following which he considered modern problems related with medicine and bioethics. 

Fenno Irina Nioleyavna, Magister of the Department for Religious Studies of the Philosophical Faculty of the Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University, made a report on “Ecological Issues in Context of Social Doctrine of the ROC”. The reporter focused attention on consideration of one of the provisions of the Basics of Social Concept, dedicated to ecological issues.  Upon completion of the roundtable discussion all the participants were thanked for active contribution to the roundtable meeting and consideration of the reports. 

Source: