Symposium on the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed held

(basilica.ro) - From 1-2 November the International Symposium entitled “Nicene – Constantinopolitan – History Creed, Theology and Spirituality” was held at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology of Bucharest. Theology professors from the country and abroad emphasized the importance of the Orthodox Creed in the history of Christianity for two days time.

Significance of the Body in Orthodoxy

The event ended today, 2 November 2010, through the launching of the book entitled “Significance of the Body in Orthodoxy”, by the French theologian Jean-Claude Larchet, in the presence of His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church. If you have not read any books from Jean-Claude Larchet, I encourage you to do so. I'm currently reading his Theology of Illness and enjoying it quite a bit. He goes back to the Fathers will all of his findings and doesn't shy away from the contradictions they have with one another. You don't come away confused by this, however, but have a more firm understanding of the nuances in the arguments he presents.

The Patriarch of Romania expressed his joy for the fact that the author publishes theological works.

“We are glad that Mr. Jean-Claud Larchet accepted to continue to publish books of theology and spirituality and present, at the same time, Orthodoxy, as a Church both old and very topical. This presentation of the relation between body and soul, on one hand, and of the relation of the integral human, body and soul, with God, on the other hand, shows us the vocation of the human being. It is really an admirable presentation in deep theological connections”, said His Beatitude.

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel also emphasized the relation between body and soul before, and after death, respectively, a relationship identified in the work of the French writer alike.

“There are lots of aspects that call us to theological deepening. It is a prophetism of the resurrected body given to us as a foretaste. When Father Stăniloae speaks about the relationship between body and soul he says that if in this earthy world the soul is thought to be in the body and coming out of body at the death time, in the after life the body is present in the soul, while after death the material body of the human remains in the grave. But its shape, virtual aspect, and spirituality, become interior to the soul now. The same as in the life time the body has the soul in it, in heaven the soul has the spiritualized body in it”, also added His Beatitude.

Theologian Jean-Claud Larchet thanked, in his turn, the Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church for his presence at the launching of his book and for having presented it.

“Thank you very much, Your Beatitude for having come here as I know your time is very precious, and for having presented my book, and especially for the initiative to translate this book at one of the publishing houses of the Romanian Patriarchate. It is very important for me that the translation of my other books will occupy a church space with the blessing of Your Beatitude”, said the author of the book entitled “Significance of the Body in Orthodoxy”.