Timely Summer Conference to be held at St. Vlad's

(SVS) - Recent exchanges of views about Orthodoxy in America, the role of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and the forthcoming pan-Orthodox sessions that will deliberate about the “diaspora,” emphasize how vital it is to reflect upon events that shaped the current landscape. As a foundational part of its mission, St. Vladimir's Seminary is a venue where controversial topics can be discussed openly and freely. All are invited!

Noting the importance of this summer conference for the future of American Orthodoxy, generous underwriters have made it possible for SVS to announce that the posted fees for the conference are being reduced by 50%.

From June 18–20, 2009 the seminary will host a summer conference titled, “The Council and the Tomos: Twentieth-century Landmarks towards a Twenty-first-century Church.” Conference speakers will focus on two watersheds that have shaped the Orthodox Church in America (OCA): the All-Russian Council (Sobor) of 1917–18 and the Tomos of Autocephaly granted in 1970 by the Russian Orthodox Church to its daughter church, the Orthodox Church in America, then known as the “North American Diocese.” The conference will address the significance of the OCA’s presence in North America, and future paths and possibilities open to it, including its interface with the multi-jurisdictional Orthodox Christian communities in the U.S. and Canada.

The Very Rev. Alexander Garklavs, Chancellor of the OCA, will deliver a free public lecture at 7:30 p.m. on June 18, 2009 to commence the summer conference.

Questions about the summer conference may be addressed to events@svots.edu