January 10, 2012 How did the saints and teachers of the Armenian Church make sense of the Badarak? Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Dean and Professor of Liturgical Studies, will teach a course entitled, "Patristic Commentaries on the Armenian Divine Liturgy" during the Spring semester. The weekly lectures will be open to the public and accessible to all via the Seminary's internet-based Global Classroom. The one-hour lectures will take place on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:00pm beginning Wednesday, January 18 and concluding in May. In his lectures, Fr. Daniel will discuss how Armenian Church fathers have interpreted the Badarak over the centuries. What insights into the Badarak do these saintly teachers have for us today? How can their wisdom and perspectives lead us to a richer, joyous experience of Christian worship? | V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan |
Texts from liturgical commentaries of such figures as Stepanos Siunetsi (8th c.), Khosrov Antsevatsi (10th c.), Nersess Lambronatsi (12th c.), Hovhannes Arjishetsi (14th c.) and Grigor Datevatsi (15th c.) will be examined. Several of these commentaries have been translated into English for the first time by Fr. Findikyan for the course.
"The challenge of meaningfully engaging the Badarak and being nourished by it is not a new one," Fr. Daniel said. "Our church fathers were well aware of its complexity and profundity. Their interpretations and insights--often including refreshingly down-to-earth advice--can be enormously helpful for those today who seek a deeper, more meaningful experience of Eucharistic worship," he said.
Those interested in participating in this course are welcome to attend the classes in person at the Seminary. Others may view the lectures live via the Global Classroom, accessible via a link on the Seminary's home page each Wednesday. Lectures will also be archived for later viewing on the St. Nersess channel at ustream.com.
For further information contact the Seminary at info@stnersess.edu.