After a hiatus of two years, St. Nersess Armenian Seminary (New Rochelle, NY) and St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary (Crestwood, NY) will resume their co-sponsored annual symposium on the relations between the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox Churches. This year's symposium will take place on Tuesday, April 1, 2003 at St. Vladimir's Seminary on the theme, Jerusalem: Does it Divide or Unite?
Since the time of Christ, Jerusalem has been a point of gravitation for Christians seeking a more authentic experience of the Gospel. The Oriental and Eastern Orthodox churches have an ancient presence in the Holy Land, and though long divided, have lived side-by-side in that unique religious environment for centuries. Today, the political turmoil and bloodshed in the Holy Land combined, however, with the growing tide of reconciliation between these ancient church families raises significant questions: What is the role of Jerusalem in the restoration of communion among the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches? What should be the role of the churches in restoring and supporting peace, welfare and renewed Christian witness in Jerusalem?
Featured speakers will include Serge Schmemann, Pulitzer Prize winning Senior Correspondent for the New York Times; Former U.S. Ambassador to Qatar, Patrick Theros; Dr. Tarek Mitri of the World Council of Churches; Fr. Leonid Kishkovsky, former General Secretary of the National Council of Churches; Fr. Alexander Rentel, Lecturer in Church History, St. Vladimir's Seminary; Dr. George Kiraz, Director of Beth-Mardutho: The Syriac Institute; and Archbishop Cyril Mor Aphrem Karim, of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, and others.
Representing St. Nersess Seminary will be Dr. Roberta Ervine, Associate Professor of Armenian Studies; and Dr. Abraham Terian, Professor of Armenian Patristics and Academic Dean. Both Drs. Ervine and Terian have lived and taught in the Old City of Jerusalem for decades and have first-hand experience of the complex relations between the Orthodox Christians of the Holy Land.
The all-day Symposium will begin at 10:00am in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium of St. Vladimir's, and will conclude with Evening Prayer in the Seminary chapel at 5:00pm. The symposium is open to the public. Registration is $20 and includes lunch. For more information, seehttp://www.svots.edu/Events/Symposia/2003-0401-eastern-oriental/index.html, info@stnersess.edu, or phone (914) 961-8313 x342.
Fr Daniel Findikyan
Dean
St Nersess Armenian Seminary
www.stnersess.edu