Armenia is the land of saints, military heros, poets, artists, and philosophers.
This autumn, St. Nersess Seminary devotes four informal Monday evenings to the world of philosophical inquiry as ventured by three Armenian sages: St. Gregory the Illuminator and his school; Eznik; and David the Invincible Philosopher.
Professor Abraham Terian will inaugurate the series with the annual Bishop Zgon Der Hagopian Memorial Lecture, as he explores the philosophical ideas attributed to St. Gregory the Illuminator, founder not only of Armenian Christianity but also of Armenian philosophy.
In Good and Evil and Beyond, Professor Seta Dadoyan will look at the work of the fifth- century Armenian theologian Eznik, and the philosophical context of his world view.
Professor Michael Papazian will further probe the cross-pollenization of faith and philosophy in Armenia by examining some works of the enigmatic figure known as David the Invincible.
In another perspective on this intellectual luminary, Professor Vigen Guroian will show how philosophy, iconography and music came together to make a key Armenian religious idea audible and visible.
At St. Nersess the Armenian Church's history, teachings, traditions and relevance are not topics reserved for clergy. Exploring where our Church came from, what it stands for, and what its task is today these are the business of every Armenian of good conscience.
Lectures are free and open to the public. For driving directions and other information, contact the Seminary at info@stnersess.edu or by telephone: (914) 636-2003.
Schedule of Lectures
Monday, September 25, 2006
Annual Bishop Zgon Der Hagopian Memorial Lecture
At the Roots of Armenian Philosophy
Abraham Terian
Professor of Armenian Patristics
St. Nersess Armenian Seminary
Monday, October 16, 2006
Good and Evil and Beyond: Eznik and Armenian Intellectual Culture
Seta Dadoyan
Professor of Cultural Studies, Philosophy and Art History
American University of Beirut
Monday, November 20, 2006
Armenian Christianity and the Commentaries on Aristotle of David the Invincible Philosopher
Michael Papazian
Associate Professor of Philosophy
Berry College
Mount Berry, GA
Monday, December 4, 2006
David the Invincible Philosopher and Armenian Christology
Vigen Guroian
Professor of Ethics and Theology
Loyola College, Baltimore, MD