Brookline, MA - On June 6-7, 2002, the annual meeting of the Orthodox Theological Society of America (OTSA) took place on the campus of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. The theme of the meeting, Theological education in the 21st century, was addressed by pastors and educators from St Vladimirís, Holy Cross, St Nersess Armenian Seminary, and Marquette University. The meeting was co-chaired by OTSA president Dr Paul Meyendorff of St Vladimirís, and vice-president Dr Susan Ashbrook Harvey of Brown University.
John Erickson, dean-elect of St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary delivered the keynote address, "Traditions in Tension: Orthodox Theological Education in the 20th Century," reviewing what were often parallel traditions of Orthodox thought which arose in Russia and Greece, and especially in the emigration from those lands to the West.
The annual Fr Georges Florovsky Memorial Lecture was delivered on the evening of June 6 by SVS dean Fr Thomas Hopko. Fr. Tom spoke about the need today for theological schools to focus on being schools first and foremost, even as they seek to produce students who are pastorally and psychologically whole.
Fr Daniel Findykian, dean of St Nersess Armenian Seminary, spoke about teaching liturgy today, and was responded to by Fr Alkiviadis Calivas, long-time professor of liturgical theology at Holy Cross. Fr Eugen Pentiuc, who teaches scripture at Holy Cross, spoke on the teaching of scripture in the 21st century. Fr Alexander Golitzin of Marquette University used an autobiographical format to set out his discoveries of seemingly parallel lines of mystical theology, lines which in fact could be seen to converge within the thought of second-temple Judaic writings. He was responded to by Dr James Skedros, who teaches church history at Holy Cross. Dr Peter Bouteneff, Assistant Professor of Dogmatic Theology at St Vladimirís, spoke about teaching dogmatic theology in the 21st century. Setting out his impressions of the academic and spiritual climate of today, he pointed to the particular need for clarity, honesty and conciliarity in the elucidation and teaching of dogmatic theology.
Dr Albert Rossi, who teaches pastoral theology at St Vladimirís, spoke to the teaching of ethics, spirituality, pastoral theology. He spoke in particular of shaping todayís students for pastoral ministries, as well as the needs (and also pitfalls) of psychological counseling.
The meeting was attended by interested Christians from nearby areas as well as from New York, Houston and from the Greek Orthodox Theological Academy of Toronto. The sessions all featured lively discussion.
The meeting also re-elected the OTSA president and vice-president, together with treasurer Dr Anton Vrame. James Skedros was elected as secretary.
