Theological

Published by The National Herald, December 31, 2004

Orthodox Theological Schools Hold 6th International Congress in Bulgaria

By Rev. Dr. George D. Dragas
Special to The National Herald

Delegates representing faculty from more than 20 Orthodox theological schools and institutions all over the world recently participated in the Sixth International Congress of Orthodox Theological Faculties.

It was a significant event and development for several reasons, not the least of which is that it afforded Orthodox theologians from all over the world to evaluate the challenges facing Orthodoxy in a global age, particularly in non-Orthodox lands.

In the Diaspora, one is forced to reflect on his Orthodox tradition more seriously, as the foreign environment within which he resides and operates challenges him to compare his Eastern Orthodoxy to the Western traditions; to defend its integrity; and to try to formulate its responses to contemporary world developments, challenges and problems. Moreover, the Western context, being today quite dominant, exemplifies the main features of the contemporary world, which is marching with great speed to all lands across the globe, producing a cultural globalization unprecedented in human history.

The Congress commenced with a Doxology service this past fall at the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint Alexander Nevski in Sofia, Bulgaria.

His Holiness Patriarch Maxim of Bulgaria, assisted by several Metropolitans, led the Doxology. His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph of America, Canada and Australia also attended, together with guests and clergy from Alaska, and participated in the prayers at the service.

The service was attended by the delegates of the Sixth Orthodox Theological Congress, who came from the Faculty of Theology of the University of Sofia, and guest delegates and from various countries across the world: the United States, Russia, Greece, France, Serbia, the Ukraine, Mount Athos, Poland, Georgia, Albania, Lebanon, Israel, Great Britain, Romania, Switzerland, Slovakia, Finland, Germany, Byelorussia, Turkey (Constantinople) and Austria.

Among the most eminent guests were Metropolitan Ioannis (Zizioulas) of Pergamon, representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, Bishop Ilia of Philomelion, representing the Albanian Orthodox Church, and Bishop Ignatius Midich of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

After the Doxology, the opening forum of the Congress was held at the Hall of Ceremonies of the University of Sofia. "Orthodox Theology in the Modern World" was the theme.

"The Sixth Congress gathered in the city of the Lord’s Wisdom the bud of Orthodox theology," said Dr. Ivan Zhelev Dimitrov, head of the Congress Organizing Committee. "We want to use the wisdom of the past and the experience of the present to build the future of our nations and peoples."

Various Orthodox officials offered greetings. Metropolitan Zizioulas communicated greetings and blessings from His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, stressing that "We can not have theology without a Church, nor a Church without theology."

Professor Davidkov, Chair of the Common Assembly at the University of Sofia, delivered a welcoming note from Professor Boyan Biolchev, Rector of the University of Sofia, emphasizing that the forum was welcomed with both joy and interest as it offers potential solutions to problems which are a product of a contradictory world and globalization.

Bulgaria’s President, Georgi Parvanov, and Prime Minister, Simeon Sax-Coburg, and Professor Ognyan Gerdgikov, head of the Bulgarian National Assembly, all sent welcoming remarks.

Two speakers delivered keynote addresses. Rev. Dr. Nikolai Shivarov, Former Dean, developed the topic, "Orthodoxy in the World: Problems and Tasks," and myself: "Orthodox Theology in the Contemporary World."

The message we tried to emphasize was that Orthodox Theology has an important task to accomplish in the contemporary world, which is characterized by a defused and pluralist globalization.

The first session of the Congress began with a report from Professor Totiu Koev, participant in the II and IV congress, focused on modern questions concerning cremation, euthanasia, abortion, cloning, ecology and cohabitation without marriage as most recent and imperative problems which need to be urgently addressed. "The change in thinking of modern individuals is quite radical, and this is why problems have to be discussed from the perspective of the modern world. Orthodoxy as a whole has reacted in a certain way to popular issues, but it has not done so with the contemporary problems," he said.

Plenary sessions began with a report from Dr. Ivan Zhelev, who focused on the issue of lack of teachers at the theological institutions. The session continued with several reports. The Very Rev. Dr. Gregory Papathomas, representing St. Sergius Seminary in France, stressed the need for all Orthodox Theological Institutions (more than 20 in number) to participate in future European meetings.

Hieromonk Dr. Petar Ermeev, representing the Moscow Spiritual Academy, shed light on the problems encountering Orthodox theological education in Russia. Prof. Oikonomou spoke on "European Perspectives of Orthodox Theological Institutions" and analyzed the contemporary state of the Orthodox theological faculties, underscoring their need to change their administrative strategy in accordance with European educational policies.

Dr. Shivarov appealed for a joint effort and real unity among the separate Orthodox Theological Institutions and emphasized the need of exchange of information between them.

Dr. Traichev called on the participants not to be "simply judgmental and opinionated on the current situation," but to foster interrelations and work towards recognition of certificates between the Orthodox Theological Institutions. He suggested that the various faculties should establish an agency for mutual contacts. He also promised, as Dean, to pioneer this initiative in the Faculty of Theology at the University of Sofia.

Metropolitan Zizioulas aroused considerable interest and liveliness among Congress participants, stating that, "If the Church wants to speak to the world, it also has to listen to it," adding that "we can not self-define ourselves by opposing others, but can only do so through establishing a connection with them. The new realities, especially in the context of the European unity, require active cooperation with the heterodox and the other religions." The Metropolitan of Pergamon also stressed the need for revision in the theological educational itinerary regarding the insertion of modern problems such as bioethics and ecological ethics.

Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Clapsis, Dean of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, emphasized that theological education lacks sufficient criticism and argued that theological instruction has to be related to the church.

Metropolitan Gavriel of Lovech said, "The problem of communicating with one another arises only when we say one thing but do another. Accordingly, we should not forget that an Orthodox theologian is only he who lives the same way as he studies."

The next Session began with reports on particular Orthodox Theological Institutes. A Declaration, presented on behalf of the faculty of Orthodox Theology at the University of Munich, stated that this unique Orthodox Theological Institute in German-speaking countries is jeopardized with the possible closure. The participants in the forum acknowledged this declaration and unanimously supported a resolution for the preservation of the Orthodox Faculty at the University of Munich.

Dr. Nikolaou, representing the Orthodox Faculty in Munich, offered a report on Uniatism, citing the development of different concepts of Church unity; the beginning of proselytism among Orthodox Christians on the part of Latin missionaries; the problem relating to the Bulgarians and the events before 1054 as the first indication of the Great Schism; and the Schism and the official introduction in the model of Uniatism.

Hierei Alexander Bolonnikov, representing the Minsk Spiritual Academy, spoke on "Basic principles in the Interrelations between the Russian Orthodox Church with the non-Slavic World," which included a historical overview of the situation in the Russian Orthodox Church under totalitarianism; the consequences of the economic crisis; and the problem of proselytism on the part of heterodox missionaries.

Rev. Dr. Nikolaos Ioannidis (Faculty of Theology, University of Athens) spoke on "Orthodoxy in the United Europe."

Dr. A. Omarchevski (Theological Faculty, University of Sofia) spoke on the problem of including Christian values in the formation of the European Union’s constitution. He cited Chapter 1, Article 52 and the Preamble of the European Constitution, and discussed the process of its formulation, including the efforts of Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Christians to include a reference to the Christian heritage of Europe. Dr. Omarchevski also proposed that the Congress issue a statement expressing the common mind of the delegates on the issue concerning a reference to Europe’s Christian heritage and values in the EU Constitution.

Hieromonk K. Zenkovski (St. Petersburg Spiritual Academy) stated that "Even Europe will ask the question why Orthodox not united," and stressed the problem of divisions among Orthodox Christians themselves, which calls for spiritual soberness and attention in the process of recovering church unity. "As to the question concerning Orthodox theology," he said, "we should take care not to be mistaken as heretics, but we should also take care not to commit political errors. There is also a great need to guard the traditions of the Fathers of the Church," he added. "Theologians do not have to turn into gray cardinals who should attempt to control the Church."

Congressional delegates participated in a Divine Liturgy celebration at the ancient church of St. Sophia in Sofia. His Beatitude Patriarch Maxim of Bulgaria participated in the prayers and gave his blessing, while His Eminence Metropolitan Neofit of Ruse officiated the service. Bishop Ilias of Filomelion, representing the Albanian Orthodox Church, and the guest-clergy delegates also participated in the service, as did Metropolitans Kalinik of Vraca and Dometian of Vidin, and clergy from the Bulgarian capital.

After the service, it was announced that the next Congress will be held in Joensuu, Finland in June of 2006.

Among other things, the Sixth Congress declared that it is necessary to hold regular meetings in order to discuss current theological problems, underscoring that the coordination between different higher Orthodox theological schools and their local Orthodox Churches is of principal importance: "It is obvious that Theology can not be rightly pursued outside the Church, just as the Church can not be understood without Theology."

Specific problems at the regional level exist between local Orthodox Churches and theological schools, and these problems must be recognized and resolved in a spirit of cooperation between the theological Schools and the local Churches.

Congress delegates recognized that Orthodox Christians live in a new age, where the matters to be discussed are dictated by a new political and cultural reality, "and this is why must work together – on an Inter-Orthodox, as well as Inter-Confessional, Inter-Religious and Multi-Cultural level – in order to respond to the challenges of the new millennium."

The Congress resolved to elect a Standing Committee among delegates of the Sixth Congress to serve for two years, which will coordinate communication between the various theological schools.

The members of the Standing Committee are, Dr. Ivan Dimitrov, President of the Organizing Committee of the Sixth Congress in Sofia (Bulgaria); Dr. Christos Oikonomou, Dean of the Theological Faculty of Aristotle University (Greece); Rev. Dr. Vladan Perishic, Dean of the Theological Faculty of Belgrade University (Serbia); Prof. Dr. Petri Piiroinen, Department Chair of Orthodox Theology at Joensuu University (Finland); Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Clapsis, Dean of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline MA (U.S.); Archbishop Eugenyi of Verea, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy (Russia); and Rev. Dr. Nikolai Necula, Dean of the Orthodox Theological Faculty in Bucharest (Romania).

The Congress confirmed the need for a European orientation of higher orthodox theological schools and insisted on accepting the declarations (made in Berlin, Prague, Bologna and Paris) of the Ministers of Education of the EU’s member states.

Finally, in line with the above, the Congress resolved that a European Forum of Orthodox theological schools is established, which will be organized according to the January 26, 2004 protocol of the European Commission. The aim of the Forum will be to achieve coordination and effective cooperation between all theological schools in the EU and, in that way, to serve as a witness of Orthodoxy to European Institutions. The following Presidium was elected:

President, V. Rev. Dr. Archimandrite Grigorios Papathomas, Institute of Orthodox Theology in Paris (France); Vice President, Dr. Emile Traitchev, Faculty of Theology, St. Klement University of Sofia (Bulgaria); Secretary-General, Dr. Christophe D’ Aloisio, Director of the Center of Orthodox Theology in Brussels (Belgium); Treasurer, Dr. Radu Preda, Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Cluj-Npoca (Romania); Dr. Christos Oikonomou, Faculty of Theology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece).

The Congress recommended setting up a mechanism for coordinating operations among the various theological schools and that, in order to facilitate greater effectiveness, financial support must be sought from the local Orthodox Churches, private foundations, the EU and other organizations.

The Congress recommended exchange programs with of professors, lecturers, students, experience and activities between different Orthodox theological schools.

The publication of a pamphlet of general instructions from theological school Deans and Rectors of the Respective Universities was also recommended. This is to be accompanied by short lists of academic research, professor publications, as well as brief descriptions of the academic programs of each Orthodox Institution teaching Theology.

The Standing Committee of the Seventh Congress in Finland will handle collection of materials and publication of the above pamphlet.

The Congress also recommended that the Organizing Committee of the Sixth Congress and the Faculty of Theology of the University of Sofia take care of the publication of the Proceedings of the Sixth Congress in English.

In Conclusion, the Congress stressed that the Congresses of the Higher Orthodox Theological Schools continue to determine their future activities by constantly drawing upon Orthodox tradition and spirituality; the liturgical experience of the Church; and the treasures of Biblical and Patristic Theology as constituting fundamental axioms for the expression of the Orthodox witness in the contemporary world.

The Rev. Dr. Dragas is former Dean and Professor of Patrology at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. He served as Executive Secretary of the Sixth International Congress of Orthodox Theological Faculties.



Volume 7 Number 1 - Tuesday, January 4th, 2004	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY