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Summer Institute (Jun 25-30) |
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A Christian Ending to Our Life-
THE MYSTERY OF DEATH
Suffering
Dying daily
Decisions • Preparation
Resurrection
Victory
Everyone speaks of death as “something that concerns us all.” But do we all understand the same thing about death? A physician, a theologian and an insurance salesman will speak differently about death. And anyone’s perspective changes when they look at their own death or that of a loved one. Does death always refer to the end of biological life? How can that death be understood as a mercy or a gift of God or even as a victory?
At this year’s SVS Summer Institute participants will delve into questions such as:
• How does death affect our life?
• What meaning does death give to the rest of our life?
• What is our guide in questions about euthanasia and suicide?
• How does Scripture and the patristic and liturgical tradition inform our thinking about death?
• How do we live with and relate to people whose death is near, whether in hospitals or hospices, or in our homes?
• What images do the Orthodox prayers for burial and memorial place before us as we contemplate death?
• How do we discern God’s presence in death and in suffering?
These questions and more will be explored in a combination of lectures, small and large group discussions, and interactive workshops all within a context of daily worship and fellowship. During parts of the day, participants will divide into subsections geared to particular interests in music, pastoral practice, and other dimensions of church life.
Joining SVS Faculty members for the Institute are:
• Fr John Garvey, pastor, author of Death and the Rest of Our Life
• Dr David Bentley Hart, theologian, author of The Beauty of the Infinite, and The Doors of the Sea: Where Was God in the Tsunami?
• Dr Lila Kalinich, professor of clinical psychiatry
• Fr Sergei Glagolev, pastor and Church musician
During parts of the day, participants will divide into subsections geared to particular interests in music, pastoral practice, and other dimensions of church life. Fr Steven Belonick, and lawyer Anne Mackoul will offer practical workshops on pastoral and practical aspects of death and dying.
As a new feature this year, St Vladimir’s Seminary is also offering an intensive twelve-hour course, integrated into the Institute program but taken for credit, taught by Professor Albert Rossi, on Christian Counseling in relation to death and dying.
Consult the SVS website at www.svots.edu regularly for updates on schedule, speakers, and format. |
