Orthodox Education Day

Join us at this year’s Orthodox Education Day (OED) Online, Saturday, October 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT (7 a.m. to 1 p.m. PDT).

Attendance is free—we invite you to join us for one session, several sessions, or for all six!

Register to Attend

It's your chance to be a seminarian for a day—to listen to discussions by St. Vladimir's Seminary professors and other Orthodox scholars on a variety of  interesting topics in the fields of doctrine and spirituality, the Church Fathers, the reception of converts, canon law, liturgy, the sacred arts, and Christian leadership. You'll also have a chance to submit your own questions to our panel of scholars. *(You will be able to ask questions live, and you may also submit them in advance when you register.)

Don’t miss this once a year opportunity as Orthodox Education Day returns to its traditional fall season!

Schedule of Topics & Scholars

10am EDT/7am PDT

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Dr Peter Bouteneff 

10:05am EDT/7:05am PDT

Servant, Sacrifice, Shepherd, Leader: The Theology of Leadership

Dr Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie & Rev. Pdn Dr Peter Danilchick

Leaders today face enormous challenges, whether they are pastors in the church, supervisors in the workplace, or spouses and parents at home. True leadership begins not with the latest secular leadership techniques, but with spiritual transformation. What, then, does true leadership look like, and how do we go about living it out?

11am EDT/8am PDT

The Reception of Converts into The Orthodox Church

Very Rev. Dr Alexander Rentel & Very Rev. Grand Ecclesiarch Dr Aetios (Nikiforos)

In recent years, the different Orthodox Churches have seen a wonderful influx of new converts. These conversions have also raised questions regarding the method of receiving converts according to the tradition of the Church. During this session, two priests of the Church who are also scholars of canon law will address these important questions from the liturgical and the canonical tradition.

12pm EDT/9am PDT

Orthodox Doctrine & Spirituality: Thinking with the Fathers

Very Rev. Dr Bogdan Bucur  & Dr Georgiana Huian [Universität Bern]

The language in which the Church delineates its Orthodoxy seems full of abstract concepts and distinctions, related to substance, persons, essence, energies, natures… This language is, of course, the bread and butter of studious seminarians and of the more zealous catechumens or members of the Church. But what does all this have to do with the "life in Christ", the mystery of our transformation towards the glory of God's Kingdom? Hear how the Fathers of the Church help us see doctrine and spirituality as inextricably linked and mutually illuminating. 

1pm EDT/10am PDT

Welcoming Catechumens: Where Do We Go from Here?

Right Rev. Dr John (Abdalah) & Rev. Dn Dr Gregory Abdalah

An unprecedented number of inquirers and catechumens are coming through the doors of our parishes these days, many of them, in fact, young men. How can we as Orthodox faithful welcome and encourage them and what are some of the opportunities and challenges presented to the Church by this new wave of spiritual seekers?

2pm EDT/11am PDT

Rethinking Sacred Arts

Dr Peter Bouteneff & Dr Christina Maranci [Harvard University]

A discussion of foundational, often overlooked questions: What do we mean by “sacred arts”? Are there boundaries that delineate sacred from secular arts? Can an object be inherently holy, or does sacredness lie in its use? This session brings into dialogue the two co-editors of a new SVS Press volume that addresses these very questions.

3pm EDT/12pm PDT

Realities and Responses for Orthodox Church Music in North America Today

Rev. Dn Dr Harrison Basil Russin & Anastasia Kappanadze [St Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary] 

What is the current state of Orthodox Church music in North America? With a focus on the OCA, this discussion will address anecdotal and data-informed evaluations of the state of music; consider interventions which have been implemented in the past 10–15 years, such as the St Tikhon’s Music Residency and new publications; and express hopes and desires for the future.