New York, February 6, 2011
Since 1984, outstanding theologians and church leaders of today have been invited annually to give lectures in memory of this prominent theologian of the 20th century. Among them have been Protopresbyter Boris Bobrinskoy, dean of the St. Sergius Theological Institute in Paris, Metropolitan George (Khodr, Patriarchate of Antioch), Prof. Nikolai Lossky, Protopresbyter Vitaly Borovoy, Archbishop Demetrios of North America (Patriarchate of Constantinople), and Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware, Patriarchate of Constantinople). In 2010, the Schmemann Lecture was given by Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury.
This year the Schmemann Lecture was given by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Department for External Church Relations. He spoke on the Theology of the Icon in the Orthodox Church.
The DECR chairman was welcomed at the Seminar’s church of the Three Hierarchs by Metropolitan Jonah of All America and Canada, Bishop Melchizedek of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, Archpriest John Behr, dean of St Vladimir’s Seminary, and other church officials. Metropolitan Hilarion was accompanied by Archbishop Justinian of Naro-Fominsk, administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA.
The hierarchs proceeded from the church to the assembly hall were over 200 seminarians and professors were gathered. Among them were Bishop Cyril of Abydos (Patriarchate of Constantinople) and Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov, representative of the World Russian People’s Council at the UN.
Archpriest John Behr greeted the gathering on behalf of the faculty and introduced the audience to the theological and church diplomatic work of Metropolitan Hilarion.
The lecture was broadcast by the Ancient Faith Radio.
After the lecture, the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America and Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk attended Great Vespers at the seminary’s church.
Edited by Pravoslavie.ru/OrthoChristian.com