St. Vladimir’s Seminary Summer Institute to be held June 25-30, 2006

The annual Saint Vladimir’s Seminary Summer Institute will be held on the school’s campus here June 25-30, 2006.

The theme of this year’s institute, “A Christian Ending to Our Life: The Mystery of Death,” will be explored through lectures, classes, discussions, and active involvement in daily worship.

The institute is open to clergy and laity of all ages who are interested in expanding their knowledge of the Church.

“Everyone speaks of death as something that concerns us all,” says Dr. Peter Bouteneff, SVS assistant professor in dogmatic theology and organizer of this year’s institute. “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.”

A full cycle of services in the seminary’s chapel is at the center of the activities that define this edifying week.

“The daily program allows for several different ways to participate in the institute,” according to Ms. Sofia Lopoukhine, SVS communications officer. “Participants may attend specific lectures and activities focused on liturgical music or theology and pastoral practice.”

Those in the liturgical music track will receive training in singing, conducting, and composition, and also attend lectures on such topics as “Interpreting Music for the Departed” and “Hymns of Saint John of Damascus.” Those in the theological and pastoral track will explore topics such as “Life and Death Today: Ethical Issues,” “Death in the Old and New Testament,” and “Legal Implications of Death: Wills and Living Wills.”

Participants in both tracks will also hear lectures by guest faculty, who include some of the most gifted scholars, practitioners, and writers in the Orthodox Church today, including David Bentley Hart, Father John Garvey, and Lila Kalinich.

A new feature being offered this year is an intensive 12 hour for-credit course, taught by Dr. Albert Rossi, on Christian counseling in relation to death and dying. Dr. Rossi, a clinical psychologist and seminary adjunct faculty member, will survey topics including the Orthodox vision of death, mourning, grief, suffering and pain management, children and death, suicide, euthanasia, etc.

Visit the “Events” section on the seminary web site at www.svots.edu for detailed information on the institute. A registration form is downloadable at www.svots.edu/files/2006institute/2006-registration.pdf. More information and registration forms are also available by contacting .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 914-961—8313.