Bishop Kallistos [Ware] To Give Keynote At SVS Symposium on The Passion of Christ

St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Crestwood, NY.

CRESTWOOD, NY [SVS/OCA Communications] — His Grace, Bishop Kallistos [Ware] of Diokleia will be among the noted speakers as a symposium on the Passion of Christ hosted by Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary here April 3-4, 2005.

A renowned churchman, theologian, professor, and author, Bishop Kallistos is one of the most familiar Orthodox Christian personalities in the West. He is the author of such well-known books as “The Orthodox Church” and “The Orthodox Way,” and he served as a lecturer at the University of Oxford for 35 years. He is considered a pioneer in the area of Orthodox ecumenism, and is also known as a gifted pastor and spiritual guide.

“The Passion of Christ, His crucifixion and resurrection, is both the starting point and the central axis of the Christian faith and liturgical year,” says the Rev. John Behr, SVS professor of patristics, who also will speak at the symposium. “Taking up the Cross defines us as Christians, members of the Body of Christ.”

The seminar will open with Bishop Kallistos’ keynote address, “Patterns of Atonement: Five Models,” on Sunday, April 3, at 7:30 p.m.

On Monday morning, April 4 at 9:30 a.m., Prof. John Barnet, Prof. Richard Schneider, and Father Behr will deliver presentations titled “Why Was Jesus Crucified,” “In the Night in which He was Given Up,” and “The Cross as Icon,” respectively. After a lunch recess, Prof. Paul Meyendorff will speak on “The Unitary Celebration of Pascha” and the Rev. Alexander Rentel will deliver a presentation titled “The Passion and the Liturgy: Towards a Renewed Mystagogy.” The seminar will formally close with the celebration of Vespers at 5:00 p.m.

All seminar sessions will take place in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium in the Rangos Family Foundation Building. Bishop Kallistos’ Sunday evening keynote address is free and open to the public. Those interested in attending the Monday program are asked to register in advance. The registration fee is $25.00 if registered by March 30, and $30.00 on the day of the symposium.

To register, please download a registration form from www.svots.edu. Mail the completed form and a check or money order for $25.00 payable to Saint Vladimir’s Seminary to SVS Symposium on the Passion of Christ, 575 Scarsdale Rd., Crestwood, NY 10707. Registration is also possible by sending an e-mail to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with “Symposium on the Passion of Christ” in the subject line. Include the registrant’s name, address, daytime phone number, and e-mail address, and indicate which meals are desired on Monday. Those who register by e-mail are asked to mail their checks for $25.00 to the seminary or bring a check for $30.00 with them.

No on-campus lodging will be available. Special rates are available at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 66 Hale Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601. Call 914-682-0050 to make reservations. To receive the special $139.00 plus tax rate, mention the symposium to hotel personnel. Reservations must be made by March 6, to receive the special rate.

For more information, call 914-961-8313, ext. 363 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).