Fr. Kishkovsky delivers annual Fr. Alexander Schmemann Lecture

The Very Rev. Leonid Kishkovsky delivers the 22nd Annual Fr. Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Crestwood, NY.

CRESTWOOD, NY — Over 120 faculty members, student, and guests attended the 22nd annual Father Alexander Schmemann Lecture at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary here Sunday, January 30, 2005. The lecture, “Orthodoxy Today: Tradition or Traditionalism,” was delivered by the Very Rev. Leonid Kishkovsky, Assistant to the Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America for External Affairs and Interchurch Relations.

The lecture coincided with the celebration of the Feast of the Three Hierarchs, the patronal feast of the seminary’s chapel.

Father Kishkovsky pointed out that both “traditionalists” and other Orthodox Christians alike are committed to living according to the Church’s tradition. Those who label themselves “traditionalists,” whether they are a part of the canonical Church or non-canonical groups, typically display opposition to “ecumenism,” certain liturgical practices including but not limited to the frequent reception of the Eucharist, and objection to the use of the Revised Julian Calendar. While in the sense that all are called to be faithful to Holy Tradition, preaching an ideology of “traditionalism” can lead to a kind of idolatry, impeding the expression of the Church’s living faith.

On the other hand, Father Kishkovsky continued, traditionalist’s concerns are prompted by problems that genuinely trouble today’s Church, such as secularism and the compartmentalization of faith as only one component a secular lifestyle. He used as a reference point Father Alexander Schmemann’s essays on Orthodoxy in America (the canonical problem, the liturgical problem, and the spiritual problem), written 40 years ago, which addressed many of the same problems and conflicts between “traditionalists” and “reformers” within Orthodoxy. Father Kishkovsky pointed out in his lecture and the discussion that followed that while some things have improved since those essays were written, other things have stayed the same, or worsened.

Father Kiskhovsky’s lecture will be available soon on cassette from SVS Press.

In addition to his work for the OCA, Father Kishkovsky has vast experience serving the Church nationally and internationally through leadership in organizations such as SCOBA, IOCC, and the World Council of Churches. He is also rector of Our Lady of Kazan Church, Sea Cliff, NY.

Click here for the photos and for Fr. Kishkovsky’s lecture.