OCA Hosts 2004 Evangelization Conference at St. Vladimir Seminary
Saint Vladimir Seminary here was the site of the 2004 Evangelization Conference, sponsored by the Orthodox Church in America’s Department of Evangelization August 30-September 1, 2004.
The conference theme was “Continuing the Mission of the North American Saints.”
The event officially opened with an address by Protopresbyter Robert S. Kondratick, OCA Chancellor. Subsequent speakers included the Rev. Vladimir Alexeev, the V. Rev. Joseph Hirsch, the Rev. Jonathon Ivanoff, the V. Rev. Joseph Lickwar, the V. Rev. John Pierce, the Rev. Thomas Soroka, the V. Rev. Matthew Tate, and the Rev. Eric George Tosi.
Topics addressed during the conference included revitalizing parish life, ministry within inner city and ethnic parishes, healing of divisions in parish communities, addressing the needs of parishes in declining demographic regions, establishing outreach programs in mission-oriented parishes, and building communities among parishioners of different backgrounds. Around 30 people, both clergy and lay workers, participated.
Even as the conference took place, students were beginning to return to the seminary for the start of the 2004 fall semester. Thus, the conference marked the end of a fruitful summer, in which numerous educational events, hosted by both the seminary and by the OCA, took place.
Saint Vladimir Seminary serves the Orthodox Church across all jurisdictions and functions as a center for theological education both through its academic programs and through special lectures, conferences, and symposia available to all throughout the year.