The Past and Future of Liturgical Theology: Celebrating the Legacy of Father Alexander Schmemann

Renowned liturgist The Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Robert F. Taft, S.J. will present the keynote address at an international academic symposium titled “The Past and Future of Liturgical Theology: Celebrating the Legacy of Father Alexander Schmemann,” to be held at St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS), from January 29–31, 2009.

The academic symposium, featuring preeminent theologians from Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant traditions from major universities, will honor The Very Rev. Alexander Schmemann (d. 1983), who served as dean of St. Vladimir’s Seminary for more than twenty years. Fr. Schmemann is best known for his writings on liturgy and sacramental life, which have influenced all branches of Christianity, in the practice of worship as well as in the academic realm.

Thursday 29 Jan
Vigil 6:30 p.m.

Friday 30 Jan
Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m.
Brunch 11:30 a.m.
Session I 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Initial Episcopal Remarks His Grace the Rt. Rev. Maxim (Vasiljevic), Bishop of the Western Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America (SOC)

Speaker 1 Dr. Michael Aune, "The Current State of Liturgical Theology: A Pluralism of Particularities"

Speaker 2 The Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Job (Getcha), "From Master to Disciple: The Notion of 'Liturgical Theology' in Father Kiprian Kern and Father Alexander Schmemann"

Vespers 5:00 p.m.
Dinner for Tenured Faculty / Guest Speakers
Public Schmemann Lecture 7:30 p.m.

The Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Robert Taft, "The Liturgical Enterprise Twenty-five Years after Alexander Schmemann (1921-1983): The Man and His Heritage"

Saturday 31 Jan
Session II 9 a.m.-noon

Speaker 3 Dr. Bryan D. Spinks, "From Liturgical Theology to Liturgical Theologies: Schmemann's Legacy in Western Churches"

Speaker 4 The Rev. Stefanos Alexopoulos, "Did the Work of Fr. Alexander Schmemann Influence Modern Greek Theological Thought? A Preliminary Assessment"

Lunch for Symposium Registrants noon

Session III 1:30 p.m.-4:30p.m.

Speaker 5 Sr. Vassa Larin, "Father Alexander Schmemann and Monasticism"

Speaker 6 Dr. David Fagerberg, "The Cost of Understanding Schmemann in the West"

Concluding Episcopal Remarks His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, Archbishop of Washington and New York and Metropolitan of All America and Canada, Orthodox Church in America (OCA)

Great Vespers 5:00 p.m.