In association with our 75th Anniversary Celebration, St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary is pleased to present the 2013 St. Tikhon's Continuing Clergy Education Symposium to be held from Tuesday evening, June 18, through lunchtime on Thursday, June 20.

The list of speakers to be included in this year’s symposium includes:

 1)   "The Glory of Christ-Centered Marriage"  -- David Ford, Ph.D., Professor of Church History, St. Tikhon's Seminary.

A brief study of various Church Fathers and contemporary elders extolling the glory of Christ-centered marriage - especially in light of the various attacks on and increasing confusion about traditional marriage in our society as a whole.  In particular, we will undertake a close study of Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra's classic sermon entitled "Marriage: The Great Sacrament."  References will also be made to the Lives of the Married Saints.

 2)   "Transforming Psychological States into Spiritual Ones: Some Practical Advice from the Fathers"  --  Christopher Veniamin, D.Phil. (Oxon.), Professor of Patristics, St. Tikhon's Seminary

 The description: "How do we live as Christians? Or perhaps a better way of framing the question would be, How do we die every day as disciples of Christ in this broken world of ours? This presentation aims to give some practical advice on living the commandments of Christ, based on the theology of the Church Fathers. 

 3)  "Sanctify those who love the beauty of Thy house..."  -- Igumen Sergius (Bowyer), Abbot of St. Tikhon's Monastery and Interim Dean of St. Tikhon's Seminary

 Perspectives on Living the Liturgy: The course outcome is to have a renewed appreciation and love for the Divine Liturgy and Liturgical life of the Church with the understanding that it is the school whereby we are initiated into the mystery of eternal life. The lecture will focus on Biblical-Patristic sources to enlighten the listeners as to the centrality of the Church's Liturgical life while hopefully gaining a greater understanding of how they are the primary tool for the Church's outreach and evangelism.    

 4)  "Exorcism: A Current Perspective"  -- Archimandrite Athanasy, monk of St. Tikhon's Monastery

 The course will look at an overview of ancient and modern understandings of exorcism, the purpose of the exorcism prayers, how to discern case by case what issues might be affecting an individual's and when and when not to consider an exorcism, the importance of having recourse to the Bishop, and modern medicine, and resources for discernment and contextual applications.

 5)  "The Exploration and Development of the Ministry of Presence"  -- Archpriest John Kowalczyk, Senior Lecturer in Pastoral Practice, Director of Field Education, St. Tikhon's Seminary 

 The Ministry of Presence:  "When two or three are gathered in My name, I am in their midst" (Matt. 18:20).  The Orthodox pastor explores the "prayerful ministry of presence" with the application of the theology of the sanctification of time.  The presentation will aid the Orthodox pastor in navigating in difficult pastoral scenarios which will be found "outside his comfort zone."

 Courses:  Available for Clergy Continuing Education, approved by Fr. Ian Pac-Urar

 Dates:      June 18-20

 Cost:        $50 per person (This includes room and board.)

 This is a service provided by the faculty of St. Tikhon's Seminary, to facilitate the continuing education of clergy (priests and deacons), mandated by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America.