Category: Study Days

Organized by the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies
Edmonton, Canada
5-7 July 2013

Poster   Brochure   Schedule

Plenary Sessions
The Spiritual Legacy of the Ukrainian Catholic Church
Rt. Rev. Dr. Andriy Chirovsky

The Liturgical Legacy of the Ukrainian Catholic Church
Very Rev. Dr. Peter Galadza

The Catechetical Legacy of the Ukrainian Catholic Church
Very Rev. Dr. Andrew Onuferko

Workshops
Going Deeper into the Spiritual Legacy of the Ukrainian Catholic Church
Rt. Rev. Dr. Andriy Chirovsky

Providing Spiritual Care for Young Families
Merrie Zubritsky

Stewardship and a Ministry of Welcome
Bishop David Motiuk & Ed Kostyshen

You Are God’s Masterpiece – Live the Image! A Talk for Youth 13-18
Rev. Teodosy Kraychuk

Finding God at the Movies A Talk for Youth 13-18
Rev. Stephen Wojcichowsky

Organized by the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies
Ottawa, Canada
30 June – 2 July 2012

• Brochure
• Registration Form
• Schedule
• Workshop Selection Form
• Plenary and Workshop Speakers, Summaries

Dear Friends of the Institute,

Please accept our warmest invitation to attend Sheptytsky Institute Study Days 2012 – An Eastern Christian Feast for the Mind and Heart – to be held from Saturday, June 30 to Monday, July 2, 2012 at Saint Paul University in Ottawa.   We will also be offering a Cantoring Workshop on Friday, June 29, 2012. As usual, two accredited courses (worth 3 credits each) will be offered from Wednesday, July 4 to Saturday, July 14.

The theme this year is: The Bible – A Timeless Text for Today? “Celebrating … Understanding … Living … the Word of God.” The Bible is central to all of Christian life. And yet, reading it can bring as many questions as answers.  Our Study Days will begin with an introduction to the place of the Scriptures in the Church’s life, and move on to reflect on some “difficult passages.”  How are we to understand the Book of Revelation?  What is to be made of Old Testament texts where God appears vindictive?  These, and many more questions will be discussed in the context of Eastern Christianity’s distinctive approach to biblical interpretation.

We have confirmed three plenary speakers who will be presenting this theme from different viewpoints.  The plenary speakers are Dr. Edith Humphrey (Professor, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and laywoman of the Antiochian Orthodox Church), Father Andrew Onuferko (holder of the Wynnyckyj Teaching and Research Fellowship at the Sheptytsky Institute in Saint Paul University and Ukrainian Catholic priest) and Father Andrea Spatafora (Dean of the Faculty of Theology at Saint Paul University and Roman Catholic priest).

We turn to you to assist us in advertising Study Days by sharing this information.  A vital way of helping us is through your promotion of the conference as you speak to the people you know.  Most importantly, please pray that the participants realize a fruitful outcome to their spiritual and intellectual seeking.

Thank you, in advance, for your good will, kindness and support. Hoping you accept our invitation, I am

Yours faithfully in Our Lord,

Father Stephen

Organized by the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies
Ottawa, Canada
15 – 18 July 2011

Brochure   Schedule   Review

Plenary Speakers
Relativism and Culture: Connections and Difference
Dr. Valerie Karras

Sentimentality Leads to the Gas Chamber: Emotivistic Relativism and the Slaughter of Innocents
Dr. Adam DeVille

Relativism, Tolerance, and Heresy: Negotiating the Waters
Dr. Peter Bouteneff

Workshops
“Public Work,” Private Meaning? (Re)Interpreting the Divine Liturgy in a Post-Modern Age
Dr. Brian Butcher

Concepts Plundered by Passions: Early Christian Teaching on the Struggle with Tempting Thoughts – Presentation PDF
Fr. Andriy Chirovsky

What Happened at Vatican II (1962-1965)? Why is it important for the Eastern Churches?
Dr. Catherine Clifford

The Jesus Prayer: Getting Centred and Gaining Peace
Fr. Lucien Coutu

All in the Family: Other Churches and Other Faiths
Fr. John Jillions

Orthodox Christian Responses to New Age “Spiritualities”
Fr. Maxym Lysack

Jesus and Muhammad: “Peace and Blessing Be Upon Them”?
Fr. Andrew Onuferko

Holiness Unites God’s People: Christian Formation in the Age of Relativism
Fr. Andrew Onuferko

The conference, “an Eastern Christian feast for the mind and heart,” explores how the Eastern perspective Gospel-centred and life-affirming path can nurture contemporary life in a Western milieu.

Organized by the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies
Ottawa, Canada
June 2009

Listen to audio file (MP3):

• Robert Taft – Sample 1
• Martha Shepherd – Sample 2
• Fr. John Behr – Sample 3

Over 200 Eastern and Western Christians, united by their quest for authentic spiritual life in Christ, were assisted by some of the best contemporary theologians from around the globe.

Fr. John Behr, Dean and Chancellor of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York, Archimandrite Robert Taft, S.J. of the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome and Martha Shepherd of the Madonna House Apostolate in Ottawa were this year’s plenary speakers at the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies at Saint Paul University in Ottawa.

Workshops leaders included Fr. Shenouda Boutros, Fr. Andriy Chirovsky, Fr. Peter Galadza, Fr. Roman Galadza, Presvitera Denise Jillions, Fr. John Jillions, Fr. Maksym Lysack, Presvitera Yvonne Lysack, Fr. Andrew Onuferko, Fr. Stephen Wojcichowsky, Presvitera Melita Mudri-Zubacz.

Fr. John’s presentation was a beautiful addition to his recently published book, The Mystery of Christ: Life in Death. Fr. Taft’s lecture on Liturgy as the source of authentic spirituality provided a truly inspiring and refreshing look at the Divine Service we attend every Sunday morning, so often forgetting its life-giving meaning. Martha Shepherd introduced the participants to the beauty and challenge of life in the spiritual desert as a remedy to the consumerist wilderness of the 21st century.

Organized by the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies
Ottawa, Canada
2-5 July 2008

“Eastern Liturgy in a Western World,” by Fr Peter Galadza

Review

From July 2 to 5 almost 200 people from as far away as San Diego and Lviv, Ukraine, participated in the first ever Study Days of the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies at Saint Paul University in Ottawa. Titled Eastern Liturgy in a Western World, the participants were treated to a program of lectures and workshops by renowned Orthodox and Eastern Catholic speakers. The Study Days also included Vespers, Matins and the Divine Liturgy as well as film presentations, a youth program and opportunities for fellowship.

Fr. Thomas Hopko, dean emeritus of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York presented the first plenary address, “Christian Doctrine in an Age of Relativism.” The highly-acclaimed dogmatic theologian stressed the holistic means needed to approach the truth. “I always counsel people, don’t even begin to ask theological questions until you have made an honest attempt to live the commandments, read all four gospels slowly at least three times and spend time in prayer and silence.” Hopko noted how truth is not a “what” but a “who” – Jesus Christ – and that only a preparatory purification can enable our minds to approach him.

The next day, Fr. Peter Galadza, Kule Family Professor of Liturgy at the Sheptytsky Institute, spoke on “Eastern Liturgy in a Western World.” In a trenchant analysis of North American culture and lifestyles, Fr. Galadza indicated how Eastern Christians can capitalize on positive aspects of western life to realize the potential of their traditional liturgies; but he also reflected on how consumerism, narcissism, and “entertainism” hinder the goal.

The noted Orthodox author and media personality, Frederica Mathewes-Green, spoke on the third Study Day on “Christian Morality in a Post-Christian Age.” Presvitera Mathewes-Green analyzed the influence of films – beginning with the era of silent movies – in transforming our sense of right and wrong. She noted that Christians need not succumb to a sense of inevitable decline. “In the 1940’s and 50’s adultery and drunkenness were valorized as ‘necessary’ and comical respectively. Today, in spite of moral decline in other areas, the man who cheats on his wife, or the individual who does stupid things while drunk is not treated sympathetically in movies.” Mathewes-Green suggested that Christians can work effectively to change sensibilities in other areas of morality.

Fr. Andriy Chirovsky, Peter and Doris Kule Professor of Theology and Spirituality at the Institute, capped the four-day event with an inspiring, brilliant and humorous reflection on evangelization. He noted how the small size of many Eastern Christian parishes can be turned to advantage. “People can actually get to know one another well in such small communities. We also need to overcome our inferiority complexes and see the treasures that can – and do – attract outsiders to our churches,” said Fr. Andriy.

All of the morning plenary addresses were followed every afternoon by smaller workshops by specialists in other areas of Eastern Christian thought and life. To feature the outstanding teaching personnel of the Sheptytsky Institute, the organizing committee invited Frs. John Jillions, Andrew Onuferko, Maxym Lysack and Stephen Wojcichowsky – all full-time or sessional lecturers at the Institute – to lead workshops on pastoral theology, scripture, spirituality, and social justice respectively. Out-of-town workshop presenters included Lesya Sabada Nahachewsky from Saskatoon, who presented her newly-released book on the Melkite Archbishop Joseph Raya and his efforts for reconciliation in the Middle East. Irene Galadza from Brampton spoke on catechesis. She highlighted the popular “Generations of Faith” program, noted for its adaptability to different kinds of communities – small and/or aging included. The evenings were devoted to a guided screening of the excellent DVDs on the sacraments by Sr. Ann Laszok, OSBM, their producer.

Topping off the workshop schedule was cantor training. Melita Mudri-Zubacz of Winnipeg and Fr. Roman Galadza of Brampton taught advanced and beginner groups respectively. Presvitera Melita focused on the resurrectional tones and Fr. Roman taught the common chants of the Divine Liturgy. The participants then had an opportunity to apply their knowledge at the daily Study Days liturgical services.

A particular feature of this family-friendly event was the youth program, coordinated by Lisa Hladio of Western Pennsylvania. Over 30 youth from the ages of 5 to 15 spent their mornings and afternoons learning the Word of God through prayer, Bible readings, skits, games, songs and crafts. The adult participants were regaled with their enthusiastic learnings at the Friday evening community supper as they sang a number of songs they had learned during the week.

Reaction to Study Days as a whole was exuberant. Most of the participants voiced a desire to return next year, and tentatively the next Study Days are planned for July 2 to 4, 2009 in Ottawa.

Comments on Study Days

• A wonderful experience!
• Liked the mixture of traditions – Eastern and Western Catholic and Orthodox of various jurisdictions.
• An excellent facility and overall experience.
• All the presenters were very well prepared and articulate. My two favourites were Presvitera Mathewes-Green and Fr. Andriy Chirovsky.
• What I liked most was the fellowship, friendliness, approachability of everyone – the Spirit.
• My son didn’t want the youth program to end because he was having so much fun.
• What I liked best was the opportunity to come together with fellow Eastern Christians and other Christian brothers and sisters to share and deepen our faith in Jesus Christ.
• Study Days was spiritually enlightening. It was a chance to meet with other Byzantine Christians that we had heard of before.
• I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to attend and to find out more about what is offered here.
• I will encourage our parishioners to take holidays at this time next year and come to Ottawa for Study Days.
• I loved praying, studying and having time to be together.
• The enthusiasm and the authenticity and firm belief of the speakers was truly inspiring as well as the frankness of their presentation.
• Thank you to all for all your hard work and effort in making these study days an experience I will never forget.