MASI Study Days 2022

MASI Study Days: July 15-17, 2022

Drinking from the Hidden Fountain: Thinking and Living with the Patristic Heritage

At the heart of the Eastern Christian tradition is the first millennium of Christianity. This period, its figures, and its controversies determine the theology, worship, and spirituality that Eastern Christians are submerged in today. MASI’s 2022 Study Days dives deep into this wellspring and offers a community of prayer and fellowship guided by these sacred texts under the direction of world class speakers and scholars of Early Christianity.

Keynote Speakers:

Rev. Dr. John Behr, University of Aberdeen

“Reason Persuading Necessity: Gregory of Nyssa on the Human Being”

Fr. John Behr is the Regius Professor of Humanity at the University of Aberdeen. He previously taught at St Vladimir’s Seminary, where he served as Dean from 2007-17, His early work focused on Christian Anthropology in Irenaeus of Lyons and Clement of Alexandria (OUP 2000). He is writing a series of books on “The Formation of Christian Theology”, two volumes of which have already appeared: vol. 1, The Way to Nicaea (SVS Press 2001) and vol. 2 The Nicene Faith (SVS Press 2003). He is the author of a full study of St Irenaeus: St Irenaeus of Lyons: Identifying Christianity (OUP, 2013). He has completed a new critical edition and translation of Origen’s On First Principles, together with an extensive introduction, for OUP (2017), and John the Theologian and His Paschal Gospel: A Prologue to Theology (OUP 2019). He is currently working on a new edition of the works of Irenaeus for OUP.

Professor Lewis Ayres, Durham University

“Justinian’s vision of Christ: necessary for orthodoxy today?”

Lewis Ayres is Professor of Catholic and Historical Theology at the University of Durham, UK. He previously taught at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University. He was also a Distinguished Fellow of the Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study (2014-2015). Among his books are Nicaea and Its Legacy (Oxford 2004/6) and Augustine and the Trinity (Cambridge 2010/14).  He is currently working on a book entitled As It Is Written: Ancient Literary Criticism, Hellenization and the Rise of Scripture 150-250 for Princeton University Press.

REGISTRATION: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sheptytsky-institute-study-days-tickets-348079042787 

Early bird registration extended until June 17, 2022

A limited number of rooms are available at Victoria College, a short walk from USMC, at a reduced rate of $81.50 + HST for single occupancy and $109.00 + HST for double occupancy, including breakfast. Please email Tamara at tamara.wajda@utoronto.ca for more information by Friday, June 3, 2022. Registration does not include accommodations but does include lunch and dinner on Saturday July 16 and brunch on Sunday July 17.

Study Days Poster: Study Days 2022 Poster

Study Days Brochure: Study Days Brochure

Study Days Schedule:

Friday, JULY 15:

14:00-18:00: Registration

18:30 Vespers

19:30 Reception and Keynote:

Fr. John Behr:    “Reason Persuading Necessity: Gregory of Nyssa on the Human Being”

Saturday, JULY 16:

7:00 a.m. Matins

7:45 Divine Liturgy

9:00 Breakfast

10:00-11:30 Workshop Session #1: Scripture

            Emily Barnum   “‘In Christ’: Learning How to Read Scripture with Ancient Christian Exegetes”

            Joshua Miller    “The Oneness of God and the Unity of Scripture in St. Irenaeus of Lyon”

11:30-12:00 Break

12:00 Keynote – Lewis Ayres “Justinian’s Vision of Christ: Necessary for Orthodoxy Today?”

13:00 Lunch

14:00-15:15 Workshop Session  #2

            Group A: Worship

            Cyril Kennedy    “Liturgy…without  The Liturgy?: The A-Liturgical Day in the Byzantine Rite”

            Brian Butcher    “I Sing therefore I am: Patristic Teaching on Liturgical Singing”

            Group B: Theology and Church

            Andrew Youssef “One Incarnate Nature: The (Un)intentionally Forgotten Christological Formula?”

            Natalya Schturyn The Mystical Organism: Unity and Diversity in the Eastern Tradition

15:15-15:30 Break

15:30-16:45 Workshops Session #3: Facing Contemporary Issues with the Fathers

            Group A:

            Robert Dodaro  “The Fathers on Capital Punishment”

            Aaron Ebert      “How to Live in Exile: St. Augustine on the Earthly City and the Politics of Pilgrimage”

            Group B:

            Marina Fanous  “When the Church Stops Being Church”

            Bohdan Hladio  “Oddocephalies: Politics and Polity in Eastern Orthodox Ecclesiology”

17:30 – Supper

19:00 Vigil

Sunday, JULY 17: 

9:00 Hours and Divine Liturgy, Keynote/Homilist, Fr. Andrew Summerson

11:00 Closing Brunch.

Summer course to follow Study Days: https://sheptytskyinstitute.ca/event/summer-intensive-course/