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