International Conference on Liturgical Renewal
Orthodox Liturgy: Lessons from the Past, Conemporary Trends, and Opportunities
Written by Brother Stavros
left to right: Fr. Philip Zymaris, Professor of Liturgics, Fr. Alkiviadis Calivas Professor Emeritus of Liturgics, former Dean, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology Brother Stavros, New Skete |
Ten other papers were delivered,
including “Liturgical Renewal: Have We Missed the Boat? Half a Century of
Engagement and Praxis,” which Brother Stavros presented along
with slides. It documented and illustrated a test case for a reasoned and
organic implementation of liturgical renewal in the context of the
work and life of New Skete Monastery from its roots in the early 1960s and
through the past four decades of the 20th
century up to the present. Acknowledging reliance on the scholarship of others,
some of whom were part of this conference, the reform has passed through
several stages as the monastic communities themselves have striven for renewal,
for pastoral outreach, and for adaptation to a rapidly changing culture.
The slide presentation was centered on the Divine Liturgy as it currently
unfolds in Holy Wisdom church at New Skete.
Brother Stavros was happy to
renew contact with friends of the monastery at Holy Cross; its current dean,
the Rev. Dr. Thomas Fitzgerald (who has a New Skete Shepherd); the former dean
and Professor Emeritus of Liturgics, the Rev. Dr. Alkiviadis Calivas, and Dr.
Louis Patsavos, Professor Emeritus of Canon Law. Their association with New
Skete goes back several decades.
Two other presenters, the Rev.
Dr. Stefanos Alexopoulos, Assistant Professor of Liturgics in Athens and member
of the Commission for the Renewal of the Liturgy of the Church of Greece, and
Dr. John Klentos, Associate Professor at the Graduate Theological Union,
Berkley, California, both graduates of Holy Cross and Notre Dame, both made
their acquaintance with New Skete in their student days.
It was also an occasion to make
new friends, including the Rev. Dr. Philip Zymaris, Assistant Professor of
Liturgics at Holy Cross, who honored the work of New Skete in extending the
invitation to Brother Stavros. Father Philip addressed “Liturgical Renewal and
the Reception of Communion: Progress and Challenges.”
Brother Stavros and Ms. Christy Ma, presenter at conference and recent guest at New Skete, from Hong Kong |
Time does not afford the chance
to mention the several other papers, but we look forward to the publication of
the entire proceedings from Holy Cross Press before the year is out.
Finally, the seminary students
and staff [Nikki] extended utmost hospitality, and it was an honor to
join them for Divine Services each day, and the Eucharistic Liturgy on Saturday
morning.
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