2009 Fr. Alexander Men Two-Day Conference

 

New Ways of Christian Witness

 

 

A Day of Scholarly Reflection

Saturday, August 8, 2009 (8:30am - 5:00pm)

Nyack College Manhattan Campus ($25)

 

 

An Evening of Artistic Expression

Sunday, August 9, 2009 (6:00pm - 9:00pm)

Union Theological Seminary ($10)

 

Aim

 This conference draws inspiration from the message and life of Fr. Alexander Men (1935-1990), Orthodox priest, apostolic missionary and teacher who in his death by assassination may be considered the last martyr of the Communist era. He was an architect of the renewal of Christianity in Russia but also for the world. In this spirit we will share together as Christians from many backgrounds looking to witness effectively for Christ in our day and in the time.

 

The aim of this year's conference is to examine new perspectives and paradigms of Christian witness for the 21^st century.

 

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A Day of Scholarly Reflection

Saturday, August 8, 2009 (8:30am - 5:00pm)

Nyack College Manhattan Campus ($25)

 

8:30pm           Registration

 

9:00am           Welcome

Dr. Michael G. Scales

President, Nyack College

 

Rt Rev. Bishop Seraphim Sigrist

Conference Chair

 

PLENARY SESSION 1

 

9:30am           Catholic, Evangelical and Charismatic: A New Witness to the Ancient Way

Rev. Dr. Joel Scandrett

 

The recent awakening of American evangelicals to Christian tradition, liturgy, and sacramental practice holds promise both for evangelical maturity and for ecumenical shalom. The presentation will examine the convergence within this movement of evangelical, catholic and charismatic streams of worship as a powerful witness both to the churches and to the world.

 

PLENARY SESSION 2

 

10:15am         The Prophetic Vision of Fr. Alexander Men and Mother Maria Skobtsova

Karina Cherniak

Fr. Alexander Men and Mother Maria Skobtsova (1891-1945) are generally regarded as two of the most influential prophetic voices of the 20^th century. This presentation will examine their lives and writings and provide insights for Christian witness from these prophetic voices.

 

11:00 am        Dr. Fernando Arzola Jr.

This presentation provides a theoretical and methodological framework toward understanding and developing a more holistic and prophetic model of Christian witness for youth and young adults.

 

11:45pm         Lunch

 

1:00pm          Workshops #1 (See Workshops List)

 

2:00pm          Workshops #2 (See Workshops List)

 

 

PLENARY SESSION 3

 

3:15pm           The Two Alexanders in My Life: Reflections on Fr. Men and Fr. Schmemann

Rev. Michael Aksionov Meerson

Greatly influenced and baptized by Fr. Men and taught by Fr. Schmemann (1921-1983), Rev. Meerson will share intimate perspectives on their lives and vision.

 

4:00pm           Natalia L Trauberg: Translation as Christian Witness

Olga Bukhina

Natalia L. Trauberg (1928-2009) was a world renowned Russian translator and specialist in the works of С S. Lewis and G. K. Chesterton. This presentation will examine the Christian task of translation and its significance in Christian witness.

 

4;45pm           Closing Remarks

Rt. Rev. Bishop Seraphim Sigrist

 

 

 

An Evening of Artistic Expression

 

Sunday, August 9, 2009 (6:00pm - 9:00pm)

Union Theological Seminary ($10)

 

 

A Memoir of Fr. Men, Andrey Cherniak - Russia area director of Scripture Union

 

Considering Fr: Men, Rev. Michael Plekon - Priest and Sociologist; Author of Hidden Holiness, Living Icons and Tradition Alive: On the Church & the Christian Life in Our Time: Readings from the Eastern Church

 

Selections from Handel's Messiah, Natasha Lutov, Opera singer and long time coach at The Metropolitan Opera

 

Dramatic Reading, Peter Von Berg - Shakespearian stage actor with numerous film credits

 

Fr.  Men and the Arts, Dr. Sue Talley - Nyack College, Director of Department of Music, NYC

 

Performance by Nyack College Chorale

 

Fr. Men and John Henry Newman, Dr. Frank Palmer Purcell - Adjunct Professor, Financial Consultant, Contributing Editor of Choosing the Right college

 

Poetry Reading, Richard Dauenhauer - Former Poet Laureat of Alaska, author of Frames of Reference

 

Poetry Reading, Nora Marks Dauenhauer, Poet and translator; Author of Life Woven with Song and Russians in Tlingit America: The Battles of Sitka, 1802 and 1804

 

 

Supporters

•    The Patristic Society

•    Nyack College (www.nyack.edu)

•    Saint Mary Magdalen Orthodox Church (www.saintmarymagdalen.com)

•    The Orthodox Church of Christ the Savior (www.christthesaviornyc.org)

•    Saint Michael's Russian Catholic Church (www.stmichaelruscath.org)