Divine Compassion and Women of the Church: Theological Perspectives Conference to Take Place at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology June 20-21, 2014
May 7, 2014
Divine Compassion and Women of the Church: Theological Perspectives is the theme for the second in a series of conferences to take place at HCHC June 20 & 21, 2014.The Conference Opens Friday evening June 20th at 7pm with honored guest speakers followed by an opening reception at the Maliotis Center on the HCHC campus.
“It is very gratifying for us to be co-sponsoring this conference with the Metropolis of Boston and Saint Catherine’s Vision. We are delighted and honored that His Eminence, Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia will be delivering the keynote address engaging the theme, ‘Divine Compassion and the Ministry of Women in the Church,’ stated Professor James Skedros, Interim Dean of Holy Cross.
“Truly, it is our joy and privilege to welcome into our midst, His Eminence Metropolitan Kallistos. His love of Scripture and the Church Fathers, scholarly acumen, teaching, pastoral experience and writing (from which a great many have benefitted, including myself), have made him a unique witness and contributor to the life of the Church today. We welcome him to Boston with open arms and hearts!”
“Engaging this important topic through the lens of Divine Compassion, we believe, may inspire further theological and spiritual reflection in a number of other facets of Orthodox Christian life.”
“Divine Compassion, the “eleos” of God is Love Applied. Divine Compassion is at the very heart of what it means to be a human person and at the same time, what it means to be a member of the Church. There will be a specific focus during our two days together on how Divine Compassion influences the participation and ministry of women (and men!) within the life of the Church.” stated Dr. Kyriaki FitzGerald, Adjunct Professor of Theology at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and Director of Saint Catherine’s Vision.
Saint Catherine’s Vision is an association of women theologians and other lay servant-leaders, blessed by the Canonical Assembly of Orthodox Bishops in North and Central America. “We pray that Orthodox Christians, interested friends and persons in active service to the Church, especially, will make the time and join us,” stated Dr. FitzGerald.
The two day Conference will be held at the Maliotis Center on Hellenic College Holy Cross Campus presenting distinguished speakers who will highlight a select number of dimensions of theology, Church life, and human life, itself, regarding the “eleos”, the Compassion of God, from an Orthodox perspective.
Topics and speakers in the program are: Divine Compassion, as Incarnated Mercy: The Theotokos and Women Saints, by Dr. Despina Prassas and Iulia Curtright, Ph.D. cand.; Divine Compassion and the Healing of Relationships between ‘Adam and Eve’, Today, by Fr. Robert and Matushka Susan Arida; Encountering Divine Compassion through Everyday Relationships: Home, Community and the Workplace, Dr. George Stavros and Kh. Christina Reimann, M.A., M.Ed., CADA II; Encountering Divine Compassion: Women, Worship and Ministry, Dr. Fotini Kapsalis and Dr. Kyriaki FitzGerald. There is also a pre-conference seminar scheduled on Resilience in Lay Ministry from an Orthodox Perspective, offered by Pres. Athanasia Kostakis, M.Div., MSW, D.Min., cand..