26 August, 2021
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Dear Fathers and Friends,
Greetings! We are pleased to share with you plans for the annual meeting, and other news.
ANNUAL MEETING: November 11-13, 2021. The theme for this year’s annual meeting is “Orthodoxy in a Pluralistic World.” Our location is the campus of Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, 50 Goddard Ave, Brookline, MA 02445. The meeting will be in hybrid format this year, allowing for both in-person and virtual attendance.
CALL FOR PAPERS AND PANELS (Deadline for Proposals: Sept. 30, 2021). This year’s annual theme of “Orthodoxy in a Pluralistic World,” allows for a wide range of interconnected topics, including mixed and inter-faith marriages, ecumenism, pluralism, secularism, racism, and the relation of science and religion. However, we also welcome papers on other topics, especially those of current concern. Requirements for proposals for both papers and panels include an abstract of less than 250 words and an abbreviated CV of the presenter(s). Presenters of papers have 20 minutes to give their paper and an additional 10 minutes for Q&A. The length of panels will be determined by the number of papers and the schedule of the meeting. Please send the proposals to the OTSA secretary, Helen Theodoropoulos, at secretary@otsamerica.org or helen60076@yahoo.com.
OTSA strives to facilitate vigorous and respectful analysis, dialogue and reflection among faithful Orthodox scholars. Indeed, this is the place best suited for this dialogue, and where it needs to happen. We welcome and encourage all our members to add their voice and insight, both in paper presentations and in the discussions that follow.Please note that, per HCHC policy, all in-person attendees must be fully vaccinated against the Coronavirus.
Travel Grants: OTSA can award up to 5 travel grants of up to $500 each to assist with travel to the annual meeting. We will prioritize speakers, young scholars, and those w/o funding. The deadline for application is 9/30/21. Please contact Teva (teva@mit.edu) or Helen (helen60076@yahoo.com)
Florovsky Lecture: We are very pleased to announce that the Florovsky Lecture this year will be offered by The Very Reverend Dr. John Jillions. (More information to follow in our next newsletter).
OTSA Small Grants: OTSA provides seed money and/or small grants for Orthodox initiatives. Through these grants, OTSA seeks to help and support the mission of Orthodox associations and initiatives with the greater purpose of building up the body of Christ. Applicants for a grant should provide a proposal, which includes a short description of the project/initiative (~300 words), information about the requesting organization, and the funding request amount. The deadline for application for grants for this year is September 30, 2021.
The Church and the Academy Blog: We continue to invite our members to address and explore issues of academic freedom through our Church and the Academy blog. Please send submissions (of approximately 1000 words) to Teva (teva@mit.edu)
Upcoming Conference notification: On November 22-26, a special conference devoted to the centennial of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad will take place in Belgrade and on line. This conference provides an opportunity for West to meet East: leading scholars in the field of the history of Russian ecclesiastical emigration will be presenting.
Dues Reminder: OTSA needs your support and commitment! Members who are not yet current in their dues can pay online. If for some reason you need to send a check instead of using PayPal, please send your check to Fr. Gabriel Rochelle, P.O Box 540, Mesilla NM 88046.
Recognizing that OTSA is blessed with longstanding members who are now retirees, the officers will propose at the next annual meeting a lifetime membership option of a one- time payment of $60.00 for retirees.
Recent Publications: (These contributions have recently come to our attention. If you have published a book recently as well, please let us know so we can inform our members.)
The most recent book by Fr. Michael Plekon has been published: Community as Church, Church as Community (Cascade Books). See an extensive interview with the author, including a link to his new book on Amazon.
The second volume from IOTA publications has been published: Natural Theology in the Eastern Orthodox Tradition, edited by David Bradshaw and Richard Swinburne. See more information about the publication, and an interview with the co-editors.
In Memoriam
Protopresbyter Leonid Kishkovsky, longtime Director of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA)’s Office of External Affairs and Interchurch Relations, fell asleep in the Lord on the evening of August 3, 2021. Fr. Leonid was among those who were crucial to the establishment and growth of the OCA, and his guidance and influence were significant and extensive. In addition to his work for the OCA, Fr. Leonid served the Church through leadership in organizations such as SCOBA, IOCC, and the World Council of Churches. He was also the long-serving rector of Our Lady of Kazan Church, Sea Cliff, NY.
May Fr. Leonid’s memory be eternal!
Matushka Tresja Denysenko, beloved wife of active OTSA member Deacon Nicholas Denysenko, who serves at Protection of the Virgin Mary Church, Merrillville, IN, fell asleep in the Lord unexpectedly on August 19, 2021. In her compassionate work as a disaster response expert with the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance Matushka Tresja worked tirelessly to provide for those in distress. Originally from Minnesota, Matushka Tresja is survived by her husband and daughter, as well as her mother and stepfather. We extend our prayers to Deacon Nick and his family. May Matushka Tresja’s memory be eternal!
Respectfully submitted,
Teva Regule, PhD, OTSA President
Helen Creticos Theodoropoulos, PhD, OTSA Secretary