January 7, 2022
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Dear Fathers and Friends,
Greetings, and best wishes for a blessed 2022
- In less than a week, we will gather for our 2021 Annual Meeting, on January 13-15, 2022: “Orthodoxy in a Pluralistic World.” This promises to be an enriching meeting, with an outstanding slate of presentations and panels, with distinguished presenters. If you have already registered, you will receive your zoom link a few days in advance of the meeting. Those of you who have not registered can easily register now: https://www.otsamerica.net/2021-annual-meeting/ All attendees must register. Registration is free to members current in their 2021 dues (which can also be paid when you register, if necessary).
- The Program for the Annual Meeting is attached to this newsletter. A quick look through the panels and presentations reveals a wide range of ways in which participants are addressing this year’s topic. There are panels dealing with ecumenical issues, others taking on modern science and our Orthodox faith, and still others that look to the ways people struggle with having faith in the modern world or how to practice that faith today. Papers show a similar diversity.
- The Florovsky Lecture, “‘Preserving the Fullness of Thy Church’: Fighting Fundamentalism, Defending Dialogue and Reclaiming Catholicity” is offered this year by the Very Rev. Dr. John J. Jillions. The lecture, held in conjunction with the OTSA annual meeting, will be on Friday evening, January 14, 2022, from 7:30-9:00 pm (EST). Attached to this email is the flyer for the lecture. Please post this and share widely.
- Registration for the Florovsky Lecture: The Florovsky lecture is free and open to the public, but all who attend must register in order to receive the zoom link for the lecture. Registration for the Florovsky lecture is separate from that of the general meeting. You can register now at https://www.otsamerica.net/rsvpmaker/2021-22-florovsky-lecture/
- OTSA Business Meeting: The agenda for the business meeting, the roster of provisional new members, and additional information will be sent next week to members registered for the meeting.We would like to bring your attention to two new matters that we will address at the annual business meeting (held on the afternoon of January 14, 2022, from 3:30-5:00 pm). These are:
- The proposal that we offer lifetime membership for members who have retired aged 70 years and over; this would be available for a modest one-time fee.
- A proposal that our next annual meeting be held in conjunction with the quadrennial IOTA conference planned for January 2023 in Volos, Greece.
- We are very pleased to share with you the honorary doctorate bestowed upon our distinguished member, Dr. Lewis Patsavos, Professor of Canon Law emeritus at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, by the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome. For more information on the conference of this “high and rare honor” on Dr. Patsavos, see https://www.hchc.edu/dr-lewis-patsavos-receives-honorary-doctorate/
Respectfully submitted,
Teva Regule, PhD, OTSA President
Helen Creticos Theodoropoulos, PhD, OTSA Secretary