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Event Details

39th Annual Eastern Churches Seminar

Saturday, November 9, 2024

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

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About The Eastern Churches Seminar

Originally established as the Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar at the Notre Dame College, the seminar has been continuing for 39 years as a collaboration between Byzantine Catholic, Orthodox and Roman Catholic eparchies and dioceses as a free and public event. Upon the permanent closing of the College by the end of Spring 2024, ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳'s Theology and Religious Studies Department and the Tuohy Center for Interreligious Understanding have welcomed the Eastern Churches Seminar to its new home as of Fall 2024. 

The Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar is an annual dialogue between the clergy, bishops and laity of the Orthodox and Catholic churches in the Greater Cleveland area. It began with the shared vision of Fran Babic, former director of the Lifelong Learning Center at the Notre Dame College, and Notre Dame alumna the late Eleanor Malburg ’84, administrative assistant in the College’s Pastoral Ministry Office.

The program is open to all Christians—Eastern and Western Traditions—and to all those interested in deepening their understanding of the Eastern Churches. Clergy, deacons, religious, seminarians and the faithful of our Churches are especially encouraged to participate.

Theology and Religious Studies Department and the Tuohy Center for Interreligious Understanding at ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳, in collaboration with Orthodox, Byzantine and Roman Catholic churches, presents the annual Eastern Churches Seminar in its 39th year, with the hope that knowledge and ecumenical dialogue will lead to greater understanding and mutual respect.

The Eastern Churches Seminar planning committee, comprised of clergy and laity from the Orthodox, Byzantine Catholic and Roman Catholic traditions, seeks patrons to help defray seminar expenses. Donors contributing at least $100 will be listed on the patron page of the seminar program.

Past Lectures from 1985 to 2023

First Eastern Church Seminar

“Various Traditions & Theology of the Iconâ€

Rev. Thomas Loya, Rev. Diran Papazian, Frev. John Protopapas, Rev. Vladimir Berzonsky, Rev. Elias Ab-Sarkis

Sept. 13-14, 1985

Second Annual Eastern Church Seminar

“Liturgical Lifeâ€

Rev. Philip Khairallah, Rev. Terenig Kondralian, Rev. Vladimir Vancik

Sept. 20, 1986

Third Annual Eastern Church Seminar

“Eastern Spirituality as Life in the Trinityâ€

Rev. Robert Stephanopoulos, Fr. Hegumen Alexander, Rev. Michael J. Kail,

October 30- 31, 1987

Fourth Annual Eastern Church Seminar

“Meeting Christ in the Broader Perspective in the Oriental Orthodox & Catholic Traditionsâ€

Rev. Seely Beggiani, Rev. Mikhail Mikhail, Rev. Mr. Dmerjian, Rev. Joy

October 30, 1988

Fifth Annual Eastern Church Seminar

“Icons: Holy Image, Holy Spaceâ€

The Right Reverend Job, Dennis Bell

September 15-16, 1989

Notre Dame College and Cleveland Museum of Art

Sixth Annual Eastern Church Seminar

“Cracks in the Iron Curtain:  Challenges & Opportunities for the Eastern Churches in Eastern Europeâ€

Rev. Leonid Kishkovsky, Rev. Vladimir Berzonsky, Rev. Remus Grama, Dr. George Kulchytsky, Rev. Gregory Duma, Rev. Dennis Kristof

October 13, 1990

Seventh Annual Eastern Church Seminar

“The Church:  Visions and Divisionsâ€

Rev. Philip Khairallah, Dr. Joseph Kelly, Very Rev. Bishop Maximos, Rev. Vladimir Berzonsky, Rev. David Petras

October 11-12, 1991

Eighth Annual Eastern Church Seminar

“Moral Issues in the Eastern Tradition:  Focusing on the Contemporary Christian Familyâ€

Rev. John Breck and Lyn Breck

October 16-17, 1992 at Notre Dame College

Ninth Annual Eastern Church Seminar

“Monastic Spirituality: Principles and Practices for Every Christian’s Lifeâ€

Rev. Nicholas, Sr. Marina Bochnewich, OSBM, Rev. Marcos Marcos, Mother Michaila, Rev. Anthony Haglof, OCD.

October 15-16, 1993

Notre Dame College and Carmelite Monastery

Tenth Annual Eastern Church Seminar

“Eastern Catholic Churches and Christian Unityâ€

Thomas E. Bird, Rev. Robert J. Barringer, CSB, Bishop Nicholas J. Samra,

Bishop Vsevolod

October 28-29, 1994 at Notre Dame College

Eleventh Annual Eastern Church Seminar

“Feminine Dimension in the Life of the Churchâ€

Frances Babic, Rev. Seely Beggiani, Valerie Zahirsky, Lyn Breck

October 13-14, 1995 at Notre Dame College

Twelfth Annual Eastern Church Seminar

“Church Unity: At What Price?â€

Bishop Maximos, Fr. Ronald G. Roberson, Fr. David M. Petras,

Bishop Nicholas J. Samra

October 11-12, 1996

Notre Dame College

Thirteenth Annual Eastern Church Seminar

“Church Unity at What Price: The Oriental Orthodox Churchesâ€

Fr. John F. Long, S.J., Fr. Garabed Kochakian, Prof. John H. Erickson

October 10-11, 1997

St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church and Notre Dame College

Fourteenth Annual Eastern Church Seminar

“Mary, Mother of East & Westâ€

Fr. George Appleyard, Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Fr. Vladimir Berzonsky, Fr. Frederick Jelly

October 16-17, 1998

St. Elias Melkite Church and Notre Dame College

Fifteenth Annual Eastern Church Seminar

 “The Breath of the Spirit: Prayer, Worship and Artâ€

Fr. Raphael Biernacki, Mother Raphaela, Fr. David Petras, Fr. Thomas Loya

October 15-16, 1999

Holy Trinity Orthodox Church and Notre Dame College

Sixteenth Annual Eastern Church Seminar

“The Mystery of the Trinityâ€

Fr. Thomas Hopko, Bishop John Michael Botean, Dr. Abraham Terian

October 13-14, 2000

St. Helena Byzantine Catholic Church and Notre Dame College

Seventeenth Annual Eastern Church Seminar

“The Eucharist in Unity: Catholic-Orthodox Dialogueâ€

Prof. Timothy Patitsas, Prof. John H. Erickson, Fr. Michael G. Woost

October 12-13, 2001

St. Josaphat Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Cathedral and Notre Dame College

Eighteenth Annual Eastern Church Seminar

“Christians and Their Neighbors in the Holy Landâ€

Dr. Gabriel Habib,Rev. Paul Tarazi, Fr. Labib Kobti, Dr. Roberta R. Ervine

October 11-12, 2002

Byzantine Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and Notre Dame College

Nineteenth Annual Eastern Church Seminar

“Monasticism: The Quest for Godâ€

Msgr. George Appleyard, Fr. Michael Brunovsky, OSB, Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian, Ph.D., Brother Christopher

October 10-11, 2003

Notre Dame College and St. Andrew’s Abbey

Twentieth Annual Seminar, now the Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar

“The Holy Spirit: Source of Freedom and Unity in Our Worldâ€

Sister Marina Bocknewych, OSBM, Fr. Mikhail Mikhail, & Fr. Mark Latcovich

October 8-9, 2004

Holy Trinity Orthodox Church and Notre Dame College

Twenty-First Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar

“Mysticism:  The Experience of God in Today’s Worldâ€

Fr. Taras Kraychuk, Kevin Berger, Rev. Mother Gabriella Ursache, Fr. Michael Woost

October 7-8, 2005

St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Cathedral & Notre Dame College

Twenty-Second Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar

“Learning the Language of Iconsâ€

Nicholas Loya and Fr. Andrij Chirovsky

October 6-7, 2006

St. Stephen Byzantine Catholic Church & Notre Dame College

Twenty-Third Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar

“God, Glorious in Your Saintsâ€

Msgr. George Appleyard, Kyriaki Karidoyanes FitzGerald, Fr. Remus Grama,

& Fr. Michael Woost

October 5-6, 2007

Byzantine Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist & Notre Dame College

Twenty-Fourth Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar

“Marriage in Society:  East and West or Nowhereâ€

Fr. Vladimir Berzonsky, Valerie Zahirsky, Fr. Peter Galadza, & Bill Boomer

October 10-11, 2008

St. Gregory of Narek Aremenian Orthodox Church & Notre Dame College

Twenty-Fifth Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar

“Holy Communion:  You and I in Christâ€

Msgr. Paul McPartlan, Fr. Alexander Rentel, Fr. Daniel Findikiyan, & Fr. David Novak

October 9-10, 2009

Holy Trinity Orthodox Church & Notre Dame College

Twenty-Sixth Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar

“Orthodox and Catholics:  Together Yet Apartâ€

Fr. Ronald Roberson, Dr. Richard Schneider, Archpriest David Petras, & Fr. Joe Hilinski

October 8-9, 2010

Byzantine Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist & Notre Dame College

Twenty-Seventh Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar

“Ritual, Mystery, Holiness:  Beyond the Apparentâ€

Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Fr. Mark Latkovich, Archpriest David Petras, Rev. Hieromonk Calinic Berger

October 7-8, 2011

St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral & Notre Dame College

Twenty-Eighth Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar

“Sacred Space:  Speaking to the Heartâ€

Dr. Christina Maranci, Nicholas Loya, Archpriest Michael Butler, Fr. Robert Kropac

October 12-13, 2012

St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Orthodox Church & Notre Dame College

Twenty-Ninth Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar

“Alive in Christ:  The Witness of 20th Century Saintsâ€

Fr. Alexander Garklavs, Fr. Joseph Hilinski, Very Rev. Fr. Remus Grama

Oct. 11-12, 2013

Thirtieth Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar

“Icons: Witnesses to Christian Faith and Lifeâ€

Protopresbyter Fr. Thomas Hopko, Archpriest Garabed Kochakian, Fr. Thomas Loya

Oct. 10-11, 2014

Holy Trinity Orthodox Church & Notre Dame College

Thirty-first Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar

“Mary: Praised in Song of East and Westâ€

Marian Concert (Choirs of St. Theodosius Cathedral, St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic, and Mary Queen of Peace); Fr. Thomas FitzGerald, Fr. Michael Brunovsky, OSB

Oct. 16-17, 2015

Assumption Church & Notre Dame College

Thirty-second Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar

“ The Word, worship, and the Bibleâ€

Fr. Bogdan Bucur, Fr. Silviu Bunta, Fr. Andrew Summerson

Oct. 14-15, 2016

Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral & Notre Dame College

Thirty-third Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar

“Overshadowed by the Spirit: Saints Known and Unknownâ€

Fr. John Jillions, Fr. Christiaan Kappes, Dr. Adam DeVille

Oct. 13-14, 2017

St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Orthodox Church & Notre Dame College

Thirty-fourth Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar

Sr. Vassa Larin, PhD: “Timeless Christianity in a Changing Worldâ€

Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018

Notre Dame College: Regina Auditorium

Thirty-fifth Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar

Dr. Peter Bouteneff: “How to Be a Good Sinnerâ€

Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019

Notre Dame College: Great Room

Thirty-sixth Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar

Fr. Alexander Garklavs: “Eucharist in Art and Lifeâ€

Video-recorded at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church (Parma, OH) on Oct. 10, 2020

Virtual Presentation on YouTube; debuted on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020

Thirty-seventh Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar

Bishop John Michael Botean: “After the Deluge: What It Will Mean to Be Church in Post-pandemic Timesâ€

Video-recorded at The Cathedral of St. George (Canton, OH) on Oct. 16, 2021

Virtual Presentation on YouTube; debuted on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021

Thirty-eighth Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar

Frederica Mathewes-Green: “Praying the Jesus Prayerâ€

St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Cathedral (Cleveland, OH) on Oct. 28, 2023

Video-recorded; debuted on YouTube in November, 2023.