Archbishop of Canterbury to deliver Schmemann Lecture and receive honorary degree St. Vladimir’s

Posted by Kendall Harmon

On Saturday afternoon, January 30, 2010, The Most Rev. and Rt. Honorable Rowan Williams, archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Church of England, will deliver the annual Father Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. The archbishop will speak on the topic “Theology and the Contemplative Calling: The Image of Humanity in the Philokalia.”

St Vladimir’s Seminary will also confer upon the archbishop a Doctorate of Divinity honoris causa, in recognition of his contribution to the academic study of Eastern Orthodox theology and spirituality. The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr, dean of St. Vladimir’s, was examined for his own doctoral degree at Oxford University by the archbishop, then a professor of theology there.

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Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams • * Religion News & Commentary • Other Churches • Orthodox Church • * Theology • Seminary / Theological Education

7 Comments
Posted December 8, 2009 at 2:09 pm [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. Pageantmaster wrote:

My, he does get about.  What else is he up to in America I wonder?

December 8, 4:33 pm | [comment link]
2. azusa wrote:

Prob’ly not a consecration in LA…

December 8, 6:07 pm | [comment link]
3. seitz wrote:

John Behr is an outstanding scholar who has captured very well the use of the Bible in the Early Church, and esp the role/status of the Scriptures (OT). Way to Nicaea is an outstanding, clear work.

December 8, 6:37 pm | [comment link]
4. New Reformation Advocate wrote:

Dr. Seitz (#3),

That may be true, and this kind of academic honor is something that ++Rowan Williams may deserve as an academic theologian, not to mention the fact that it’s customary enough when there is a special tie between Dr. Behr and his Doktorfater, Dr. Williams.

But I still wish St. Vlad’s hadn’t decided to do it.  It sends the wrong message, as if ++RW’s behavior as ABoC had been exemplary or even acceptable, when it’s been neither.  Awarding ++RW an honorary degree gives the misleading impression that St. Vlad’s condones Cantaur’s egregious failure to defend Christian orthodoxy and orthodpraxis at the key point where it’s under attack in our time in the West. 

It was MUCH, much better when Metropolitan Jonah or the OCA spoke at the opening provincial assembly of the ACNA and offered to reseume ecumenical discussions with our small but growing part of Anglicanism in North America.

David Handy+

December 8, 8:46 pm | [comment link]
5. Nikolaus wrote:

Why in the name of all that is holy would St. Vlad’s do this????

December 8, 11:20 pm | [comment link]
6. Edith wrote:

I agree entirely with Fr. David.  Honorary doctorates from a Seminary do not simply respect the academic ability, but other qualities of the person so honored.  This act will easily be misunderstood as an Orthodox approval of the accomodations made for TEC and ACC, despite their refusal to hear the rest of the Anglican Communion.  It is unfortunate.

Edith M. Humphrey

December 31, 6:05 pm | [comment link]
7. New Reformation Advocate wrote:

A belated thanks to Dr. Humphrey for seconding my #4 above.  I was abstaining from blogging around Christmas while spending time with family out of town.  Since she has converted to Antiochan Orthodoxy herself, that ought to carry more weight than my protest as an Anglican. 

Best wishes, Edith.  And keep writing!
David Handy+

January 2, 4:46 pm | [comment link]
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