Exciting, Or What?

Does this excite anyone else?

Nashotah House is hosting a conference on Anglican-Orthodox relations on October 8-10. Entitled, "In the Footsteps of Tikhon and Grafton," the conference will include presentations by scholars associated with Nashotah House and St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary. The conference will conclude with the signing of a Concordat between the two seminaries, like the covenant partnership that Nashotah House has had for several decades with Sacred Heart (Roman Catholic) Seminary. The Concordat commits the two seminaries to pray for each other, to further ecumenical relationships between members of the Anglican and Orthodox traditions, and to continue to work for the reunion of all faithful Christians.

I don't know about most of you, but growing up in a mainline evangelical church, I was never really taught anything about the beliefs of our Orthodox and Catholic brothers and sisters. At an evangelical college, I learned the distinctives of these traditions and how their practice differed from Protestant Christianity. It has been an interesting and delightful part of my adult journey to encounter faithful, commited believers from these other traditions, to read some of their works and to begin to realize how many of the basic elements of the Christian faith that we share!

Papa Rooster is planning to attend and enjoy lectures by his favorite Anglican and his favorite Orthodox professors. He has read so widely--of evangelical, Catholic and Orthodox theology--that he can really appreciate a conference like this!

One may think that it's a pretty narrow intersection of interests, but consider this: We have a new family that's been coming to Light of Christ, and the husband told me that one of the things that he loved about our church is that he found people there that he could talk to about Orthodox theology, which is an interest of his. He said most places he tries to discuss this subject, people think he's either a heretic or he's trying to convert them, or they think he's about to convert and they try to talk him out of it. He said it was so refreshing to talk with people who had actually read some Orthodox theology and could discuss it intelligently and objectively!

So although I doubt I'd enjoy this conference that much if I went--most of it would doubtless be over my head--I'm a fan. I'm excited by the Concordat between these two seminaries, and I'm becoming more and more interested in "the reunion of all faithful Christians" and in efforts like this one toward that end.

For all who fear God and believe in you, Lord Christ,

that our divisions may cease and that all may be one

as you and the Father are one,
we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.

(from The Book of Common Prayer, Litany for Ordinations)