The Climacus Conference
Byzantium
You Are Not Forgotten
History • Culture • Theology • Iconography
Friday and Saturday:
February 24–25, 2012
Byzantium: East Christian Rome and Orthodox Bridge
William Weber Friday 6:15pm
Byzantium was the site where Constantine erected his new capital, Constantinople, and the name given to the Orthodox Christian civilization that flourished there in the East Roman Empire until 1453. The first half of this presentation will explore the glory that was Byzantium: its commanding presence astride the intersection of European and Asian trade, statecraft, culture, and religion. The second half will ponder the legacy Byzantium has left to Western Civilization, Eastern Europe, and the Orthodox Church.
B.A. History (Minor in Biblical Languages), Asbury College, 1977; M.A. History (Emphasis: Hellenistic, Roman, and Russian Studies), University of Kentucky, 1980; Certificate, St. Stephen's Course in Orthodox Theology, 1995; M.A.T., Bellarmine University, 2005. Provost, Rose Hill College, 1996-1998. Social Studies Teacher, 1998-present.
The Mystical Spirituality of Byzantine Christianity
Kyriacos C. Markides Friday 7:45pm
Professor Kyriacos C. Markides continues a 30-year exploration of Christian mysticism through his participant observation work with charismatic healers, monks, hermits and celebrated living saints of Eastern Christianity. In this workshop he will show us that there is a clearly identifiable experiential mystical tradition within Christianity that has been practiced for hundreds of years in ancient monasteries and convents, yet is little known to Western seekers who assume authentic spirituality could only be found in eastern religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. We will explore this tradition and examine such topics as the way to know God according to the teachings of the great Christian saints; the illnesses of the heart that prevent us from knowing God and who we truly are as human beings; the spiritual laws that govern human existence; the destiny of the human soul; and the different stages one must go through before attaining God realization. We will also learn about the power of thought and how to protect ourselves from negative thought forms; and be introduced to special meditation and prayer exercises for spiritual healing.
Kyriacos C. Markides, Ph.D. is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Maine and author of nine books published by leading publishers in the United States and the UK. Six of his books, including The Mountain of Silence and Gifts of the Desert are on Christian mystics, spiritual guides, and elders of Eastern Christianity. Professor Markides books are widely read and have been published in twelve other countries and languages. He has given regular lectures and workshops around the United States, Canada and overseas and appeared on national and international television and radio programs. His latest book Inner River: A Pilgrimage to the Heart of Christian Spirituality will be published by Random House/Image Books on March 16 2012. He lives in Stillwater Maine with his wife, Dr. Emily J. Markides, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Peace and Reconciliation Studies at the University of Maine.
Wine, Cheese, and a Film Screening: Andrei Tarkovsky's Stalker
Bobby Maddex Friday 9:00pm;
Saturday 11:00am (critical analysis of film)
Based on the novel Roadside Picnic by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky, Andrei Tarkovsky’s 1979 film Stalker was the director’s first attempt to achieve the classical Aristotelian unity of action, location, and time. In other words, Tarkovsky was trying to tell a perfect story, using the unique qualities of the film medium to create a complete interdependence between plot, characterization, setting, and sequence. But he was also trying to come to terms with the essence of faith in Stalker, departing radically from the film’s source material in order to explore the phenomenon of blind, persistent unbelief.
B.A. Wheaton College; M.A. DePaul University. Bobby Maddex is a Senior Editor of Salvo magazine, Operations Manager of Ancient Faith Radio (AFR), host of the AFR podcast “The Orthodox Moviegoer,” and a freelance writer and speaker on topics related to faith and culture.
When Past Meets Present
Molly Sabourin Saturday 9:15am
Why looking back at the Church's history is essential for persevering in my faith today.
Freelance writer focusing on issues of family, faith, and community. Molly has a regular podcast on Ancient Faith Radio and is the author of Close to Home: One Orthodox Mother's Quest for Patience, Peace, and Perseverance.
The Cappadocian Fathers: Founders of Byzantine Thought
Dr. David Bradshaw Saturday 10:00am
The Cappadocian Fathers of the fourth century established the basic framework for Byzantine thought, and indeed for Orthodox thought today. This talk will provide a synoptic overview of their teaching regarding topics such as art, worship, time and space, human freedom, and human personhood.
David Bradshaw, Ph.D. University of Texas, 1996; Professor and Department Chair of Philosophy, University of Kentucky. Research areas of interest: ancient and medieval philosophy; philosophy of religion. He has several publications, one of which is Aristotle East and West: Metaphysics and the Division of Christendom.
A Reflection on Science in Byzantine Theology
Joseph Steineger Saturday 11:45am
To what extent did Byzantine theologians utilize non-Christian scientific knowledge in their expositions of the Orthodox faith? The question leads to a vast amount of answers due to the variety of scientific subject matter one might choose to explore, as well as some variety in the views put forth by the Greek Fathers themselves. This talk will narrow our focus to the topic of the "heavens" (οὐρανοί). After a basic summary of the Byzantine literary genre known as the "Hexaemeron," we will turn our attention to how John of Damascus (8th century) and Gregory Palamas (14th century) incorporated the scientific knowledge of their day into their discussions of the heavens. My hope is to foster some reflection on the relationship between the Orthodox faith and empirical scientific discovery.
B.A., M.A., University of Kansas; M.A., Ph.D. Candidate, University of Chicago. Joseph is a philosopher in-training, working in the fields of philosophy of religion and metaphysics. He is currently writing his dissertation on the 13th century Scholastic association of John of Damascus with Anselm's argument for the existence of God.
The Eternity of the World in Early Byzantine Thought: Maximus and his Predecessors
Fr. Joshua Lollar Saturday 1:00pm
The issue of the eternity of the world, or more specifically, the eternity of matter, was one of the key dividing points between pagan and Christian philosophy in the late antique and early Byzantine eras. The paper gives an account of Maximus' arguments against the eternity of the world in the Ambigua to John and places his argument within the context of the earlier debates, particularly Philoponus' (a 6th century Christian philosopher from Alexandria) refutations of Proclus' De Aeternitate Mundi.
Fr. Joshua Lollar is the priest at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Lawrence, KS, and lecturer in religion at the University of Kansas. He holds a PhD in Theology from the University of Notre Dame with a dissertation entitled, "To See into the Life of Things: The Contemplation of Nature in Maximus the Confessor's Ambigua to John." Fr. Joshua is the author of a translation and study of Maximus' Ambigua to Thomas. He plans to publish a monograph based upon his dissertation research with the Brepols series Monothéismes et Philosophie and will also be publishing a full translation of the Ambigua to John with Corpus Christianorum. He is married and has four children.
Exploring Byzantine Iconography
Jennie Gelles Saturday 2:00pm
This talk will discuss the history, function, aesthetics, grammar and technique of the icon and it's importance in the Orthodox Christian faith.
Jennie Gelles, B.S. in art education Pennsylvania State University, is an artist and iconographer. Since 2003, she has been studying iconography under internationally known master iconographer, Ksenia Pokrovsky both in her studio and with Hexaemeron.org hosted workshops. Jennie has written icons for her home parish of St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church in Louisville, Kentucky and other churches and homes throughout the United States.
Byzantine Orthodoxy and the Heresiology of Sophronios' Synodical Letter
Dr. Daniel Larison Saturday 3:00pm
Patriarch Sophronios of Jerusalem authored an important early seventh-century text on the occasion of his enthronement as patriarch, the Synodical Letter. The Letter functioned as a confession of faith, as a polemical response to the introduction of monoenergism by the Constantinopolitan church and imperial government, and as a comprehensive heresiological catalogue that recorded previous heretical groups in chronological order as part of a list of individuals and groups to be anathematized. Sophronios’ words reached several different audiences. Not only did he send the Letter to Patriarch Sergios of Constantinople and Pope Honorius, but the Letter found another, larger audience in the council attendees in Constantinople in March 681 when it was read out to them. It is therefore important to study carefully the context of the original composition and intended audience and purpose of the Letter and its re-use in a later, even more contentious and charged context at an ecumenical council. Understanding Sophronios’ purpose in composing such a polemical and heresiological text and sending it to Sergios helps us make sense of Sophronios’ attention to heresies and councils, and in turn it was Sophronios’ attention to heresies and councils in connection with refuting monoenergism that gained his Letter a prominent place in the dyothelete dossier arranged at the sixth ecumenical council to condemn Sergios’ theological heirs.
Daniel Larison received a Ph.D. in History from the University of Chicago in 2009. His dissertation "Return to Authority: The Monothelete Controversy and the Role of Text, Emperor, and Council in the Sixth Ecumenical Council" studied the council fathers' uses of patristic sources and the involvement of Constantine IV in the deliberations of the council. He is Senior Editor at The American Conservative, and also writes as an online columnist for The Week magazine. He and his wife currently live in Chicago.
Pilgrimages to the heart of Eastern Orthodox Christianity: a picture presentation
Kyriacos C. Markides Saturday 3:45pm
This second talk will be based on pictures to various pilgrimage places of Eastern Christianity (Mt. Athos, St. Catherine in Sinai and many others). It is a continuation of the previous lecture but with pictures and images of monasteries and holy elders.
See biography above, left.
Weekend Schedule
Friday
Saturday
Saint Michael Orthodox Church has been witnessing to the truth of Orthodox Christianity in Louisville since the early 1930’s, but our Faith has been preached unchanged for 2,000 years.
www.stmichaelorthodoxchurch.org
3701 Saint Michael Church Drive, Louisville, KY 40220
There will be snacks
Elite-level, micro-roasted coffee provided by Brown Coffee Co. of San Antonio, TX,
and Quills Coffee of Louisville, KY.
Recommended Hotel
Breckinridge Inn, (502) 456-5050
Special rate for Climacus Conference attendees: $59.95/night (for 2 doubles or 1 king)
Call Kim and mention "Climacus block" on your lodging tab!
Less than 1 mile to conference • Continental Breakfast •
Heated indoor pool • Whirlpool • Exercise room • Full service lounge
Directions to Parish/Conference
3701 Saint Michael Church Drive, Louisville, KY 40220
Exit I-264 at Breckenridge South. Go about 1/3 mile to Hikes Ln.
Turn right. Go 1/2 mile on Hikes Ln. to church on left.
$15 per day/$20 for both days.
(Discount for families and for pre-registering with the form below. Free if you can't afford it. Please email David, address below.)
Includes beverages all weekend. Bagels & donuts in the morning and lunch on Saturday.
Download Registration Form (.doc)
RSVP, PREPAY, & QUESTIONS: contact
David Wright, Conference Founder & Director:
(502) 296-2095 /
Much thanks to our sponsors!
Ancient Faith Radio The Brown Coffee Co.
Quills Coffee Eighth Day Books
Touchstone Magazine