Theme: Theological Anthropology
View full program with abstracts (pdf)

On November 12-14, 2020, OTSA members gathered for our first virtual Annual Meeting, and the first Florovsky lecture in webinar format. The extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated creative thinking in running a meeting that kept members safe but still enabled us to engage in meaningful discussion and social connection. The remote format allowed for a greater attendance than in years past and we hope to continue to energize more of our membership in the future.

The theme of the meeting was Theological Anthropology, with challenging and thoughtful papers that clustered around the areas of spiritual life, theosis, moral action, gender and human rights, racism, disability, and embodied identity. Two panels explored issues of critical concern today: the first panel examined the relation of the Academy and the Church, and the second offered a summary and reflection on the “Bridging Voices: Contemporary Eastern Orthodox Identity and the Challenges of Pluralism and Sexual Diversity in a Secular Age” project run by Exeter University and the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham University.

In our prayer time together, we shared meditation on Scripture (Lectio Divina), prayed the Jesus Prayer, celebrated a cooperative virtual Vespers, and, on Saturday morning, joined in worship reciting the Canon for Racial Reconciliation. We made use of periodic breakout sessions to engage all members in discussion and allow for conversation on topics of mutual interest. The groups that facilitated networking among the attendees were particularly engaging as they allowed us to get to know one another better. In addition, the breakout groups discussing “Women in the Church” and “Ecumenical Engagement” provided an opportunity for members to talk through those issues and share their experience.

At the Annual Business meeting, held on Friday afternoon, we reviewed several agenda items, including the new initiatives undertaken by OTSA in 2020, and the place of OTSA in the new structure proposed by the Assembly of Bishops regarding the various organizations connected to it. We welcomed nine new members, proposed a Spring webinar on the topic of mixed marriages, and explored themes for the next annual meeting.

Each year, OTSA sponsors a public lecture in honor of the renowned theologian Georges Florovsky as an outreach ministry of the society. This year, the Very Rev. Fr. Michael Plekon, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Sociology, Religion and Culture, The City University of New York-Baruch College offered the Florovsky Lecture via webinar format. He spoke on “Community as Church, Church as Community: Death and Resurrection in the Parish Today.” An extended and lively question and answer session followed his remarks. Attendance was significantly higher than usual, and, per our mission, included many members of the public.

We were pleased that the virtual format for this year’s meeting allowed more of our membership to attend the conference. This may open other hybrid-type possibilities for future gatherings. One way or another, we look forward to seeing everyone next year.

Conference Program

Download the summary program (pdf)
Download the full program with abstracts (pdf)