Orientale Lumen XXIX – “Nicaea: Meaning of the First Ecumenical Dialogue for Today”

Orientale Lumen XXIX
“Nicaea: Meaning of the First Ecumenical Dialogue for Today”

Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria, VA
February 14-15, 2025

Co-sponsored by
the Orientale Lumen Foundation,
the Washington Theological Consortium and
the Huffington Ecumenical Institute at HCHC

Speakers will present their reflections on the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, held in in 325, and what it means for dialogue today and the future. The conference will take place on the campus of the Virginia Theological Seminary with four plenary sessions.  The agenda will begin with an ecumenical prayer service on Friday morning. It will include Evensong Vespers and a “movie night with pizza” on Friday evening.  Then will conclude with Byzantine Vespers on Saturday afternoon.  Each plenary will include a lecture by the speaker followed by a panel discussion and Q&A from the participants.

The annual ecumenism award of the Washington Theological Consortium and Figel Lecture will be Thursday evening, February 13 (6-9 pm), with Fr John Behr and Dr. Katherine Sonderegger speaking on: “Nicaea, Christian Unity, and Our Shared Life of Prayer.”  It is free and open to the public.

Speakers:

Bishop John Michael Botean
Romanian Catholic Eparchy of Canton, OH

Bishop John Bauerschmidt
Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee, Nashville, TN

Fr. John Behr
Professor of Humanity, University of Aberdeen, Scotland

Fr. Hyacinthe Destivelle
Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, The Vatican

Dr. John Borelli, Moderator
Special Assistant to the President, Georgetown University, Washington, DC

Conference Fees:
Students of the Washington Theological Consortium         $ 25.00
Faculty, Clergy and Religious                                                   $ 50.00
Full Registration for All Others                                               $ 75.00

Meals and accommodations are NOT included, except for the Friday evening “pizza party.” Hotels nearby include Hilton Alexandria Mark Center and Courtyard Marriott Alexandria.  Lunch will be available at the VTS refectory for $15.00/day by advance purchase online here, or from a kiosk on campus.  Advance purchases will help seminary staff in preparation for the lunches.