The Zohrab Information Center is thrilled to announce the final event of the Fall 2019 Series on monasticism and monastic life. Over the past few months, the Enrichment Evenings of the Zohrab Information Center have explored medieval Armenian monasticism, the monastic life at the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and monastic arts and practices. The goal of the series has been to argue for the central role of monasteries in the life of the Armenian Apostolic Church and Armenian culture broadly, with an eye to thinking about the possibilities for contemporary Armenian monastic life.
The Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese for the Eastern United States, with its Mor Aphrem Center, has developed a space and daily life that can help imagine what ancient monasticism might look like in the 21st century in America. One of our “Oriental Orthodox” Christian Sister Churches, the history of our two traditions is intertwined. The model developed at the Mor Aphrem Center is helpful for thinking about potential monastic trajectories in America.
For this reason, His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak has graciously invited us to the Mor Aphrem Center at 55 West Midland Ave. in Paramus, NJ at 7 PM on Thursday, December 5 for a roundtable discussion on Ancient Monasticism in the Third Millennium. In co-sponsorship with the Zohrab Information Center, the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese will host an engaging conversation between members of the two Sister Churches. Speakers and participants in the roundtable include: His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church for the Eastern United States; His Grace Bishop Daniel Findikyan, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern); Dr. Roberta Ervine, Professor of Armenian Studies at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary; priests of the Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church for the Eastern United States; and Deacon Eric Vozzy of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). The panel discussion will be moderated by the Director of the Zohrab Information Center, Dr. Christopher Sheklian.
Topics to be discussed include the background and history of Syriac Orthodox monasticism, the background and history of Armenian monasticism, the role and current functioning of the Mor Aphrem Center, and potential ideas for Oriental Orthodox monasteries in the United States in the 21st century.
This promises to be an exciting and edifying evening and the Zohrab Information Center is so grateful to the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Kawak. The Director is currently arranging for transportation from the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church in America at 630 Second Ave. in Manhattan to the Mor Aphrem Center. If you are interested in transportation, which will leave at 5 PM on Thursday, December 5, please contact Dr. Christopher Sheklian.
