At the St. Tikhon University discussed the creation of an educational program on sectology moscow patriarchate

At the St. Tikhon University discussed the creation of an educational program on sectology В Свято-Тихоновском университете обсудили создание образовательной программы по сектоведению print version June 23, 2017 19:23 June 22, 2017 in the main building of the Orthodox Holy Tikhon Humanitarian University (PSTGU) held an international meeting on the creation of an inter-Orthodox educational program on sectology. Representatives of Local Orthodox Churches, Bishop Orekhovo-Zuevsky Panteleimon and professors of the PSTU discussed the actual problems facing Orthodox missionaries in connection with the activation of the sectarian movement. From the side of the St. Tikhon University, Vicar of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Bishop Orekhovo-Zuevsky Panteleimon, Archpriest Alexander Schelkachev, Deputy Dean of the Missionary Faculty, Professor A.B. Efimov, Professor A.L. Dvorkin , the rector of the rector I.V. Shchelkachev. The local Orthodox Churches were represented by Metropolitan Porphyry of Zagreb and Lubland ( Serbian Orthodox Church ), Bishop Christopher of Cyprus ( Cyprus Orthodox Church ), Professor Ivan Zhelev Dimitrov (former Minister of the Confessions of Bulgaria), Professor Protodeacon Dragan Radic (Serbian Orthodox Church), Professor Christos Jacob Cyprus). Opening the discussion, Bishop Panteleimon emphasized that religious enlightenment plays a decisive role in the fight against sectarianism: "His Holiness Patriarch Kirill attaches great importance to education. At each meeting of the Supreme Church Council, educational programs are discussed. " In Russia, there are many positive changes in this area, including thanks to the St. Tikhon University, Vladyka Panteleimon emphasized, reminding those present that the first defense of the thesis on theology of the theological faculty of the PSTU theological faculty of the archpriest Pavel Honzinsky was held recently in Russia. The participants of the meeting expressed concern about the destructive phenomena in the religious life of Russia. According to Bishop Panteleimon, in the "Far East, so far the number of registered sectarian organizations exceeds the number of Orthodox organizations." Bishop Panteleimon also pointed out that the low percentage of church people in Russia is largely due to the lack of priests. In Moscow, there are more than 8,000 Orthodox believers per priest. The Vladyka paid special attention to the connection between missionary and educational activities: "It is important that all our programs have an anti-sectarian direction. When a person hears a competent, qualified answer about Orthodoxy, he will have a vaccination against sects and other religious teachings, "the bishop is convinced. "Cooperation of the Fraternal Churches is especially important in the field of education," he stressed. Continuing the discussion, Bishop Christopher of Karpasia noted that confrontation with sects is important on the scale of not just one but all the Orthodox Churches. He recalled that, ten years ago, an all-Orthodox network of anti-sectarian organizations was founded by experts from different countries, which annually held conferences in various countries where it was hosted by the local Orthodox Churches. In addition, meetings of a smaller scale were held over several years to discuss current issues. In September this year, the tenth anniversary conference will be held in Poland, it will be hosted by the Polish Orthodox Church. Bishop Christopher noted with regret that the qualified and competent Orthodox experts in sect studies are sorely lacking, that is why the discussed educational program should be aimed at supporting the pastoral and missionary activity of the Ecumenical Church. "We need to understand how from the pastoral point of view, assistance can be provided to combat negative religious phenomena. This program should prepare church cadres who will be specialists in sectology, "Bishop Christopher said. Noting the special role of the PSTG in the anti-sectarian movement, the metropolitan of Zagreb-Lubland Porfiry (Perich) thanked the university for organizing the meeting and noted the special importance of Orthodox education. St. Tikhon's University, in his opinion, is a unique educational institution in the Orthodox world: "Secular education in the field of religious studies in itself can lead a person away from the goal. After all, the way of a person's life depends on what kind of a prism he looks at himself, on the world and on God. Today, wolves are operating in sheep's skins, who pretend to be kind and offer others very tempting promises about some other, special way of life. Many fall into their traps. We must give this orthodox assessment. The priceless approach, which some secular scholars of theology tell us, does not exist. In the end, it turns into a sectarian defense. " "It is important that Professor Dvorkin, whom the entire Orthodox world knows as an erudite fighter against sects, participated in this educational program. We hope for the strength of the Russian Orthodox Church, "Metropolitan Porfiry said. Professor Ivan Zhelev Dimitrov said that the countries of the former socialist camp are facing common problems, recalling the "fluidity" of a number of new sects actively moving within the Slavic countries. "Therefore, for us, the translation into Bulgarian of the already well-known book" Sectology "by the authoritative professor Dvorkin in Bulgaria is so important for us," the professor added. Professor A.L. Dvorkin, in turn, recalled the problems of sectology, the main of which is the lack of staff. He quoted the words of Bishop Christopher that "sectology is the area of ​​activity of individuals". "There was a well-known sectologist Protopresbyter Antony Alevizopulos, whose memory is devoted to the book" Sectology, "he died, and in Greece he did not find worthy successors. Now is the time for each of us to think about it. It is necessary to raise those who will continue our business, "the sectologist said. "We have to face both the opposition of many secular religious scholars, who in fact advocate an atheistic view of the study of religions, and with the misunderstanding of some Orthodox believers, or consider the critical study of sects unimportant, or under the guise of a patristic approach that actually closes with a sectarian defense. The true Orthodox theological, scientific, missionary and pastoral approach requires, acting in the spirit of the great fathers of the past, to apply it to contemporary realities and to use at the same time all the latest achievements of modern science. This was how the ever-memorable father Anthony Alevizopoulos, educated in Germany and in Athens, acted. But in addition to the fact that he actually founded modern Orthodox sectology, he was one of the most famous confessors of the Church of Greece, "said Professor Alexander Dvorkin. Professor Christ Yakov presented a plan for a new curriculum, which will be designed to teach the two main parts of the Orthodox Church - Greek-speaking and Russian-speaking parishioners. "Our task is to give them knowledge at the highest level," the professor is convinced. Participants in the meeting agreed on the need to create a general educational program on sectology for people who already have at least a bachelor's degree in theology. The program should be created in two languages ​​- Greek and Russian. The PSTU will take on the training of the Russian-speaking audience. Greek-speaking students will be trained in Cyprus. Teaching will be carried out by an international professorial staff from all Orthodox Churches. It was decided to create a committee consisting of several specialists from each side who will meet in the near future and will develop a detailed curriculum for full-time two-year missionary courses with a specialization in sectology.