Eastern Church Seminar Focuses on Mysticism

SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio—28 September 2005 – Notre Dame College presents its 21st Annual Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar Friday, October 7 and Saturday October 8. “Mysticism: The Experience of God in Today’s World” brings together theologians from the Byzantine Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions.

Presenters include Father Taras Kraychuk, Ukrainian Catholic Monastery of the Most Holy Theotokos, Orangeville, Ontario; Kevin Berger, Th.D., Dormition Orthodox Monastery, Rives Junction, MI; Rev. Mother Gabriella Ursache, abbess, Dormition Orthodox Monastery, Rives Junction, MI; Rev. Michael Woost, Ph.D., assistant professor of liturgy, St. Mary Seminary, Wickliffe.

The Friday program begins at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Cathedral, 3256 Warren Road, with a vespers service followed by a presentation. Father Taras Kraychuk will discuss his personal conversion experience from rebellious youth to the religious life in his talk, “The Transfigured Life”. A reception follows the presentation.

The Saturday program takes place at Notre Dame College, 4545 College Road in South Euclid. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. The program begins at 9:00 a.m. with a presentation by Kevin Berger, Th.D. titled “The Mystical Knowledge of God from an Eastern Christian Perspective.” Rev. Mother Gabriella Ursache will speak about “Mystical Mothers: Women’s Experience of God,” and Fr. Michael Woost will discuss “Mysticism in Everyday Life.”

Registration is $35 and includes lunch. There is an additional charge for those wishing to earn academic credit. For more information contact Sr. Mary Ann Baran, director of the Center for Pastoral Theology and Ministry, at 216.373.5389 or mbaran@ndc.edu.

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