On May 16, 2024 in the throne room of the spiritual-cultural and administrative center of Kazakhstan Metropolitan District named after Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov) in Almaty with the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan the II International Scientific Conference «Philosophy of Religion in the East and West» was opened.
The organizers of the forum were: Alma-Ata Theological Seminary, the Department of Russian and Byzantine Philosophy of the Philosophy Faculty of John Paul II in Krakow, the UNESCO Chair for the Study of World Culture and Religions of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University named after Boris Yeltsin (Bishkek), the Jesuit Society in Kyrgyzstan.
The conference chaired by Metropolitan Alexander was attended by Bishop of Talgar Veniamin, Secretary of the Metropolitan District Honored Art Worker of the Russian Federation O.N. Ovchinnikov, bishop of Talgar, bishops of the Metropolitan District. Ovchinnikov, Archpriest Valery Zakharov, Rector of Alma-Ata parishes, Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov, Acting Rector of the Alma-Ata Theological Seminary, Priest John Livinsky, Vice-Rector for Educational Work, Priest Peter Bakhtiyarov, Vice-Rector for Academic Work, and Archpriest Peter Bakhtiyarov, Vice-Rector for Scientific Work. Candidate of Philosophy A.P. Solovyev, Head of the Biblical and Theological Department Candidate of Theology Priest Oleg Lisin, Head of the Church History Department Archpriest Alexander Gaichenya, Head of the Regents Department of the APDS Honored Worker of Culture of the Russian Federation L.E. Goricheva. Goricheva, head of the church-practical department candidate of theology V.P. Pashkov, head of the clerical school office priest Alexander Shishlov, clergy of the churches of the Southern capital of Kazakhstan, teachers and students of the seminary, teachers and pupils of Sunday schools of the city, historians, local historians.
The conference was also attended by leading experts in theological and secular humanities; representatives of higher educational institutions of Russia, Poland, Germany, Switzerland and France.
The scientific forum was opened by the welcoming speech of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, who, in particular, noted:
«In the bright Easter days I am glad to welcome the participants of the II International Scientific Conference "Philosophy of Religion in the East and West" in the spiritual-cultural and educational center of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, which bears the name of the confessor of faith Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov).
Last year the first such conference was held in the neighboring country — Kyrgyzstan. This year, the blessed land of Kazakhstan is welcoming scholars thanks to the joint efforts of the Alma-Ata Orthodox Theological Seminary and the Philosophy Department of the Pontifical John Paul II University in Krakow. It is gratifying to see that a considerable number of scholars from different countries are interested in the study of the religious sphere of life in the modern world.
The title of the conference suggests a diverse range of topics and a wide range of papers and presentations, since the study of philosophy, theology, and religious studies is an incredibly broad field for intellectual work. The very fact of our increased attention to philosophy of religion as a science and academic discipline testifies, among other things, to our dissatisfaction with the current picture of existence. We cannot at once give answers to all those urgent questions that will be posed in the reports of the conference participants and asked to the speakers by their listeners.
I urge you to be thoughtful, to refuse unilateral and categorical judgments, to respect the opinion of opponents on our paths to the knowledge of Truth. I wish all the participants of the II International Scientific Conference "Philosophy of Religion in the East and West" blessed successes in scientific works on philosophical field»
The rector of Alma-Ata Theological Seminary Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov also welcomed all those present.
The rector of Alma-Ata Theological Seminary Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov also welcomed all those gathered:
«The Theological School, established in 2010 on the basis of the previously existing diocesan theological school, is the main forge of personnel for the dioceses of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District. I would like to note that our students — are natives of this land, so they are well aware of the peculiarities of the Central Asian region, the history of their country, cultural traditions and mentality of ethnic groups living in the republic. And the most important thing is their Motherland, they love Kazakhstan, they love their people.
Alma-Ata Seminary has a state license to carry out educational activities in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Since 2010, the seminary has trained more than 400 specialists in the field of Orthodox theological sciences. Many graduates have received the sacred ministry and now do their pastoral work in parishes in Kazakhstan, Russia and other countries. Some after graduating from theological academies have joined the teaching staff of the Alma-Ata Seminary.
The efforts undertaken by the The efforts of the priesthood and clergy of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District to develop a center of spiritual education and enlightenment in Alma-Ata are bearing fruit — our seminary is living and improving. All of us have a noble goal — the main higher spiritual school of the Metropolitan District should correspond to its high title not only by curricula and programs, but also by the quality of real knowledge and practical skills of students».
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The importance of live communication within the forum was noted in her address by Professor Sister Teresa Obolewicz, Head of the Department of Russian and Byzantine Philosophy of the Faculty of Philosophy of the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow.
The importance of live communication within the forum was emphasized by Professor Sister Teresa Obolewicz.
After that, the working part of the event opened with the first paper of the forum «The Image of Tradition in Heidegger's Early Works: Between Theoretical Setting and the Experience of Factuality» delivered by S.A. Konacheva, Dean of the Philosophy Department of the Russian State University for the Humanities.
After a break, the conference continued its work in five thematic sections: «Philosophy of Religion and Religious Studies: Past and Modernity» «Philosophical Theology and Traditional Theology: Problems of Interaction in the Past and in Modernity» «Religious Philosophy in the Past and in Modernity» «Philosophy of Religion and Religious Studies. Russia, USSR and Russian emigration: ideas and personalities» «Religious ideas and philosophy of religion in Russia and Russian emigration: socio-cultural context» «Identities and values of East and West». In total, more than 25 reports were read on the first day of the conference.
On May 17-18, the forum participants will continue their work. On Friday within the framework of the conference there will be a round table on the theme «Theology and metaphysics of the secular and postsecular: theological and philosophical prerequisites of the theories of secularization and postsecular». On May 18, the summing up of the scientific forum will take place.
For more details about the list of participants and the topics of the reports can be found on the official Alma-Ata Theological Seminary website.
Metropolitan District in the Republic of Kazakhstan/Patriarchy.ru
