On December 23, 2023, the Sretensk Theological Academy hosted a patrological conference with international participation, organized by the Scientific Center for Patrological Research of the Department of Theology of the SDA, in a face-to-face and remote format. The forum was dedicated to the 1630th anniversary of the birth of Blessed Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus (393-466), a representative of the Antiochian school of Christian theology.
During the conference there was a presentation of the book "Blessed Theodoret of Cyrus. Treatment of Hellenic Ailments, or Knowledge of the Gospel Truth from Hellenic Philosophy" (translation from Greek. Moscow: Pilgrim, 2022). The book was published under the auspices of the Scientific Center for Patrological Studies named after Professor A.I. Sidorov of the Sretensky Theological Academy. The translator of the book, head of the Scientific Center for Patrological Studies of the SDA Theology Department, Professor of the Sretensk Theological Academy Associate Professor P.K. Dobrotsvetov spoke about the idea of this treatise, which is to compare Christian and pagan answers to fundamental questions of philosophy and religion. Blessed Theodoret demonstrates the superiority of the Gospel and Christianity over Greek philosophy and paganism, finding arguments in non-Christian sources, authoritative for the pagans themselves, in connection with which the author of the treatise shows a wide erudition in the sphere of classical philosophy and religion. of ancient literature. In conclusion, P.K. Dobrotsvetov thanked by name all those who participated in the work on the book.
An introduction to the historical problems of the epoch of Blessed Theodoret's life and church ministry was the report of the director of the Smolensk Orthodox Gymnasium, candidate of theology, Archpriest Svyatoslav Khudovekov, "The Urban Environment of a Syrian Early Byzantine City of the 5th Century as a Background to the Activity of Blessed Theodoret of Cyrus".
P.K. Dobrotsvetov made a review report "Blessed Theodoret of Cyrus in the History of Church Writing and Theology", in which he traced the eventful life and writings of the Bishop of Cyrus, rich in events and participation in theological disputes. According to the speaker, Blessed Theodoret is known as an exegete, theologian-dogmatist and polemicist against heresies, church historian, preacher, hagiographer and Christian apologist. The speaker also touched upon the main theological themes of the saint's writings and the ambiguous attitude towards him in the subsequent church tradition.
The polemical anti-heretical theme was touched upon in the reports of Ivan Hristov, Professor of the Theological Faculty of St. Kliment Ohridsky University of Sofia (Bulgaria), "The Anti-heretical Polemic of Theodoret of Cyrus in John the Exarch's "Six Days"", and Associate Professor of the Sretensk Theological Academy. Candidate of Theology R.M. Konya "The Significance of the Heresiological Heritage of Blessed Theodoret of Cyrus for Modern Sect Studies".
The reports of Pavel Patrunin (Kostroma Theological Seminary) "The Christology of Blessed Theodoret of Cyrus: Origins, Main Trends, and Terminology" and Professor of St. Petersburg State University, Professor of the Sretensk Theological Academy, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Candidate of Theology, Protodeacon Vladimir Vasilik "St. Cyril of Alexandria and Blessed Theodoret of Cyrus: Enmity and Reconciliation" were devoted to Christological problems.
The attention to the personality and legacy of Theodoret of Cyrus in the Russian scientific and theological tradition was described in their reports by Associate Professor of the Vologda Theological Seminary, Candidate of Theology, Priest Daniel Goryachev ("Blj. Theodoret of Cyrus in the Russian theological and philosophical tradition of the XX-XXI centuries") and Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Biblical Studies of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, Candidate of Theology, Archpriest Dmitry Yurevich ("Evaluation of the exegesis of Bl. Theodoret of Cyrus by Professor N.N. Glubokovsky of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy").
Certain aspects of the ideological and written heritage of the Archpastor of Cyrus were covered in the reports of a nun of the Gorno Nunnery, a member of the Russian Theological Mission in Jerusalem. N.G. Golovnina ("The Monks from the 'History of the Theologians of Bogolyubtsy' by Blj. Theodoret of Cyrus in Syrian sources"), Master of Theology Priest Gleb Ryabinin ("The concept of 'diacrisis' in the works of Blj. Theodoret of Cyrus") and clergyman of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Vladivostok, teacher of the Center of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Hegumen Anthony (Kamenchuk) ("Methodological Approach in the Teaching of Blessed Theodoret of Cyrus on the Providence of God").
At the end of the conference, Associate Professor P.K. Dobrotsvetov expressed his gratitude to Hegumen John (Ludishchev), Acting Rector of the Sretensk Theological Academy, for the opportunity to hold the conference and thanked the speakers for their work, which contributed to the study of the legacy of Blessed Theodoret of Cyrus and the identification of its relevant aspects for modern theology.
The conference lasted The conference was about seven hours long and aroused great interest among the participants, who asked questions to the speakers, held discussions and discussed plans for the next conferences.
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