The Apostle Paul: A Crash Course Symposium

With the blessing of our College President and Dean, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, our College has organised a short series of intensive evening lectures to be delivered by His Grace Bishop Themistocles of Nicopolis. Whilst it was our intention to host this event on the College campus in Redfern (like our annual Symposia) the ongoing renovation project for the Cathedral here has made that impractical. But we are deeply grateful for the generous hospitality of His Grace Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia (a College alumnus) and the Greek Orthodox Parish & Community of Kogarah for providing the Hermes Lounge next door to their church for our event.

THE APOSTLE PAUL: A CRASH COURSE SYMPOSIUM

3 Seminar Lectures by His Grace Bishop Themistocles of Nicopolis (Patriarchate of Africa; Head of the Sierra Leone Orthodox Mission). Bishop Themi was born in Alexandria and raised in Melbourne. He holds degrees in Arts, Education, Biblical Studies and Theology from the University of Melbourne, Monash University, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (USA), Princeton Divinity School (USA), and Brown University (USA). He taught Biblical Studies, Early Church History and Biblical Hebrew at St Andrew’s Theological College from its establishment in 1986 until 1999. For the past 25 years he has ministered to the poor in Africa (read more at https://paradise4kids.org/reverend-themi-adamopoulo/)

Dates:

4^TH to 6^TH SEPTEMBER 2024

Time:

7:00-9:00pm over 3 consecutive evenings

Venue:

Hermes Lounge next to Kogarah Greek Orthodox Church

16-20 Belgrave Street KOGARAH

Tea/coffee and light supper included.

Registration (FREE) is essential via TryBooking for organisational and catering purposes. If you can’t attend in person, then register to receive a Zoom link and join live (no recordings - sorry).

REGISTER ONLINE AThttps://www.trybooking.com/CUUWG

PROGRAM

This symposium attempts to do the impossible - presenting the Apostle Paul in three seminar lectures. Towards that goal the lectures will attempt to encapsulate the essential elements of the person, the work, his milieux, and his central theological message.

Wednesday 4th September 2024

Seminar 1

The Abiding Significance of the Apostle Paul

Why study St. Paul? His impact upon Church and Western civilisation is unique. This lecture will analyse his vital significance on early Church and European history.  The status of St. Paul in the Orthodox Church, the Holy Fathers and Byzantium. And as the catalyst of Martin Luther's Protestant Reformation.

Important Background Reading (strongly recommended): The Acts of the Apostles (New Testament)

Thursday 5th September 2024

Seminar 2

The Apostle Paul and his Greco-Roman Milieux

The Apostle Paul did not operate in a cultural and religious vacuum. He worked for the most part in a pagan post-Hellenistic, Greco-Roman world. While his essential theological message was drawn through divine revelation and his Hebraic background, nevertheless while he reacted to the pagan religious mind, at the same time Greco-Roman philosophy (esp. Stoic and Cynic), and rhetoric also influenced his literary methodology. 

Suggested Reading (optional): S. K. Showers, Letter Writing in Greco-Roman Antiquity

Friday 6th September 2024

Seminar 3

Saint Paul and the Mystery of the Cross

The essential theological message of the Apostle Paul centres, and is grounded on, the redemptive power of the Cross. This lecture will analyse the Apostle Paul's explanation of the unique impact, abiding effect and significance of the Crucified Christ.

Important Background Reading (strongly recommended): The Letter to the Galatians (New Testament)

Parking Information

Ample free street parking nearby. Wilson Parking (TAFE St George) behind the church may be open for free (unpredictable). Point Parking (8 Derby Street) Carpark open weeknights until midnight (entry after 7:00pm = free).

Public Transport

Kogarah Station is located 4mins walking distance.