'Themes in Contemporary Theology' Lecture by Revd Chad Hatfield

With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, St Andrew’s ‘Themes in Contemporary Theology’ series continued on 15 October with a zoom presentation by the renowned Very Revd Prof. Chad Hatfield, President of St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York and Professor of Missiology. Father Chad was welcomed by College Sub-Dean, Assoc. Prof. Philip Kariatlis, along with faculty and students, who were excited for his talk entitled ‘White for the Harvest. Knowing the Changing Landscape.’ Father Chad thanked His Eminence Archbishop Makarios for the invitation before taking us on a journey through the complex topic of Orthodox Missiology, bringing to the fore the significance of Mission to the extent that it is part of the inherent being of the Church. But there are obstacles as well as unique opportunities to Mission, and Fr Chad deftly navigated these via the unique situation of Orthodoxy within the religious and secular landscapes of North America (as well as the global context), along with providing historical examples and concrete suggestions as to a way forward. A robust Q&A followed, and the College looks forward to our further correspondence and collaboration with St Vladimir’s; a initiative blessed our Dean, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.