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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2024-03
The 2024 Conference of the Orthodox Canon Law Society of North America
in Brookline, Massachusetts
The inaugural conference of The Orthodox Canon Law Society of North America (OCLSNA) will be held on October 18–19, 2024 at the Maliotis Cultural Center located on the campus of Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, 50 Goddard Avenue, Brookline, MA.
Blessed by hierarchy, the OCLSNA is an independent academic society. The Society is Pan-Orthodox as well as unrestricted in denominational affiliation.
The OCLSNA holds an annual forum for the presentation and discussion of papers on every aspect of Orthodox canon law and on related topics relevant to the discipline. Orthodox canon law includes the entire field of Eastern Christian canonical history and practice, including the Oriental and Eastern Catholic traditions. The discipline extends beyond the review of formal legislation and includes a vast scope of practice and literature. The canonical and legal life of the Church is reflected in such diverse areas as hagiography, liturgy, art, hymnography, and pastoral practice.
Conference attendance is open to all members who have registered. Registration may be accessed through the OCLSNA website. The conference webpage contains the following charges: $15.00 registration fee (three full meals plus reception) and membership renewal for 2025 ($20.00 reduced or $50.00 full). The charge for an optional additional dinner on Friday (October 18) is $15.00. Information for hotel options in the area is available.
A PDF of the 2024 conference program is now available.
A PDF book of the 2024 conference abstracts is also available.
The principal purposes of the Society are to cultivate a new generation of canonists; to promote canonical study and research in North America; to respond to canonical needs; to encourage cooperation with individuals and organizations conducting research in related fields; to establish meaningful dialogues with other organizations dedicated to canonical studies; and to provide a venue for the presentation of papers embodying current research on all aspects of Orthodox canonical studies and for discussion of canonical praxis in a professional setting.
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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2024-02
Ancient Faith Ministries interviews
Patrick Viscuso
President of the Orthodox Canon Law Society of North America
On March 20, 2024, Bobby Maddox of Ancient Faith Ministries interviewed Patrick Viscuso, the President of the Orthodox Canon Law Society of North America. Fr. Viscuso not only explained the new Society but also discussed Orthodox canon law in general.
The interview may be accessed through the Ancient Faith Ministries website.
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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2024-01
Call for Papers
The 2024 Conference of the Orthodox Canon Law Society of North America
Deadline: May 31, 2024
The location of this year’s conference will take place on October 18–19, 2024 at the Maliotis Cultural Center located on the campus of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, 50 Goddard Avenue, Brookline, MA 02445.
The Orthodox Canon Law Society of North America (OCLSNA) holds an annual forum for the presentation and discussion of papers on every aspect of Orthodox canon law and on related topics relevant to the discipline. Orthodox canon law includes the entire field of Eastern Christian canonical history and practice, including the Oriental and Eastern Catholic traditions. The discipline extends beyond the review of formal legislation and includes a vast scope of practice and literature. The canonical and legal life of the Church is reflected in such diverse areas as hagiography, liturgy, art, hymnography, and pastoral practice.
Conference attendance is open to all. Although blessed by Orthodox hierarchy, the society is academic in nature and not affiliated with any Orthodox jurisdiction or with the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States.
The society aims to foster growth in the study of the Orthodox canonical tradition by gathering scholars, professors, graduate students, attorneys, seminarians, and interested clergy in academic conferences to provide an avenue for the presentation of papers embodying current research in a professional setting.
The Program Committee invites proposals for papers on all topics and in all disciplines related to Orthodox canon law, as described above broadly construed. Scholars, professors, graduate students, attorneys, seminarians, and interested clergy are encouraged to contribute. Since the society is academic in nature, all are welcome to submit proposals without any consideration of denominational affiliation.
For information on submitting a paper abstract, the blind review process, and instructions for organized panel proposals, please select the following link to the 2024 conference page.
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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2023-231
October 14, 2023
From October 13–14, 2023, the Orthodox Canon Law Society of North America (OCLS) held an inaugural workshop and its first organizational meeting at the Maliotis Center, located on the campus of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Brookline, MA.
During a reception on the evening of October 13, George Cantonis, President of Hellenic College Holy Cross, warmly welcomed the participants to the campus. Likewise, the Very Rev. Dr. Patrick Viscuso, President of the OCLS, extended a welcome and offered his vision for the Society. He set forth the central point that the OCLS is incorporated as an independent non-profit academic Society and is not affiliated with any Orthodox jurisdiction or with the Assembly of Canonical Bishops of the United States.
The principal purposes of the Society are to cultivate a new generation of Orthodox Christian canonists and promote canonical study and research in North America; respond to canonical needs; encourage cooperation with individuals and organizations conducting research in related fields; establish meaningful dialogues with other organizations dedicated to canonical studies; and provide a venue for the presentation of papers embodying current research on all aspects of Orthodox canonical studies and for discussion of canonical praxis in a professional setting.
These conferences will gather scholars, professors, clergy, seminarians, graduate students, and attorneys, who will all be invited to contribute papers and discussion. The Society is Pan-Orthodox as well as unrestricted in denominational affiliation. All those interested in the academic study of Orthodox canon law are invited to join the Society.
Also speaking at the welcome reception were the Rev. Dn. Andrei Psarev, Vice President of the OCLS and Professor of Canon Law at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville; the Very Rev. Fadi Rabbat, Dean of the Antiochian House of Studies; and many other participants, including Dr. Lewis Patsavos, Emeritus Professor of Canon Law, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. The Antiochian House of Studies is the first academic institution to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to support the aims of the OCLS.
On Saturday, October 14, the OCLS held its inaugural workshop and organizational meeting. The workshop keynote, titled “Myths and Realities Related to the Pan-Orthodox Congress of 1923,” was presented by Fr. Patrick Viscuso. The lecture represented the first conference-length critical academic presentation in the English language on this subject. Responses were given by Dn. Andrei Psarev and Fr. Bartholomew Mercado, Professor of Canon Law and Chaplain at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.
Following the workshop and a lunch, an organizational meeting of the Society was held at which the totality of the Society’s Board was formed:
President - Fr. Patrick Viscuso
Vice-President - Dn. Andrei Psarev
Secretary - Laura Wilson
Treasurer - Fr. Bartholomew Mercado
Board Member - Dr. Lewis Patsavos
Board Member - Dr. Despina Prassas
Board Member - Christos Linardakis
During the meeting, Fr. Patrick Viscuso set forth the goal of holding the first conference of the OCLS in twelve months. In addition, plans were announced for a website to be online within two weeks. Dues were announced as $50.00 for regular membership and $20.00 for students and those with financial constraints. During the organizational meeting, many attendees joined the Society as founding members. In addition, email applications for membership were received from throughout North America and internationally.
For additional information on membership and the future plans of the OCLS, please contact Fr. Patrick Viscuso and Fr. Bartholomew Mercado at orthodoxcanonlawsociety@gmail.com