Augustine and the Orthodox: “The West” in the East

The St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine, located in Saint Augustine, Florida is delighted to present its inaugural webinar, a presentation by George Demacopoulos, Ph.D., titled “Augustine and the Orthodox: The ‘West’ in the East,” on the Feast of Saint Augustine of Hippo.

This event is hosted by the Saint Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine and Fordham. The free broadcast will be livestreamed and open to all, although pre-registration is required. The event will include live audience questions. For those who miss the live event, the Shrine will archive this unique event on its website and Facebook page. The webinar is part of a dual observance shared between the Saint Photios Shrine and Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Augustine. Both Orthodox Christians and Roman Catholics celebrate the memory of the prolific theologian of the fourth century, Saint Augustine of Hippo, though on different days. His legacy in Eastern and Western Christian traditions is markedly different. On August 28, the observance of the saint’s memory in the Roman Catholic Church, the Diocese of Saint Augustine will reciprocate in events as yet to be determined.

About George Demacopulos, Ph.D.

George Demacopoulos, Ph.D., is the Father John Meyendorff and Patterson Family Chair of Orthodox Christian Studies at Fordham. Along with Aristotle Papanikolaou, Ph.D., Demacopoulos co-founded the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham, which is the only research university-based center of Orthodox studies in the United States. The Center offers an interdisciplinary minor in Orthodox Christian Studies and a host of research-related initiatives that are bringing the insights of the history, thought, and culture of Orthodox Christianity into a broader academic conversation. In 2010, Demacopoulos was named an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Didaskalos tous Genous (Teacher of the Nation), and now serves as the historian for the Order of St. Andrew.

About St. Augustine, (Commemorated June 15 on the Orthodox Christian Calendar)
St. Augustine was born in the city of Thagaste in northern Africa. He was raised by his mother, St. Monica (May 4), and he received his education at Carthage. In the capacity of professor of rhetoric, Augustine arrived at Milan, Italy where St. Ambrose (December 7) was bishop. Under the guidance of St Ambrose, Augustine studied the Holy Scriptures.

The Word of God produced in his soul a radical crisis; he accepted holy Baptism, gave all his wealth to the poor and was tonsured as a monk. In the year 391, Valerian, Bishop of Hippo, ordained St. Augustine a priest, and in 395, appointed him vicar bishop of Hippo. After the death of Bishop Valerian, St. Augustine took his place. During his 35 years as bishop, St Augustine wrote many works devoted to combating the Donatist, Manichaean, and Pelagian heresies.

St. Augustine wrote many works—according to his student and biographer Possidias, the number approached 1030. Of his works the best known are: The City of God (De civitate Dei), The Confessions, 17 Books Against the Pelagians, and Handbook of Christian Knowledge (The Enchiridion). St. Augustine was concerned above all else that his writings be intelligent and edifying. It is better, he said, for them to condemn our grammar, than for people not to understand. St. Augustine died on August 28, 430.

Events in Celebration of the Feast Day of St. Augustine of Hippo:

Divine Liturgy in the morning of June 15 at St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine 9 a.m. Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, Hierarchal Proistamenos, will preside. This will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube.
Lecture at 7 p.m.

August 28 event—TBD sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine.

Questions? Contact:
Orthodox Christian Studies Center
orthodoxy@fordham.edu