Open Seminar: An Orthodox priest in Australia: Seraphim Phocas, his writings and sectarianism in early 20th century Australia

Location: Greek Centre, Mezzanine, 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Date: Thursday, 21 July 2016, 7:00pm
Presenter: Dr. Dimitrios Varvaritis
Entry: FREE

Synopsis

This seminar will focus on the published writings of one of Australia’s first Greek leaders the Orthodox priest Reverend Seraphim Phocas.

The books, articles and reports of Phocas in Greek scholarly journals remain unstudied. An examination of this body of work reveals a profound commitment, on the part of Phocas, to Orthodox tradition and indeed a particular strand of sectarianism in his thought.

This seminar will thus present and critically examine these writings. It will furthermore argue that they must be seen within a critical juncture of a number of broad historical factors affecting both Orthodox Christianity and Australian colonial society at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

These factors include: the continuous exchanges, chiefly at a high clerical level, between Protestant Anglicans and Orthodox Christians, the permanent settlement of Orthodox Christians in the various Australian colonies and finally the continued sectarian rivalries and cleavages within Australian colonial society.

Sponsors

We thank the following donors: Ithacan Philanthropic Society

During the course of the year considerable expenses are incurred in staging the seminars. In order to mitigate these costs individuals or organisations are invited to donate against a lecture of their choice.  You too can donate for one or more seminars and (optionally) let your name or brand be known as a patron of culture to our members, visitors and followers, as well as the broader artistic and cultural community of Melbourne. Please email: info@greekcommunity.com.au or call 03 9662 2722.

We also thank the following corporate sponsors: