SVOTS Hosts Leading Scholars for Symposium on the Future of Orthodox Biblical Studies

Speakers at SVOTS’ Fourth Academic Symposium. Photo: SVOTS

YONKERS, N.Y. — St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) convened leading Orthodox and international biblical scholars Oct. 16–18, 2025, for its Fourth Annual Academic Symposium, themed “Orthodox Biblical Scholarship Between Church and Academy.”

The event centered on a pivotal question posed by keynote speaker Professor R.W.L. Moberly, one of the world’s foremost biblical scholars: Is there, or could there be, a distinctively Orthodox mode of biblical scholarship?

In his address, “Orthodox Biblical Scholarship: Possibilities and Prospects,” Dr. Moberly reflected on how modern biblical studies — shaped largely by Protestant scholarship since the eighteenth century — has often strayed from its theological core.

“The core subject matter of Scripture is not primarily ancient history, but God,” he said, noting that historical-critical approaches can lead to readings that treat biblical texts as isolated artifacts rather than as part of a unified divine revelation.

Seminary faculty and visiting scholars engaged in three days of robust discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing Orthodox interpreters, who remain relatively underrepresented in the global academic field.

“It was a wonderful few days of stimulating discussion among fine scholars,” said Dr. Michael Legaspi, symposium organizer and SVOTS Associate Professor of Old Testament. “I am deeply grateful to our Dean, Dr. Alex Tudorie, for his support in hosting this event. My hope is that this Symposium has given each of us, and all who watched and participated, something to think about to help us all do our work of studying and proclaiming the Scriptures to the best of our ability.”

Other than Moberly and Legaspi, other speakers included:

• The Rev. Dr. Michael Azar (University of Scranton);
• The Very Rev. Dr. Silviu N. Bunta (University of Dayton);
• Dr. Lydia Gore-Jones (St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College);
• Dr. Rebecca Luft (St. Herman Theological Seminary);
• The Rev. Dr. George Parsenios (Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology);
• The Rev. Dr. Eugen Pentiuc, in absentia (Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology);
• The Rev. Dr. Cosmin Pricop (University of Bucharest);
• Dr. James Wallace (Christian Brothers University); and
• The Rev. Dr. Daniel York (Orthodox Church in America, Diocese of the West)

More information about their presentations can be found here. The keynote address can be watched here.

Previously, UOJ reported that police had returned relics of St. Raphael to St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary.

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