The need for an in-depth study of the historical vicissitudes compelled the St John of Damascus Institute of Theology of the University of Balamand, in collaboration with our institutional partners from abroad, to organise an international conference under the title, “The Orthodox Church of Antioch from the 15th to the end of the 18th Century: Toward a Proper Understanding of History.” The purpose of this conference, which will be held under the aegis of H.B. Patriarch John X of Antioch and of all the East, is to examine the Orthodox witness and diachronic ministry of the Church of Antioch during a highly sensitive period and to identify the ways by which it dealt with the multi-faceted historical challenges it faced. Emphasis will be given to both the history and the conditions of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch during the period from the second half of the 15th century to the end of the 18th century.
The Middle East is the historical cradle of Christianity dating back to the apostolic era. Antioch, and its Church in particular, became a major center from which the Christian faith was disseminated throughout the entire Roman world. The Apostles Peter and Paul are traditionally credited with heading the Christian church at Antioch, where the followers of Christ were first called “Christians” (Acts 11:26). When the administrative structure of the Church was developed, Antioch emerged naturally as a primatial Patriarchal see. By the middle of the 14th century, to ensure its survival, the Patriarchate of Antioch was forced to transfer its seat to the city of Damascus. Nevertheless, it continued to be recognized by its sacred title, all the while retaining its canonical prerogatives and fidelity to its ecclesiastical tradition forged throughout the centuries. Historically, the Church of Antioch endured many hardships and tribulations, especially after the subjugation of the entire Middle East to successive religious and political regimes, which oftentimes showed hostility toward the Orthodox constituency. Yet, the indissoluble communion and unity of the Church of Antioch with the other Orthodox Churches, despite the variegated difficulties it experienced at times, was never rent asunder.
When the whole of Syria was seized by the Ottomans in 1516, communication between the Churches of Constantinople and Antioch was reinvigorated under the new ruling authorities. In this context, the Orthodox faithful of Antioch, along with those from the entire Middle East, Egypt, Asia Minor, and the Balkans, constituted an integral part of the “Rum Millet (Roman nation)”. This afforded to the Patriarchate of Antioch the opportunity to deepen its interactions with the other Orthodox Churches, and to actively engage in and decisively contribute to the broader ecclesiastical life of the East.
The Patriarchs of Antioch always maintained solidarity with the sister Orthodox Churches and their Primates. Together they defended Orthodoxy and its liturgical tradition, whenever they were threatened. In contending with both internal and external challenges that rendered their work arduous, many worthy Antiochians Patriarchs and competent theologians emerged, all of whom labored strenuously to preserve the Orthodox faith unadulterated. Though the ecclesiastical life of the Patriarchate of Antioch was influenced by the prevailing political circumstances of each era, which engendered painful conditions for the Church, nevertheless, the Patriarchate of Antioch remained steadfast to the apostolic deposit of faith, in accordance with its Orthodox ecclesiological self-understanding.
For the Patriarchate of Antioch, the period leading up to the second half of the 19th century was marked by the traumatic experience of recurring schisms, the last of which was that of 1724 when some of its members embraced Uniate Roman Catholicism. At the same time, the appearance of both Roman Catholic and, later, Protestant missionaries in the Middle East created even greater ruptures, discord, and divisions amongst Christians. The unity of the Patriarchate of Antioch with the other Eastern Orthodox Churches, provided it with strong support during those trying times.
The need for an in-depth study of the historical vicissitudes outlined above compelled the St John of Damascus Institute of Theology of the University of Balamand, in collaboration with our institutional partners from abroad, to organize an international conference under the title, “The Orthodox Church of Antioch from the 15th to the end of the 18th Century: Toward a Proper Understanding of History.” The purpose of this conference, which will be held under the aegis of H.B. Patriarch John X of Antioch and of all the East, is to examine the Orthodox witness and diachronic ministry of the Church of Antioch during a highly sensitive period and to identify the ways by which it dealt with the multi-faceted historical challenges it faced. Emphasis will be given to both the history and the conditions of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch during the period from the second half of the 15th century to the end of the 18th century.
To achieve the goals of this scientific meeting, internationally renowned scholars will be invited to participate in the conference to help provide insight into the distinct thematic units that will be studied from various perspectives. Through the rigorous scientific research that will be produced, the pertinent sources and previous scholarship will be identified, studied, and evaluated, in order to provide a truthful interpretation and proper understanding of the historical events. The accurate assessment of the historical data will help clarify the continual Orthodox presence and functioning of the Apostolic Patriarchate of Antioch during the timeframe in question.
– Thematic Units –
Session 1: The Historical and Political Context
Preliminary discussion on the historical background and trajectory of the period in question. Grand themes of the conference. Figures and historical watersheds.
Session 2: Intellectual Activity and Culture
Discussion on the actions of the Patriarchate of Antioch taken in defense of the Orthodox faith, its fidelity to the apostolic tradition, “the faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3), and the cultural deposit of the Christian community.
Session 3: Relations with other Orthodox Churches and Peoples
The Patriarchate of Antioch and the promotion of Orthodox unity and solidarity.
Session 4: Domestic Affairs
How the Patriarchate of Antioch sought to protect and minister to the Orthodox faithful under its charge.
Session 5: Relations with Rome
Attempts at ‘Union’ from Ferrara-Florence to the 1724 Cyrillian Schism.
