Thursday, Sept 27, 7:30pm
"Music as an Icon in the Orthodox Liturgy"
Presenter: Dr. Paul Barnes
Catacomb Bookstore

About the lecture:
"Music as an Icon in the Orthodox Liturgy" will begin with a brief historical overview of Eastern Orthodoxy emphasizing critical moments in history that changed the direction of both Eastern and Western Christianity.   Jerome's Vulgate, Constantine's Edict of Milan, the rise of monasticism, the Ecumenical Councils, the Fall of the Western empire and the rise of the Papacy, the Muslim Conquests, the Great Schism, the Crusade of 1204, the fall of Constantinople in 1453 – all these historical events had lasting consequences on the future of Christianity in both the East and the West. After this historical perspective has been given, an exploration of the Orthodox approach to liturgy and worship will be presented.  Emphasis will be given to the sacramental nature of Orthodox worship and how music functions within this sacramental context.  Following the discussion on liturgy, examples of Orthodox
liturgical music will be discussed and sung by all present. Participation in singing is optional.

About the presenter:
Dr. Paul Barnes is an Associate professor of piano at the University
of Nebraska - Lincoln and serves as head chanter at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.

---

Thursday, October 18, 7:30pm

"Great Russian Poet Alexander Pushkin and his influence on the Russian Society in the 18th century"
Presenter: Rdr. Eugene Kirianov
Catacomb Bookstore

About the lecture:
The lecture will explore the influence of Pushkin's works on the Russian language, literature and music. At the end of the 17th and beginning of the 18th centuries, because of the reforms conducted by the Emperor Peter the Great, the high society of Russia "fell in love" with the West. In the Russian capital, St. Petersburg, many so called "educated" people came to such an absurdity when they refused speaking with each other in their native Russian language. The reigning tongue at that time was French in many Russian houses, and in the capital.  It was the great Pushkin poem "Eugene Onegin" that created a revival in Russian cultural life. The example of Pushkin's works created a new wave of Russian writers, poet and composers. Many of them are admired now by the West.

About the presenter:
Eugene Kirianov is a graduate of Moscow State University, Russia, and serves as Reader at St. John of Kronstadt Orthodox Church in Lincoln, NE.
 

Thursday, November 8, 7:30pm
"The Breath of God: An introduction to prayer in the Eastern Orthodox Christian Tradition"
Presenter: Fr. James Dank
Catacomb Bookstore

About this lecture:
The Eastern Orthodox Church is known for taking seriously the Scriptural call to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Twentieth-century Orthodox theologian Paul Evdokimov said, "Our whole life, every act and gesture, even a smile must become a hymn or adoration, an offering, a prayer. We must become prayer - prayer incarnate", or as St. Paul says when he writes to the Corinthians, "whatever you do, do it for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). Fr. James will describe and discuss how to apply the rich Orthodox traditions of prayer rising from the teachings of St. Paul and the long line of the ancient Eastern church fathers.

About the presenter:
Father James Dank serves as pastor at St. John of Kronstadt Orthodox Church in Lincoln, and has been an Orthodox priest for 20 years.

---