St. Denys Theological Institute
Encyclopedia
The St. Denys Orthodox Theological Institute of Paris was founded in 1944 by members of the Cathedral of St. Irenaeus in Paris
(of the Orthodox Church of France
) and a number of French intellectual
s who were not themselves Orthodox (the French Catholic
philosopher Gabriel Marcel
, for example, was the first registrar), and placed under the patronage of Saint
Denys the Areopagite
. The Institute was founded with the assistance of the Brotherhood of St. Photius and with the blessing of Patriarch Sergius I (Stragorodsky) of Moscow . One purpose of the Institute was to provide theological education in the French language, as all classes at the St. Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute in Paris were, at the time, taught only in Russian. Vladimir Lossky
served as dean from the founding of the Institute until 1953. During the academic year 1945-1946, two members of the St. Sergius faculty, Alexander Schmemann
and Constantine Andronikoff, taught at St. Denys but the political climate of the Russian Church in Paris at the time caused them to withdraw the next year.
Although steeped in the Russian tradition from which it sprang, the Institute was oriented toward the West. It has remained close to the French academic world, drawing a number of its faculty from the University of Paris, including the Sorbonne.
The first graduate of the Institute to be ordained
to the priest
hood later became Archbishop Peter (l'Huillier) of New York, in the Orthodox Church in America
.
Today the Institute functions under the auspices of the Orthodox Church of France
, which is functions independently from the autocephalous Orthodox Churches.
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
(of the Orthodox Church of France
Orthodox Church of France
The Orthodox Church of France is an autonomous Orthodox church in France, composed of a single diocese, that follows Western Rite Orthodoxy...
) and a number of French intellectual
Intellectual
An intellectual is a person who uses intelligence and critical or analytical reasoning in either a professional or a personal capacity.- Terminology and endeavours :"Intellectual" can denote four types of persons:...
s who were not themselves Orthodox (the French Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
philosopher Gabriel Marcel
Gabriel Marcel
Gabriel Honoré Marcel was a French philosopher, a leading Christian existentialist, and author of about 30 plays.He focused on the modern individual's struggle in a technologically dehumanizing society...
, for example, was the first registrar), and placed under the patronage of Saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
Denys the Areopagite
Dionysius the Areopagite
Dionysius the Areopagite was a judge of the Areopagus who, as related in the Acts of the Apostles, , was converted to Christianity by the preaching of the Apostle Paul during the Areopagus sermon...
. The Institute was founded with the assistance of the Brotherhood of St. Photius and with the blessing of Patriarch Sergius I (Stragorodsky) of Moscow . One purpose of the Institute was to provide theological education in the French language, as all classes at the St. Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute in Paris were, at the time, taught only in Russian. Vladimir Lossky
Vladimir Lossky
Vladimir Nikolayevich Lossky was an influential Eastern Orthodox theologian in exile from Russia. He emphasized theosis as the main principle of Orthodox Christianity....
served as dean from the founding of the Institute until 1953. During the academic year 1945-1946, two members of the St. Sergius faculty, Alexander Schmemann
Alexander Schmemann
Alexander Schmemann was a prominent 20th century Orthodox Christian priest, teacher, and writer.-Early life:...
and Constantine Andronikoff, taught at St. Denys but the political climate of the Russian Church in Paris at the time caused them to withdraw the next year.
Although steeped in the Russian tradition from which it sprang, the Institute was oriented toward the West. It has remained close to the French academic world, drawing a number of its faculty from the University of Paris, including the Sorbonne.
The first graduate of the Institute to be ordained
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
to the priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
hood later became Archbishop Peter (l'Huillier) of New York, in the Orthodox Church in America
Orthodox Church in America
The Orthodox Church in America is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church in North America. Its primate is Metropolitan Jonah , who was elected on November 12, 2008, and was formally installed on December 28, 2008...
.
Today the Institute functions under the auspices of the Orthodox Church of France
Orthodox Church of France
The Orthodox Church of France is an autonomous Orthodox church in France, composed of a single diocese, that follows Western Rite Orthodoxy...
, which is functions independently from the autocephalous Orthodox Churches.
External links
- The St. Denys Institute (in French)