41st Eastern Churches Seminar
Fr. Dr. Radu Bordeianu of Duquesne University to Explore the Liturgical Calendar and Parish Life in the Digital Age
The Eastern Churches Seminar is an annual ecumenical gathering that brings together clergy, bishops, scholars, and laity from the Orthodox, Byzantine Catholic, and Roman Catholic traditions across Greater Cleveland. Founded more than forty years ago through the vision of Notre Dame College's Lifelong Learning Center and Eleanor Malburg '84, the seminar has long served as a free public forum for Christians of Eastern and Western traditions—and all who are interested in the Eastern Churches—to learn, reflect, and engage in meaningful dialogue.
Since 2024, the seminar has been hosted by the Theology and Religious Studies Department and the Tuohy Center for Interreligious Understanding at John Carroll University, continuing its longstanding mission of fostering mutual understanding and respect through shared learning and ecumenical conversation.
The 41st Eastern Churches Seminar will begin with a keynote lecture by Fr. Dr. Radu Bordeianu, Professor of Theology at Duquesne University, titled "Yours or Mine: Why Do We Have Different Dates for Easter?" The opening session will take place from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at St. Francis Chapel on the John Carroll University campus and will be followed by a complimentary pizza reception in the Lombardo Student Center Atrium.
The seminar will continue the following morning at St. Joseph Byzantine Catholic Church in Brecksville, Ohio, beginning at 10:00 am with the Moleben liturgical service followed by Fr. Bordeianu's presentation, "Virtual Community? The Parish in a Technological Age," exploring the opportunities and challenges of cultivating Christian community in an increasingly digital world.
The seminar is presented by the Tuohy Center for Interreligious Understanding at John Carroll University, St. Joseph Byzantine Catholic Church, and the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. The program is free and open to the public.
Download the Eastern Churches Seminar poster (PNG)
Event program
Call for Sponsors
The Eastern Churches Seminar planning committee, comprised of clergy and laity from the Orthodox, Byzantine Catholic, and Roman Catholic traditions, seeks patrons to help defray seminar expenses. Donors contributing at least one hundred dollars will be listed on the patron page of the seminar program, and receive an invitation to the special ECS Board lunch at the end of the event.
Donations may be made by check, payable to John Carroll University. Please write “Eastern Churches Seminar” in the memo line and mail to:
Mailing address
Tuohy Center for Interreligious Understanding
John Carroll University
1 John Carroll Boulevard
University Heights, OH 44118
For questions, contact ESC Committee Co-Chair, Kenneth J. Kovach at (216) 704-7322 or coachicbc@gmail.com.
You can contact the Tuohy Center for Interreligious Understanding at tuohycenter@jcu.edu.
