About the Seminar

Originally established as the Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar at the Notre Dame College, the seminar has been continuing for 39 years as a collaboration between Orthodox and Byzantine and Roman Catholic eparchies and dioceses as a free and public event. Upon the permanent closing of the College by the end of Spring 2024, John Carroll University's Theology and Religious Studies Department and the Tuohy Center for Interreligious Understanding have welcomed the Eastern Churches Seminar to its new home as of Fall 2024.

The Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar is an annual dialogue between the clergy, bishops and laity of the Orthodox and Catholic churches in the Greater Cleveland area. It began with the shared vision of Fran Babic, former director of the Lifelong Learning Center at the Notre Dame College, and Notre Dame alumna the late Eleanor Malburg ’84, administrative assistant in the College’s Pastoral Ministry Office.

The program is open to all Christians—Eastern and Western Traditions—and to all those interested in deepening their understanding of the Eastern Churches. Clergy, deacons, religious, seminarians and the faithful of our Churches are especially encouraged to participate.

41st Eastern Churches Seminar

The 41st Eastern Churches Seminar, held at John Carroll University, featured Fr. Dr. Radu Bordeianu of Duquesne University, who presented the keynote lecture:

“Yours or Mine: Why Do We Have Different Dates for Easter?”

The lecture explores one of the most visible differences among Christian traditions: why Eastern and Western Christians sometimes celebrate Easter on different dates. Fr. Bordeianu examines the historical, theological, and liturgical roots of the different calendars while considering what the question of a common date for Easter means for ecumenical dialogue and Christian unity today.

Day 2 of the 41st Eastern Churches Seminar continued at the Byzantine Catholic Church in Brecksville, Ohio, beginning with a Moleben prayer service and followed by a presentation by Fr. Dr. Radu Bordeianu.

In his talk, “Virtual Community? Parish in a Technological Age,” Fr. Bordeianu explored how digital technology is reshaping parish life, Christian community, and our understanding of presence and belonging in an increasingly connected world.

40th Eastern Churches Seminar

The 40th Eleanor Malburg Eastern Churches Seminar opened at St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio, with a celebration of Vespers, featuring singers from area Orthodox choirs.

The Seminar continued at John Carroll University the next morning, with keynote speaker Very Rev. Dr. Bogdan G. Bucur, Associate Professor of Patristics at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.

Celebrating the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, the seminar explored the Nicene Creed, its roots in the early Church, and its continuing importance for Christian faith and unity.

39th Eastern Churches Seminar

The 39th Eastern Churches Seminar on November 9, 2024, was designed as a discussion about the ECS, about its programs and mission, and about what would make it more successful as it enters its fortieth year in its new home, John Carroll University.

Prof. Kenneth Kovach presented a brief history of the ECS in a talk titled “To Be or Not To Be,” followed by Dr. Ovidiu Vatamanu’s presentation on “Engaging Youth” and Dr. Joyce Banjac’s discussion of “The Conciliar Context.”

The program concluded with a dialogue featuring champions of the Eastern Churches Seminar, moderated by Prof. Kenneth Kovach. Participants shared their personal connections to the ECS and explored its evolving purpose, highlighting the importance of sustaining its legacy, engaging younger generations, and strengthening dialogue among Eastern and Western Christian traditions.

38th Eastern Churches Seminar

Frederica Mathewes-Green: “Praying the Jesus Prayer” St Mary Romanian Orthodox Cathedral (2023)

37th Eastern Churches Seminar

“After the Deluge: What Will It Mean to Be Church in Post-Pandemic Times?” The Most Rev. John Michael Botean, bishop of the Romanian Eparchy of St George the Martyr in Canton, OH (2021)

36th Eastern Churches Seminar

Very Rev. Alexander Garklavs: “Eucharist in Art and Life.” (2020)

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