Saturday, March 10, 2012

FAITH & SCIENCE
Presented by Fr Victor Gorodenchuk
Pastor, St Stephen Cathedral, Philadelphia

In light of the history & nature of science, should we “dogmatize” that which current science believes is a well-established fact about such things as development of the Universe, of life, or of the writing of the Scriptures?
 
Is the story of Creation in Gen. 1 and 2 an attempt at a scientific description of how Creation happened?  If science cannot explain everything about this world, is there another way in which we can approach Mystery?

Can there be a balance between scientific & mystical, between material & spiritual, between earth & heaven, so that the whole of Creation can lead us to the Creator?

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Babysitting & children’s activities will be provided. (Please call to register.)

There is no charge for this event.
To assist us in our planning, however, please call to let us know that you are coming.
~~ An offering will be received ~~

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Retreat Schedule:
 9:00 a.m.            Welcome & Refreshments
 9:30 a.m.            3rd Hour & 1st Session - What We Think We Know
10:45 a.m.           Break
11:00 a.m.            6th Hour & 2nd Session - Does the Scientific Approach Hold all the Keys?
12:30 p.m.            Lenten Luncheon
 1:30 p.m.             3rd Session  - The Creation Story in Genesis: More than Meets the Eye
 3:00 p.m.             9th Hour & Akathist “Glory to God for all Things”
 4:00 - 4:30 p.m.   Concluding remarks
                                  - Finding a Balance so all of Creation can lead us to the Creator
 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.   Q & A, Coffee, Fellowship, Book Table, and Confessions
 6:00 p.m.              Vespers

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Fr. Victor Gorodenchuk was born and raised in the Ukraine, which until early 1990s was part of Soviet Union. He grew up in a society that extolled science and often wrote off religion as only fit for the “uneducated.” After graduating High School, Fr. Victor went on to pursue his interest in physics and in 1995 received degree of Master of Science from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. While studying in Moscow, he discovered for himself Christian faith and through much discussion and reading was convinced of the truth of the beliefs of the Orthodox Church. In 1996, Fr. Victor received an opportunity to come to the United States to study at St. Tikhon's Theological Seminary. He was ordained to Holy Priesthood in 2004 and in 2005 he and his family moved to Philadelphia to serve at St. Stephen Orthodox Cathedral. Fr. Victor continues to have a lively interest in the questions of relationship of faith and science, both as these questions are presented by our society and as they can be viewed in the light of continuing advancements in our understanding of the Creation.