The 2nd international scientific conference “Philosophy of Religion in the East and West” began its work in the southern capital

May 16, 2024. Alma-Ata. In the throne room of the spiritual, cultural and administrative center of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District named after Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov), with the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the opening of the II international scientific conference “Philosophy of Religion in the East and West” took place.

The forum was organized by: Alma-Ata Orthodox Theological Seminary, the Department of Russian and Byzantine Philosophy of the John Paul II Faculty of Philosophy in Krakow, the UNESCO Department for the Study of World Culture and Religions of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University named after B.N. Yeltsin (Bishkek), Jesuit Society in Kyrgyzstan.

The conference, chaired by Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, was attended by: Vicar of the Astana diocese, Bishop of Talgar Veniamin, Secretary of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, Honored Artist of Russia O.N. Ovchinnikov; dean of the parishes of Almaty, mitered archpriest Valery Zakharov, acting rector of the Alma-Ata Theological Seminary Archpriest Evgeny Ivanov, Vice-Rector for Educational Work Priest John Livinsky, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Priest Pyotr Bakhtiyarov, Vice-Rector for Scientific Work, Candidate of Philosophical Sciences A.P. Solovyov, head of the biblical and theological department, candidate of theology priest Oleg Lisin, head of the church history department archpriest Alexander Gaichenya, head of the regency department of the APDS, Honored Worker of Culture of the Russian Federation L.E. Goricheva, head of the church practical department, candidate of theology V.P. Pashkov, the head of the office of the theological school, Priest Alexander Shishlov, the clergy of the churches of the southern capital, teachers and students of the seminary, teachers and students of Sunday schools in the city, historians, local historians.

The conference also included leading experts in theological and secular humanities - representatives of higher educational institutions in Russia, Poland, Germany, Switzerland and France.

The scientific forum was opened by Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan with a welcoming speech. In his speech, the hierarch, in particular, noted: “On the bright Easter days, I am glad to welcome the participants of the II international scientific conference “Philosophy of Religion in the East and West” in the spiritual, cultural and educational center of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, which bears the name of the confessor of the faith, Metropolitan Joseph (Chernov ). Last year, the first such conference was held in the neighboring country – Kyrgyzstan. This year, scientists are being welcomed by the blessed land of Kazakhstan thanks to the joint efforts of the Almaty Orthodox Theological Seminary and the Faculty of Philosophy of the Pontifical John Paul II University in Krakow. It is gratifying to see that a considerable number of scientists from different countries are interested in studying the religious sphere of life in the modern world. The name of the conference suggests a diverse topic and a wide range of reports and speeches, since the study of issues of philosophy, theology and religious studies represents an incredibly broad field for intellectual work. The very fact of our increased attention to the philosophy of religion as a science and academic discipline indicates, among other things, our dissatisfaction with the current picture of existence. We cannot immediately provide answers to all the pressing questions that will be raised in the reports of the conference participants and asked to the speakers by their listeners. I urge you to be thoughtful, to reject one-sided and categorical judgments, to respect the opinions of opponents on our paths to knowledge of the Truth. I wish all the participants of the II International Scientific Conference “Philosophy of Religion in the East and West” blessed success in scientific works in the philosophical field.”

All those present were also greeted by the rector of the Alma-Ata Orthodox Theological Seminary, Archpriest Evgeniy Ivanov: “The theological school, created in 2010 on the basis of the previously existing diocesan theological school, is the main source of personnel for the dioceses of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District. I would like to note that our students are natives of this land, so they are well aware of the features of the Central Asian region, the history of their country, the cultural traditions and mentality of the ethnic groups living in the Republic, and most importantly, this is their Motherland, they love Kazakhstan, they love their people. Alma-Ata Seminary has a state license for the right to carry out educational activities in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Since 2010, the seminary has trained more than 400 specialists in the field of Orthodox theological sciences. Many graduates took holy orders, and now carry out their pastoral work in the parishes of Kazakhstan, Russia and other countries, and some, after graduating from the Theological Academies, joined the teaching corporation of the Alma-Ata Seminary. The efforts made by the hierarchy and clergy of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District to develop a center for spiritual education and enlightenment in Almaty are bearing fruit - our seminary is alive and improving. We all have a noble goal - the main higher theological school of the Metropolitan District must correspond to its high title not only in terms of curriculum and programs, but also in the quality of real knowledge and practical skills of students,” said, in particular, the rector of the theological school.
The importance of live communication within the forum was noted in her address by the head of the department of Russian and Byzantine philosophy of the John Paul II Faculty of Philosophy in Krakow, Professor Sister Teresa Obolewicz.

After this, the working part of the event opened with the first report of the forum, “The Image of Tradition in Heidegger’s Early Works: Between Theoretical Attitude and the Experience of Factuality,” delivered by the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy of the Russian State Humanitarian University S.A. Konacheva.

After the break, the conference continued its work in five thematic sections: “Philosophy of religion and religious studies: past and present,” “Philosophical theology and traditional theology: problems of interaction in the past and in the present,” “Religious philosophy in Russia,” the USSR and Russian emigration: ideas and personalities”, “Religious ideas and philosophy of religion in Russia and Russian emigration: sociocultural context”, “Identities and value guidelines of the East and West”. In total, more than 25 reports were read on the first day of the conference.

On May 17-18, the forum participants will continue their work. On Friday, as part of the conference, a round table will be held on the topic “Theology and metaphysics of the secular and post-secular: theological and philosophical premises of the theories of secularization and the post-secular.” On May 18, the results of the scientific forum will be summed up.

A more detailed list of participants and topics of reports can be found on the official website of the Alma-Ata Orthodox Theological Seminary.