The Very Rev. Father Paul Wesche will speak on “The Ontological Vision of Byzantine Theology” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, in Tower Hall, room 1115, on the St. Scholastica campus.

"Ontological" refers to the nature of being, reality or ultimate substance. In his talk, Father Wesche will reflect on how the Orthodox theological engagement of Hellenistic philosophy during the Byzantine era is of perennial relevance for understanding human nature and destiny as a mystery of communion.

This is the second talk in a three-part series called "Orthodox Visions of Human Dignity and Destiny" sponsored by the Braegelman Catholic Studies Program at St. Scholastica. The third talk will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 10, in Tower Hall, room 1115. In that talk, Father Wesche will describe the Orthodox theological vision of personhood and also look at the Orthodox doctrine of the uncreated energies of God.

Father Wesche is the President of the Minnesota Eastern Orthodox Clergy Association, pastor of St. Herman’s Orthodox Church in South Minneapolis, and the Dean of the Minneapolis Deanery in the Diocese of the Midwest (Orthodox Church in America)

He has published articles in major theological journals including St. Vladimir’s Seminary Quarterly, Pro Ecclesia, Theology Today and The Greek Orthodox Theological Review.

He received his Master’s Degree in Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO, and a Master’s Degree in Theology from St. Vladimir’s Seminary in Crestwood, NY. He received his Ph.D. in Greek Patristics from Fordham University in Bronx, NY.

For more information about the series, contact The Rev. William Graham at (218) 723-6699 or wgraham@css.edu.