Greetings, dear readers. Thank you as ever for welcoming my scribblings into your inbox. Forgive a rapid follow-up to yesterday’s missive, but there are two things I’d like to share with you today.
1. Orthodox Theological College in Tokyo
Regular readers will know that, though I am an Anglican priest, my theological leanings are distinctly Eastward oriented - thanks, in no small part, to my study of Dionysius. I’m therefore excited to announce that the Romanian Orthodox Church in Tokyo is contemplating the establishment of a new school of theology. The school would offer classes in Scripture, Patristics, Church History, Byzantine music and more, all from an Orthodox perspective but within the context of mission in Japan. We are just starting to gauge interest in the possibilities of online, in-person, hybrid or even residential courses, full-time, part-time or on an ad hoc basis. Courses would be open to anyone, not only the Orthodox faithful. If you’re interested, please could you spare 3-4 minutes to fill in this short survey?
2. Liturgical Asia Podcast
Did you know that I co-host Liturgical Asia, a podcast on Christian mission and inculturation in Asia? If you are interested in Asian, especially traditional Japanese culture and religion, and how they relate to Christian theology and evangelism, this is for you. We’re about to upload an episode on Christianity among the Igorot people of the Philippines, with our guest Bishop Ray Frenzel Piluden of Santiago Diocese. Most recently, Fr Berek Smith has talked to us about tea ceremony and Christianity. We’ve got an episode with Fr Franco Sottocornola, a monk from the shared Buddhist-Christian monastery of Shinmeizan. Nathan Chan has been on air to talk to us about Christianity in Taiwan, and Fr Gavin McAdam gave us his reading of Japanese theologian Kazoh Kitamori. There is more on the podcast’s Substack page, so if you want new episodes (roughly twice a month) direct in your inbox, I hope you will consider subscribing!
In the meantime, if there is anything in particular you would like me to write about, I’m open to requests. Pax et bonum.
Fr Thomas