Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Saint Paisius Of Hilendar – The Bulgarian Jesus, Son Of Sirach, Ivaylo Naydenov

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Despite a temporal gap of nearly twenty centuries, a comparative analysis of Jesus, Son of Sirach, and Saint Paisius of Hilendar reveals striking thematic and ideological parallels. Both authors, writing in times of cultural and political upheaval, sought to reaffirm religious and national identity in response to external pressures—Hellenization in the case of Sirach and Greek influence within the Ottoman Empire for Paisius. Their works emphasize wisdom, historical consciousness, and spiritual resilience as tools for social and national revival. By situating their narratives within broader historical and theological frameworks, they provide models of cultural resistance that transcend their immediate contexts.

Revival Of Tengrism In Kazakhstan As Ancient Belief Of The Kazakh Nation: Prospects And Challenges, Jolaman Bulan, Tussipkhan Imammadi, Aiymzhan Ryskiyeva, Asset Kuranbek

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This research investigates the resurgence of Tengrism, an ancestral belief system native to Kazakhstan. This traditional religion, rooted in ancient history, encompasses an array of beliefs and rituals that focus on the worship of celestial deity known as Tengri and various forces of nature. It provides a thorough analysis of how public attitudes towards Tengrism and its role within the cultural fabric of the Kazakh people have shifted. The paper also addresses the circumstances that have facilitated Tengrism's revival in the independent nation of Kazakhstan, including issues of national identity, cultural heritage, and spiritual rejuvenation. Furthermore, it explores a range …

Guarding The Faith Or Resisting Dialogue?: Anti-Ecumenical Tendencies In Bulgarian Orthodoxy, Ioannis Kaminis

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This paper explores the historical, theological, and ideological roots of anti-ecumenical tendencies within the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC), especially in the post-communist period. It examines whether the BOC's resistance to ecumenical dialogue genuinely reflects a defense of Orthodox tradition or represents a reactionary posture shaped by national, political, and ecclesiastical factors. Tracing the development of anti-ecumenism from the 19th-century schism with the Ecumenical Patriarchate through the communist era to the post-1990s resurgence of neo-traditionalist rhetoric, the study reveals how the convergence of ecclesial nationalism, ideological manipulation under communism, and theological exclusivism has produced a deep mistrust of ecumenical engagement. Influential …

Digital Orthodoxy And Political Populism In Eastern Europe: How Orthodox Media Facilitate Political Mobilization, Dmytro Garaschuk, Oleh Sokolovskyi

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article examines the intersection of Orthodox digital media and political populism in Eastern Europe, focusing on how religious institutions utilize digital platforms to facilitate political mobilization, reinforce nationalistic narratives, and undermine democratic institutions. Drawing on a comparative analysis of six countries–Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Georgia, and Montenegro–the study identifies a shared ideological matrix that fuses populist rhetoric with theological motifs. The research highlights the strategic use of digital media by Orthodox actors to construct moral binaries, sacralize political resistance, and disseminate disinformation framed in religious language. Particular attention is given to the role of the Russian Orthodox Church and …

Estonian And Ukrainian Experience Of Getting Out From Under The Influence Of The Moscow Patriarchate, Bohdan Synchak

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The subject of this study is the problem of state interference in church life within the context of the need to counteract threats posed by the Moscow Patriarchate to the national security of Ukraine and Estonia. A comparative analysis of the experiences of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (EOC MP) and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) (UOC (MP)) in the process of eliminating Russian influence will contribute to a better understanding of the main issues that arise in this context. In Ukraine, there are two distinct Orthodox churches: the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) (UOC MP) …

Topics Of Historical Memory In The Pr Activities Of Religious Organizations In Present-Day Ukraine, Vadym Sluysar, Yuliia Kondratiuk, Iryna Vitiuk, Oleksandr Mosienko

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article analyzes the role of religious organizations in Ukraine in shaping and preserving historical memory in the context of their PR activities. The article examines the contribution of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), the Roman Catholic Church (RCC), Protestant denominations, and Muslim organizations to the popularization of objective historical narratives. Through participation in memorial events, restoration of monuments, organization of scientific conferences, exhibitions, lectures, and publication of historical materials, religious organizations contribute to the formation of national and civic identity. Particular attention is paid to the coverage of tragic events such as the Holodomor, the deportation of Crimean …

Role And Evolution Of Islamic Education In Kazakhstan, Yeleukhan Kaliyeva, Albina Duissenbayeva, Aııtmamat Karıev, Bekzhan A. Azhimov

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This paper examines the evolution of religious education and the professional development of clergy in Kazakhstan, with particular emphasis on the establishment of institutions aimed at enhancing the competencies of imams and religious educators. It traces the evolution of the Islamic educational system throughout various historical periods until the present day. Particular focus is given to blending Islamic teachings with contemporary educational structures. The researchers heuristically analyzed the current state of the field, identified the main problems, and suggested prospects for Islamic education for further development. The research utilizes the historical method, which uses primary and secondary data sources. This …

Ideas Of The "Russian World" And Ukraine: Value Epicrises On The Ukrainian Orthodox Church Under The Moscow Patriarchate, Oleksandr Brodetskyi, Iryna Horokholinska

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Against the background of the identity, jurisdictional, and institutional crossroads in which contemporary Ukrainian Orthodoxy finds itself, the authors analyze the mental, value-related, and personal (linked to the “human factor”) influences in Ukraine of the destructive and militant ideology of the “Russian World” (Russkiy Mir), as well as the degree of involvement of leading functionaries of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the dissemination of these influences.

The article reveals the mechanisms of the corrosion of spirituality among the ecclesiastical elites of Russia and their satellites in Ukraine. This corrosion is manifested in the substitution of the Church’s …

Theology Of Creation In The Bulgarian Theology Of The 20th Century, Svetoslav Ribolov

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Theology of Creation in 20th-century Bulgaria emerged within the broader debate about the role of religious education in state schools and the tension between the prevailing influence of evolutionary theory and a scientific approach to the Orthodox Church’s traditional spiritual heritage. Before World War 2, the primary social and intellectual motivation behind the Theology of Creation in Bulgaria was rooted in an apologetic struggle against secular ideas, which were embraced by a significant portion of Bulgarian society at the time. In the second half of the 20th century, however, this discourse gradually evolved to incorporate more denominationally oriented theological perspectives, …

The Image Of Ukrainian Protestantism As An Attempt Of Self-Analysis: Results Of The Expert Survey 2018-2024, Maksym Balaklytskyi, Olga Polumysna

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article examines the changes in Ukrainian Protestantism during 2018-2024 based on expert surveys. The authors explore the adaptive strategies of Protestant communities in response to the challenges of war and social transformations. The introduction of new forms of ministry, such as mobile churches, has supported believers in times of crisis. Particular attention is given to the consequences of the armed conflict, including community losses, infrastructure destruction, displacement of members, and the humanitarian activities of churches. The role of Protestant communities in enhancing Ukraine’s social resilience is highlighted, along with the importance of the legislative recognition of chaplains, which legitimizes …

Innovating Chaplaincy Education: Integrating Nonreligious Spiritual Care Interventions To Serve A Diverse Patient Population, Dianne Dragon

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The transformation to the curriculum taught in chaplain training in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) will now address the spiritual needs of a more diverse, nonreligious, and interfaith population in the United States. Historically rooted in religious frameworks, CPE curricula are evolving to incorporate non-religious spiritual care interventions and promote research literacy among chaplains. This dissertation study uses descriptive analysis to present a study surveying CPE educators across over 300 U.S. based CPE centers to explore teaching practices and adaptation strategies. Findings reveal that integrating evidence-based methods and interdisciplinary collaboration is key to addressing inclusivity and professional competency in chaplaincy. By …

Black Birth Work As Radical Praxis: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Inquiry Of Leadership Among Black Birth Workers, Lesa C. Clark

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This hermeneutic phenomenological study explores the leadership experiences of Black birth workers (BBWs), revealing critical insights into leadership dynamics within maternal healthcare. Through a theoretical framework integrating African feminism, Black feminism, and anti-racist feminism, the research examines how BBWs conceptualize and enact leadership through embodied, relational, and liberatory approaches. This study addresses a significant gap in leadership literature, particularly regarding generational knowledge and practices of BBWs, which remain understudied despite their vital role in Black maternal healthcare. This study reveals distinct leadership perspectives and methodologies through in-depth interviews with eight BBWs and a detailed interpretive analysis. The findings contribute to …

Phonotactic Behavior Of Male Cricket Acheta Domesticus In Relation To Age And Syllable Period, Dana Husana, Jessica Rim, David Mbungu, Benjamin Navia

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Statistical Survey Of Magnetic Flux Integral Quantities In Saturn's Magnetosphere, Xuanye Ma, Simon Wing, P. A. Delamere, J. Johnson, B. Burkholder

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

“Were The Creation Days Twenty-Four-Hour Days Or Indefinite Periods Of Time?”, Jiri Moskala

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Andrews Fall 2025 Enrollment And Rankings Report, Anthony Bosman

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Scripture Spotlight: Do The Wicked Burn Forever In Hell?, Thomas Shepherd

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Scripture Spotlight: What Does Jesus Mean When He Says We Are To Be "Perfect"?, Thomas Shepherd

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Teologija Ellen G. White, Denis Fortin

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Adventist Education, Educational Attainment, Belief In The Spirit Of Prophecy: A Trifold Relationship, Safary Wa-Mbaleka, Karl Bailey

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Prediction Of The Wave Normal Angle Of Proton-Band Emic Waves Near Geosynchronous Orbit, Eun-Hwa Kim, Khan-Hyuk Kim, J. Johnson, P. A. Damiano, Syun'ichi Shiraiwa, Wesley Martin

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Metaphoric Sense Developments In The Names Of Places Of Worship In Contemporary American English, John G. Newman, Sylwester Łodej

Writing and Language Studies Faculty Publications

This paper offers an account of the metaphorical extension of the names of religious houses of worship such as temple, church, mosque, and synagogue in contemporary American English, reflecting processes of linguistic secularization. Using data from the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA), the study investigates how the meanings of religious terms enter into secular domains, signalling shifts in societal perceptions of religious experience. The findings show that temple and church frequently undergo metaphorization, appearing in phrases like temple of learning and church of football, where non-religious modifiers drive semantic extension. These terms increasingly denote secular places characterized by human …

How The Story Of Jesus Is Aiding This Generation Of Ucc Clergy To Make Sense Of Their Vocation In A Secular Age, Sheila Macdonald Macgregor, Sheila G. Macgregor Rev.

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This dissertation, an exercise in practical theology, undertakes two tasks. First, it explores the Christology of fourteen active United Church of Canada (UCC) clergy trained and/or ordained/commissioned in the first two decades of the twenty-first century. Secondly, given that their training, and the first years of their ministries, have taken place against a background of overwhelming secularism and unprecedented church decline, it also examines how their understanding of Jesus Christ and his story are aiding them to make sense of their vocation in a secular age. Charles Taylor’s 2007 magnum opus, A Secular Age provides the backdrop for this study. …

The Gospel According To Matthew: Emphasizing Jesus’ Character In Us & His Mission Through Us, Mark E. Killam

Academic Books

No abstract provided.

A Wesley Bibliography. -- Fourteenth Edition, Kenneth J. Collins

Academic Books

No abstract provided.

Consider The Lilies: How Jesus Saves People And The Land, Howard A. Snyder

Academic Books

No abstract provided.

Essential Elements Of Leadership Style That Contribute To Student Achievement, Pardon Mwansa

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Suicide Awareness And Crisis Planning: Trauma Responsive Techniques For Educators, Dustin Young, Shannon Trecartin

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Is There A Future For The Missiological Study Of Worldview?, Paulo Oliveira

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Exploring Undergraduate Understanding And Learning Of Catholic Social Teaching In Catholic Higher Education, Kenny Van Tilburg

Dissertations

Since the Second Vatican Council in the mid-1960s, Catholic higher education (CHE) has wrestled with its Catholic identity in a changing landscape and changing world (Gallin, 1996, 2000; Gleason, 1995; Morey & Piderit, 2006). A big component of this identity-recognition process is the continued evolution and inclusion of Catholic social teaching (CST) in the educational approach of CHE. Despite its importance, much evidence has suggested CST is underwhelmingly present in the education of contemporary CHE (Beyer, 2021; Galligan-Stierle, 2014; Hudson et al., 2018; Nickerson & Dammer, 2018; Reed-Bouley, 2016; Sullivan & Pagnucco, 2014; United States Conference of Catholic Bishops [USCCB], …