St. Barnabas Orthodox Church

Living in Communion with Others

With Philip Mamalakis Phd.

Friday, November 11 and Saturday November 12, 2011

Unmarrieds • Marriage • Parenting

Human beings are creatures in relationship. Spiritual life and death are at stake in our relations with others. In this fallen world the unity of human beings has been broken and we live in isolation. In Christ, however, death has been defeated, inner hell transformed into the Church, we no longer need to have enemies and no one is separated from the other. 

 
Orthodox Christian Tradition teaches that to enter into God is to participate in the immense movement of the love of the Holy Trinity. This unity through Christ finds expression in the Holy Spirit whom the whole of Orthodox Holy Tradition, from St Paul and St John onwards, calls the spirit of communion. This is nothing other than the translation into the human situation - for the unmarried person living in the world, the married person and parents of children - of the majestic unity of the Trinity.    
 
How do we open ourselves to each other and to God in the light of the Resurrection, considering the sick and pathological behaviors and conditions we often bring with us into our relationships? 
 
Drawing from both contemporary psychology and from the Church Fathers, Dr Philip Mamalakis, licensed Orthodox marriage and family therapist, will lead us to the confluence of contemporary mental health theory, research and practice and Orthodox theology, in a down-to-earth and practical way for our non-professional audience of laity and clergy.




In this series of three seminars – which will allow time and opportunity for interaction – our popular guest speaker, Dr Philip Mamalakis, family and marriage therapist and Professor of Pastoral Care at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary, will explore the mystery as well as the challenges of developing and building healthy, redemptive relationships, focusing on three relationship groups in particular – unmarried persons (singles, divorced, and widowed), married persons, and parents – within the context of contemporary psychology and the therapeutic tradition of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. In addition to the seminars, there will be ample time for group Q & A.

 

Philip Mamalakis, PhD

Dr Philip Mamalakis teaches pastoral care at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary in Boston. His professional interests are in Orthodox pastoral theology and marriage, family, and parenting. His interests also include the interface of contemporary mental health theory, research and practice, and Orthodox theology. He has published articles on therapists in congregations, works with couples and families in crisis, and Orthodox marital counseling. He is currently collaborating with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department of Marriage and Family in developing an Orthodox marriage preparation program. His research is in the areas of Orthodox pastoral theology, Orthodox parenting, and marriage and family life. He has presented numerous talks, seminars, and conducted retreats on marriage, family life, parenting, and orthodox perspectives on mental health. Dr Philip also has a private counseling practice in Newton, Massachusetts. 

Dr Philip is one of the most engaging public speakers in the Eastern Orthodox Church. This is his exclusive seminar-retreat in southern California in 2011.

  • St. Barnabas Fall SeminarSt. Barnabas Fall Seminar
  • AboutAbout
  • Speaker BioSpeaker Bio