"Nationalism, Statism and the Orthodox Church"

"Nationalism, Statism and the Orthodox Church"

 

Davor Dzalto

 

Thursday, January 26/4:00

IMU Maple Room

 

Nationalism, ethnophyletism and statism are constant challenges that Orthodoxy faces in those countries where it is the traditional and dominant faith. Developments in post-communist and post-socialist countries have enabled the Orthodox Church and religion in general to occupy a prominent place in public, social, and even political life. In the ex-Yugoslav territories, religion has often been confused with national identity, nationalism,  and rightist political movements. There is a general perception that the national principle in the Church organization is a valid one and can be justified within the Orthodox theology. Although this principle is at odds with Orthodox ecclesiology, it continues to be the dominant expression of Orthodoxy throughout the Orthodox world. Even outside the traditional Orthodox countries, where Orthodoxy cannot be confused with a national tradition and culture, we can observe similar developments. Orthodoxy again seems to be perceived as an ideological fuel which promotes nationalism and statism. 

 

Art historian, theologian, and iconographer Davor Dzalto is Professor of History and Theory of Art at University of Niš (Serbia). He taught and conducted research at IU-Bloomington as a Junior Faculty Development Program Fellow in Spring 2009 and is currently a Fulbright Visiting Scholar in the Department of Theology and Orthodox Christian Studies at  Fordham University.

 

Sponsors: Russian and East European Institute, Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis

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