Alexander Schmemann. Under the Aspect of Eternity .......... 133

ALEXANDER SCHMEMANN. UNDER THE ASPECT OF ETERNITY

Alexander Schmemann was an influential Orthodox Christian priest, teacher, and writer. Alexander Schmemann was born in Estonia in Russian emigres family. His family moved to France, where he received his university education. From 1946 to 1951 he taught in Paris, and afterwards in New York. In 1970, he was active in the establishment of the Orthodox Church in America, which at that time became officially independent from the Russian Orthodox Church, though its autocephaly has not been universally recognized. He was an Orthodox observer for the Second Vatican Council of the Roman Catholic Church from 1962 to 1965. Schmemann was the longtime Dean of St Vladimir’s Seminary in New York, he was one of the most influential Orthodox theologians of the 20th Century. Fr. John Meyendorff, writes that his theological worldview was essentially shaped during the Paris years, and under the influence of Catholic thinkers such as Jean Danielou and Louis Bouyer. The main issues addressed in this paper are: man as „homo adorans”, what is meant by „Church”, polemic against religion, difference between theology or philosophy, between ideologies or reality. Particular attention is paid to the term „secularism” – any kind of explanation of this world as having its meaning in itself. Thomas Hopko writes that Schmemann loved to quote the French poet, Julien Green, who said, „all is elsewhere”. All is elsewhere, and this world has its meaning from „elsewhere”. And attempt to dare to explain this world except as from God must be rejected. The world has no meaning in itself. As well as the term „religion” is discussed. Christ did not bring religion; Christ brought the Kingdom of God. Christianity is not a religion to help secular man to cope with his „problems”. Man does not have problems, he has sins. This world does not need „therapy”; it can’t be „helped”, it has to die to rise again.