Volume 1 - October 2025
Journal of Orthodox Academic Society
Orthodox Academic Society Journal
The Orthodox Academic Society Journal (OASJ) is a peer reviewed journal produced by graduate students of the Antiochian House of Studies (AHOS) for public access and distribution. The editorial board consists of PhD students under guidance of the President and the Academic Dean of AHOS. The OASJ consists of select papers that have been presented at OAS Symposia.
The papers presented herein express exclusively the authors’ opinion.
The Orthodox Academic Society (OAS), under the aegis of the Antiochian House of Studies (AHOS), has as its mission to foster vibrant academic theological interactions among AHOS students, alumni, faculty and scholars-at-large, whose research and interests are aligned with the Orthodox Christian Tradition. OAS Symposia are biannual events that offer AHOS graduate students a chance to present, discuss and defend their academic work before the AHOS community.
Opening Letters
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America
His Eminence The Most Reverend Metropolitan SABA
President of AHOS
V. Rev. Michel Najim (Ph.D)
Academic Dean
Rt. Rev. Fr. Fadi Rabbat (Ph.D)
Editorial Board
Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Fadi Rabbat, Editor in chief
Fr. Jeffrey (Fmr. Dn. Simeon) Spencer, PhD student
Fr. Cosmin Sicoe, PhD student
Papers
Deified by Providence: Divine Providence According to the Antiochian Fathers.
Symposium: Spring OAS Symposium - 2024
Auther: Kh. Dr. Dalia Tinawi
Speaker Bio:
Born in Egypt, living in New Zealand, a mother of two, and wife of an Antiochian Orthodox priest, Dalia graduated St.Stephen’s Program in 2006, earned a MA in 2012 and a PhD degree at AHOS in 2024.
Saint Cyril’s Christology and The Chalcedonian Christological Controversy
Symposium: Winter Symposium - 2023
Auther: Darren Faber
Speaker Bio:
Raised on a spiritual diet of Pentecostal mountaintop
experiences and C.S. Lewis, Darren Faber was introduced to
Orthodoxy in 2009 by his philosophy professor. He graduated
from Wheaton College with a BA in Philosophy in 2013. He
now lives in the mountains of North Carolina with his wife and
children, enjoying songwriting, fingerpicking, and outdoor
adventures with the whole family.
Synod of Florence: The Rivalry of Pope Eugenius IV and the Council of Basel to Achieve Union with the Eastern Church
Symposium: Spring OAS Symposium - 2022
Auther: John L. Leland
Speaker Bio:
John Lowell Leland earned a master’s and a doctoral degree in
medieval studies at Yale University in 1974 and 1979 respectively.
He taught at Pikeville University (KY), Millersville University
(PA), University of Nebraska, Bowling Green State University
(OH). John taught at Salem University (WV) from 1990 to
2003 and again from 2005 and 2016. On September 1, 2022
he earned a master’s degree in Applied Orthodox Theology
from the Antiochian House of Studies. He was a member of
the Society for Creative Anachronism. He reposed on May 15,
2024. May his memory be eternal!
Gender Dysphoria and Transgenderism from a Scientific Perspective
Symposium: Spring OAS Symposium - 2024
Auther: Ahdy Rofaeil , DMin
Speaker Bio:
Ahdy Rofaeil graduated from Medical School, Cairo University
in 1981, finished a Master of Science in OB-GYN, and worked
as a gynecologist for thirty years before retiring in 2014. He is a
current professor of Biology and an associate professor of Allied
Health in Cleveland, Ohio. He was ordained a subdeacon in the
Coptic Orthodox Church in 1992. He joined the Antiochian
Orthodox Church and is currently serving at St. George
Antiochian Orthodox Church in Cleveland, Ohio. He finished
his Masters in theology at the Institute of Orthodox Christian
Studies, Cambridge University, UK and Doctor of Ministry at
the Antiochian House of Studies, USA.
Cremation: an Orthodox Christian Theological and Pastoral Perspective
Symposium: Spring OAS Symposium - 2024
Auther: Fr. Cosmin Sicoe
Auther's Bio:
Fr. Cosmin has been serving Orthodox Christian Churches
in North America for the last 20 years. He was educated in
Romania, he holds a ThM from HCHC, and he is an AHOS
PhD student. His experience includes prison ministry and
teaching.