Professor John Behr awarded highest distinction of Romanian Diocese of Northern Europe

John Behr, a professor at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, received the highest award of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe last Friday.

The “Northern Cross” was awarded to Rev. John Behr by Bishop Macarie during a ceremony at the diocesan chapel in Bergen, Norway.

Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe bestowed this title of honor as a token of appreciation for Father John Behr’s entire academic career, his extensive pastoral work, and particularly for “the harmonious manner in which he transmitted to the West the two-millennium Orthodox therapeutic tradition.”

The ceremony took place at the end of the Vespers service on Friday, April 21, 2023.

Father John Behr spoke to those present about how the Resurrection of Christ transforms death into the beginning of a new life that cannot be touched by death, a life that begins for every Christian at the moment of Baptism.

Simultaneously, he expressed his delight in observing how the Romanian community in Bergen is establishing itself in Norway and in serving at the altar with Orthodox priests of various nationalities in the unity of the one Orthodox faith.

Bishop Macarie also presented Fr John with an icon depicting Saint Joseph the Hesychast, the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe reports.

Professor John Behr

One of the most important contemporary Orthodox theologians, Professor John Behr, has extensive experience in Orthodox theological education and has an impressive array of academic achievements, gaining international recognition. In addition, he devoted his career to studying patristics, significantly contributing to this field.

He completed his doctoral studies in 1995 under the guidance of Professor Andrew Louth.

Starting in 2016, he held multiple positions at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in the United States. In addition, he works as an associate professor at prestigious universities in the West, including Fordham University and Harvard Divinity School.

Father John Behr was ordained to the priesthood in the Orthodox Church of America in 2001.

In 2017, he received the title of Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Divinity in Melbourne.

Photography courtesy of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Northern Europe
Source: basilica.ro