Peter Bouteneff
Peter Bouteneff teaches courses in theology, spirituality, and the arts at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, where he is professor of systematic theology and founding director of the Institute of Sacred Arts.
Dr. Bouteneff’s first degree is from New England Conservatory where he studied jazz and ethnomusicology. After two years living in Japan and traveling throughout Asia and Europe he landed at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, where he received his M.Div. degree in 1990. From there he went to Oxford and wrote his doctorate under the supervision of Metropolitan Kallistos Ware. For five years he was on the staff of the Faith and Order Commission at the World Council of Churches in Geneva. Since 2000 he has been bringing all of these experiences to bear on his teaching, writing, and public speaking. His close kinship with the music of Estonian composer Arvo Pärt has led to the seminary’s Arvo Pärt Project, which has blossomed into a celebrated endeavor involving high-profile concerts, conferences, and publications. From that project was born the seminary’s Institute of Sacred Arts, of which Bouteneff is founding director.
His podcast, “Luminous: Conversations on Sacred Arts” is an eclectic joy. He directs church choirs, and remains active as a jazz bassist.