BOROVOY, VITALI

BOROVOY, VITALI (18 January 1916– ). Born in Belarus, he studied at Vilna Theological Seminary and Warsaw University. Ordained priest in 1944 to become vice-dean of the Minsk Theological Seminary, 1944–1954, then professor of ancient church history at the Leningrad Theological Academy, 1954–1962, from 1973 to 1978 he was dean of the Moscow Patriarchal Cathedral and professor of Byzantine church history at the Moscow Theological Academy. He has been deputy chairman of the department of external affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate and professor of history of the Western Church at the Moscow Theological Academy since 1985. He has represented the Russian Orthodox Church at the World Council of Churches from 1962 to 1966 and from 1978 to 1985. From 1966 to 1972 he was a member and assistant director of the Secretariat for Faith and Order, and is a member of the Central Committee and the Faith and Order Standing Committee. From 1962 to 1965 he served as an Orthodox observer at Vatican II, following up as a member of the WCC-RCC Joint Working Group, 1965–72, and, throughout, attending Christian World Communions annual meetings, 1962–85. He was a member of the WCC Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry (BEM) steering group. His writings focus on ecumenical issues.