1. The Faculty of Theology of the Ukrainian Catholic University in collaboration with the European Society for Catholic Theology and the Institute of Ecumenical Studies, organized an International meeting on March 4, 2016, on the topic: “Churches in Peace Building: Ecumenical Engagement for Peace and Reconciliation”. Among the speakers were: Rev. Dr. Cyril Hovorun, Sankt Ignatios Academy, Stockholm School of Theology, Sweden (“The Challenges that the Ukrainian Church face”); and the Deacon Dr. Nicholas Denysenko, Director of the Huffington Ecumenical Institute, Loyola Marymount University, CA, USA (“Identity and the Other: Receiving the Legacy of Sacramental Theology”). The Academy for Theological Studies was represented by the Academic Associate Dr. Nikolaos Asproulis, whose paper was entitled: “Towards an Orthodox Peace Theology in a Modern Era of Conflicts. A Reflection”, and was read in absentia.
To see the conference program visit the http://www.kuleuven.be/eurotheo
To read the English abstract of the paper click here
2. An International ecclesiological seminar on the general theme: “Ecclésiologie : éléments pour l’histoire d’une discipline (XVIIIe-XXe s.). Εrudition, sciences sociales, théories institutionnelles”, was organized under the responsibility of Dr. Frédéric Gabriel (Director of Studies in the National Center of Scientific Research of France, CNRS); Dr. Dominique Iogna-Prat (Director of Studies in Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales); and Dr. Alain Rauwel (Professor of the University in Bourgogne), in cooperation with the Centre d’ Études en sciences sociales du religieux, of the Institute for the Study of the History of Classical Thought of the National Center of Scientific Research /CNRS and of Ecole Normale Supérieure of Lyon.
In this seminar, an attempt was made to historically and contextually approach ecclesiology as an academic science, beyond any denominational prejudices, as well as various individual thematic topics, such as the canonical sources of the administrative system of the Church, the dynamic of the synodic institution, etc. Among the speakers were : Dr. Vassa Kontouma, Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes and Institut français d’études byzantines (“Église visible et Église invisible dans la Confession orthodoxe de Jacques de Néa Skété (1834)”), Dr. Michel Stavrou, Institute of Orthodox Theology of St Sergius, Paris (“L’ecclésiologie eucharistique du métropolite Jean Zizioulas”), Dr. Alexis Chryssostalis, Institute of Orthodox Theology of St Sergius and Unité Mixte de Recherche en Sciences historiques, philologiques et religieuses Orient et Méditerranée (“Ecclésiologie et nationalisme: le cas de l’Église de Grèce”). The Director of the Volos Academy Dr. Pantelis Kalaϊtzidis delivered a paper on the topic: “L’ecclésiologie trinitaire de Nikos Nissiotis et Nikos Matsoukas: son rapport à la hiérarchie et sa signification socio-politique”.
To see the program of the conference click here
3. From February to April 2016, in the framework of the 28th series of studies of the Free University of the Book Arcade in Athens, there was a series of ten lecturies on the general theme: “The Russian Intellectuals of the Diaspora: The renewal of Orthodox theology and history”. This series of lectures was organized in collaboration with Winchester University, Ainos Cultural Society, the Orthodox Theological Research Forum, the Fellowship of St. Alban and St. Sergius and the S.S. Gregory and Macrina House, while supported by the French and British embassies in Greece. The series of lectures was moderated by the Emeritus Professor of the Athens University Dr. Evagelos Chrysos and the Byzantinologist and Researcher at the Institute of Historical Research, National Hellenic Research Foundation, Dr. Niki Tsironi. Among the speakers were: Dr. Antonios-Emilios Tachiaos (Emeritus Professor, Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, President of the Greek Institute for Slavic Studies), Sotiris Gounelas (Writer), Rev. Dr. Andreas Andreopoulos (Professor, Department of Theology, Religious Studies and Philosophy, University of Winchester, U.K.), Dr. Christos Yannaras (Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, Panteion University, Athens, Greece), Rev. Dr. Andrew Louth (Emeritus Professor, Faculty of Theology, Durham University, U.K), Dr. Vlassios Phidas (Emeritus Professor, Faculty of Theology, University of Athens), Dr. Symeon Paschalidis (Professor, Faculty of Theology, University of Thessaloniki), Rev. Dr. Nikolaos Loudovikos (Professor, University Ecclesiastical Academy of Thessaloniki), Dr. Petros Vasiliadis (Emeritus Professor, Faculty of Theology, University of Thessaloniki), Dr. Athanasios. Ν. Papathanasiou (Chief editor, journal “Synaxi”), Metropolitan Kallistos Ware of Diokleia (Ecumenical Patriarchate), Dr. Stavros Yangazoglou (Ministry of Education, Recearch and Religious Affairs/Institute of Educational Policy, Director of the Journal Theologia), Dimitris Mavropoulos (Theologian, Director of Domos publications), Dr. Malcolm Bradshaw (Priest in the Anglican Church in Athens), Jean-François Colosimo (Writer, Professor, Institute of Orthodox Theology of St Sergius, Paris), Stavros Zoumpoulakis (President, Supervisory Council of the National Library of Greece, President of the Board of Directors, Artos Zoes Foundation). The Director of the Volos Academy for Theological Studies Dr. Pantelis Kalaitzidis, who also participated in this series of lectures, spoke on: “The Russian theology of diaspora and the challenges of an ever changing world”.
4. The first international Conference of Global Forum of Theological Educators was held in the village Dorwfeil, outside Frankfurt, Germany, from 16th to 20th May. More than 80 educators who deal with theological education (Professors, educators, missionaries etc.), coming from all around the world and representing all major Christian churches and traditions (Roman Catholic Church, Protestant Churches, Orthodox and Oriental Churches) participated in sessions and panel discussions, where various topics such as the problems, the present and future of theological education, the role of theological education in preparing pastors, the importance and contribution of ecclesiastical and geographical contingency in promoting theological education etc. were discussed. The Volos Academy for Theological Studies was represented by the Academic Associate Dr. Nikolaos Asproulis, who is also the coordinator of the Network for Ecumenical Learning in Central and Eastern Europe-NELCEE.
To read the published message of this first International Consultation click here.
5. From May 25 to 27, 2016, an International Conference entitled: “The Spirit, Hermeneutics and Dialogues” was organized by the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies of the University of Leuven, Belgium (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven). After the Greetings of the Faculty’s Dean, Professor Dr. Mathijs Lamberigts, and the introduction to the theme of the Symposium by the Professor of the same Faculty Dr. Reimund Bieringer, the following papers were presented: Dr. Anthony Godzieba, Villanova University, U.S.A. spoke on “The Question, To What Question is Biblical Hermeneutics the Answer? (Time + Identity = Interpretation)”, responded by the Professor Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, Vanderbilt University, USA; Dr. John Pawlikowski, Catholic Theological Union, U.S.A. (“The Holy Spirit: A Possible Foundation for a Catholic Theology of Religious Pluralism”); Dr. John Levison, Southern Methodist University, U.S.A. (“Scripture, Spirit, and the Future of Pneumatology”); Dr. Aikaterini Tsalampouni, Assistant Professor of Theology, University of Thessaloniki and Member of the Board of Directors of the Volos Academy for Theological Studies (“The Spirit as a Hermeneutic Lens of Israel’s Past and the Church’s Present and Future: 2 Cor 3:17-18 and Its Reception in Patristic Tradition”); Laura Tack, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium (“Christ as the Way and the Spirit as the Guide: Stumbling Blocks and Points of Inspiration in Jn. 14:6 for Jewish-Christian Dialogue”); Viorel Coman, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium (“Spirit-Christology and Logos-Christology in the Debates on the Filioque”); Ma. Marilou S. Ibita, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium (“The Spirit, Hermeneutics and Dialogues’ and ECSIP’s Dialogue School”); Anne Claar Thomasson-Rosingh, Sarum College, UK (“The Priority of Prayer in Pneumatology: Some Reflections on Ecstasy, Liminality and Romans 8”); Wolfgang Vondey, University of Birmingham, UK (“God is Spirit: Pneumatology as a Challenge to Judeo-Christian Hermeneutics of the Divine Nature”). The Director of the Volos Academy for Theological Studies Dr. Pantelis Kalaitzidis spoke on: “Eschatology and Future-oriented Hermeneutics in Contemporary Greek Orthodox Theology: Savas Agourides and Metropolitan John D. Zizioulas of Pergamon”, while the concluding reflections at the end of the conference were presented by Professor of the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies of the Catholic University in Louvain and Director of the Institute for Ecumenical Research of the same University Dr. Peter De Mey.
For further information, one can visit the website: http://theo.kuleuven.be/en/research/research_units/ru_bible/seminar-spirit-hermeneutics-dialogues/
6. On Friday, June 17, 2016, the Director of the Volos Academy for Theological Studies Dr. Pantelis Kalaitzidis was invited by the Department of Systematic Theology and the Study of Religions, Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, Catholic University of Louvain, to give a lecture on the following: “The Holy and Great Synod of the Orthodox Church and its meaning for today’s world”. The meeting was attended by many Faculty Professors, as well as post-graduate and PhD students of the Faculty while it was followed by an extremely interesting discussion on the related topics.