Archbishop Chrysostomos of Athens (Papadopoulos): Theology and Church life during the Interwar years

Α Conference organized by the Volos Academy for Theological Studies
2 April 2016

On 2 April, 2016 the third conference of the series “Theological Portraits,” organized by the Volos Academy for Theological Studies was successfully held in Volos, at the Thessalia Conference Center (Melissiatika) on the general theme: “Archbishop Chrysostomos of Athens (Papadopoulos): Theology and ecclesiastical life during the Interwar years.” The conference constituted the first thorough critical study of various aspects of the personality and the multi-faceted work of the late Archbishop of Athens.

At the opening, the conference was briefly greeted by the Director of the Volos Academy for Theological Studies, Dr. Pantelis Kalaitzidis, and the Metropolitan of Demetrias and Almyros His Eminence Ignatius. In the first morning session, chaired by the Director of the Volos Academy, Dr. Demetrios Moschos (Assistant Professor of Theology, University of Athens, Member of the Board of Directors of the Academy for Theological Studies), presented the topic of “The historical work of Archbishop Chrysostomos and the contemporary challenges of ecclesiastical historiography,” discussing the basic axes of Papadopoulos’s historiographical work both in his context and also in relation to the modern developments and hermeneutical trends in Historiography. The second speaker, Dr. Ioannis Panayiotopoulos (Lecturer, Faculty of Theology, University of Athens), focused on “Archbishop Chrysostomos of Athens (Papadopoulos) as student and teacher of the Faculty of Theology in Athens,” elevating important moments of Papadopoulos’s college and academic life at the various institutions where he studied (Kiev, Saint Petersburg, Theological School of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, Athens University, etc.). The session ended with a presentation by Dr. Nikolaos Asproulis (Academic Associate of the Volos Academy for Theological Studies and of the journal Theologia), who elaborated on the topic of “The western influences in Orthodox theology: Georges Florovsky and Chrysostomos Papadopoulos in dialogue.” He examined the way that the two theologians approach the so-called “Confessions” of 16th-17th century, with a reference to the methodological question of the Christian character of Orthodox theology.

During the second day of the conference, the second morning session was chaired by Dr. Despoina Michalaga (Lecturer, Faculty of Theology, University of Athens). The first speaker, Dr. Dora Dimanopoulou (Post-Doctoral Researcher, Institute of Political Sciences, Paris, (France) and Zentrum für Zeithistorische Forschung, Potsdam University, (Germany), explored the topic: “Chrysostomos Papadopoulos and the Reformation of the Church of Greece: Between reformers and conservatives, 1923-1938,” and highlighted aspects of the reformative work of Archbishop Chrysostomos, at the same time presenting the adventures of the interdependent ecclesiological, political and social factors during the Interwar. The second speaker, Dr. Vasileios Koukoussas (Associate professor of Church history, Faculty of Theology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), presented the topic: “The Church and State relations during the archierarchy of Archbishop of Athens, Chrysostomos,” describing Papadopoulos’s attitude in specific situations concerned church-state relations. The third speaker, Dr. Theodosis Tsironis (PhD in Modern Greek History, University of Thessaloniki), developed the topic: “Monarchy or Republic Democracy? Chrysostomos Papadopoulos faces the political dilemmas of the Interwar period (1924-1935).” With the help of a short documentary, he depicted the Archbishop’s attitude towards the political changes of his time.
During the afternoon session chaired by Dr. Vasillios Koukoussas, the first speaker Dr. Dimitrios Baltas (PhD in Philosophy), shed light on the topic of “Chrysostomos Papadopoulos and the Russian academic landscape of 19th c.,” mapping out the theological academic reality in Russia (academies, seminars) to which Archbishop Papadopoulos was exposed at the end of 19th century. Finally, Dr. Despoina Michalaga (Lecturer, Faculty of Theology, University of Athens) expanded on the topic of “Chrysostomos Papadopoulos and the Churches of Diaspora,” analyzing key aspects of the Archbishop’s attitude towards the Churches of Diaspora.

In the last session, chaired by Dr. Dimitrios Moschos, Dr. Paschalis Kitromilides (Professor, Faculty of Economic and Political Sciences, University of Athens) spoke on the topic: “Chrysostomos Papadopoulos and the Church of Cyprus.” He presented Papadopoulos’s view of the Church of Cyprus according to the Archbishop’s relevant work. Dr. Ioannis Bakas (Assistant Professor, Faculty of Theology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), in his lecture titled “The problems of the Ancient Patriarchates (end of 19th-beginning of 20th c.) according to Chrysostomos Papadopoulos”, he examined the Archbishop’s view on the physiognomy and nature of the Ancient Patriarchates based on his various eponymous and anonymous texts and letters. The conference was concluded with the lecture by Dr. Nikos Kouremenos (PhD in Assyrian Studies), entitled “Chrysostomos Papadopoulos’s attitude towards the Ancient Eastern Churches” that highlighted the references of the Archbishop to the Ancient Eastern Churches- rare or plenty, as in the case of the Syrian Church.

After each session there was sufficient time for discussion. The conference was attended by undergraduate and postgraduate students of theology from the Athens and Thessaloniki Theological Schools, as well as by professors from the Theological School of Thessaloniki, scholars and individuals interested in the multi-faceted work of an eminent personality and dominant figure in the ecclesiastical and academic life of Interwar Greece.

With the Conference Series “Theological Portraits,” the Volos Academy for Theological Studies aspires to promote a critical and constructive evaluation of the work of various central figures of the Greek theology of 20th century that refrains from aphoristic condemnations. In the context of the series two conferences have already taken place: the first in honour of Panagiotis N. Trempelas, and the second in honour of Nikos Nissiotis. The proceedings of the former conference were published by the Volos Academy Publications earlier in 2016, whereas the proceedings of the latter are currently under publication.