The programme of this year’s series is as follows. The first lecture has been delivered already. We note that there may be minute changes, which will be announced on time.
This year’s series (February-June 2023) will revolve, among other things, around the current theological and ecclesiastical challenges posed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine for the unity and future of global Orthodoxy, while examining the role of Orthodox Christians in modern ever-changing world in the field of mission, public witness, anthropology and soteriology, pastoral issues, dialogue with other religious traditions, and much more. Having largely returned to normality after two years of restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s series will adopt a hybrid format, where in addition to the purely online meetings there will also be lectures with a physical presence in Volos and Athens and simultaneous webcast, while, where necessary, there will be interpretation into English and Greek.
Taking advantage of the capacities of the modern communication technology, and after the successful implementation of the two previous cycles (2020-2021 and 2021-2022), Volos Academy for Theological Studies organizes for the third consecutive year a new series of public lectures, aspiring to open a debate with the broader public regarding topical issues of theological, philosophical and also of wider spiritual and existential interest. For this purpose, eminent speakers from Greece and abroad, clergy and laity, university professors and competent researchers, will be invited to offer their fruitful and creative reflections on important topics.
Wednesday, February 15, 7:00 p.m. Athens time
ORTHODOXY IN AFRICA: PROBLEMS, CHALLENGES, PROSPECTS
Metropolitan Gregorios (Stergiou) of Cameroon
Moderator: Dr. Pantelis Kalaitzidis, Director of the Volos Academy of Theological Studies
Thursday, March 9, 7:00 p.m. Athens time
“SOSON, KYRIE, TON LAON SOU (SAVE, LORD, YOUR PEOPLE)”:
THE SACRALIZATION OF VIOLENCE IN ECCLESIASTICAL TEXTS
Dr. George Demacopoulos, Professor and Co-Founding Director of the Center of Orthodox Christian Studies of Fordham University, New York, USA
Moderator: Dr. Niki Tsironis, Research Associate (Department of Byzantine Studies) of the Hellenic National Research Institute
Monday, April 3, 8:00 p.m. Athens time
“IN THE BACK YARD OF THE SOCIETY”.
IMPRISONED AND RELEASED WOMEN, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL REHABILITATION.
Klimis Pyrounakis, Coordinator of the Network for Imprisoned and Released Women, Ex-Director of the “Second Chance” Adult Education School of the Eleonas Prison, Thiva
Moderator: Thanasis Karagiannis, Director of the 33th Elementary School of Volos in the Juvenile Penal Department of Volos
Wednesday, April 26, 7:00 p.m. Athens time
THE THIRD ROME: MOSCOW AND THE HOLY SEAT OF ORTHODOXY
Round table on the occasion of the second edition of the book with the same title by Alexander Massavetas. Panelists:
Alexander Massavetas, Journalist, Author
Metropolitan Grigorios (Papathomas) of Peristeri, Professor, Faculty of Theology, University of Athens & Orthodox Institute of St Sergius, Paris
Thanasis Samaras, Journalist
Dimitris Triantafyllidis, Translator, Journalist, Theologian
Moderator: Dr. Pantelis Kalaitzidis, Director of the Volos Academy of Theological Studies
Wednesday, May 17, 7:00 p.m. Athens time
ORTHODOX POWER:
NEGOTIATING THEOLOGIES OF HIERARCHY AND DEMOCRACY
Dr. Ashley Purpura, Associate Professor in Religious Studies, Purdue University, Indiana, USA
Moderator: Rev. Dr. Cyril Hovorun, Professor, Stockholm School of Theology, Sweden
Wednesday, May 24, 7:00 p.m. Athens time
THAT ALL SHALL BE SAVED: HEAVEN, HELL AND UNIVERSAL SALVATION
Round table on the occasion of the Greek edition of the book with the same title by David Bentley Hart (Volos Academy Publications and Akritas Publications, 2023). This event is co-organized by Volos Academy for Theological Studies and Akritas Publications. Panelists:
Dr. David Bentley Hart, Author, Professor, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
Dr. Stavros Yangazoglou, Associate Professor, Faculty of Theology, University of Athens
Dr. Haralambos Ventis, Associate Professor, Faculty of Theology, University of Athens
Moderator: Dr. Nikolaos Asproulis, Deputy Director of the Volos Academy of Theological Studies
Wednesday, June 7, 7:00 p.m. Athens time
ΕCCLESIATICAL AUTHORITY AND ACADEMIC FREEDOM
Round Table
Dr. Pantelis Kalaitzidis, Director of the Volos Academy of Theological Studies
Dr. Ionut Biliuta, Gh. Sincai Institute of Social Sciences, Romanian Academy, Bucharest
Mrs. Inga Leonova, MA, Director, The Wheel Magazine, Boston, USA
Moderator: Dr. Assaad Elias Kattan, Professor of Orthodox Theology, University of Muenster, Germany
Wednesday, June 21, 7:00 p.m. Athens time
THEOLOGY OF RELIGIONS IN ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM
Round Table
Dr. Athanasios Ν. Papathanasiou, Director of the journal Synaxi, Associate Professor of the Supreme Ecclesiastical Academy of Athens
Dr. Nayla Tabbara, President of Adyan Foundation, Professor of Islamic Studies, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
Moderator: Dr Angeliki Ziaka, Professor of Religious Studies, Faculty of Theology, Thessaloniki
*Poster artwork: Tasos Babatzias, Night rooster (detail), acrylic on cardboard, 2021.
