HCHC at the International Conference “Christian Orthodox Theology in the 21st Century: Challenges and Perspectives”

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology was well represented at the recent International Conference “Christian Orthodox Theology in the 21st Century: Challenges and Perspectives” on November 24-28, sponsored by the National Kapodistrian University of Athens. 

His Grace Bishop Anthony (Vrame) of Synada, Acting Dean of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and Director of Holy Cross Orthodox Press, participated in two workshop sessions. His first presentation was “Theological Education for a Changing American Church.” His second presentation was “Catechesis and Pastoral Care in the Orthodox American Church.” 

Fr. John Chryssavgis, Director of the Huffington Ecumenical Institute at HCHC, offered three presentations:  “Toward a New Ecumenical Perspective;” “The Renewal of Synodality and the Role of the Church in the World;” and participated in the closing roundtable entitled “The Orthodox Church and Contemporary Geopolitics.”

Fr. Demetrios Bathrellos, Associate Professor, offered a paper, “The Necessity and the Content of Modern Christian Apologetics.” Lastly, Fr. Nicholas Kazarian, Adjunct Instructor, offered, “The Ecumenical Challenges of 21st Century Orthodoxy.”

More than 180 scholars offered papers at the Conference, which modeled itself after the historic 1936 and 1976 conferences held in Athens. 

In addition, many alumni from Holy Cross were in attendance and offered papers. Notably to name a few, His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, His Eminence Metropolitan Ambrosios of Korea, His Eminence Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaias and Laureotikis, Fr. Athanasios Melissaris, Fr. Chrysostom Nassis and Athanasios Antonopoulos, and Katerina Pekridou.