Interorthodox Centre of the Church of Greece

How is the environment combined with religion and education? This is the matter we discussed with the 60 students of the 3rd Gymnasium of Nea Ionia. The children, through their educational visit to the Interorthodox Centre of the Church of Greece at the Holy Monastery of Pendeli, were informed about issues related to the environment, and more specifically, they were given the opportunity to delve deeper into the responsibility of mankind towards the mystery of Creation, as witnessed in our Orthodox Church. We also gave them the special opportunity to talk with representatives from different religious communities and about what stance other religious traditions take on the same issue. In particular, the Rabbi of Athens, Mr. Gabriel Negrin, the Responsalis of the Anglican Church in Athens, Rev. F. Benjamin Djury, as well as the President of the Ahmadiyya community in Greece Imam Atta-Ul Naseer – National President at Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Greece. The religious representatives were received by the Director of the Interorthodox Cente, his Emminence Metropolitan of Thermopylae Mr. Ioannis and discussed issues on how humanity can present inter-religious social solidarity nowadays.
Subsequently, the team of the Interorthodox Centre, together with the students and the representatives of other religious traditions, exchanged views on the deeper spiritual dimension of the modern ecological crisis. Through this educational action, we all had the special opportunity to talk and listen one another, discovering that caring for the environment is essentially a common value and a common calling of the entire world.
Under these circumstances, matters also related to the protection of the environment from fires were also raised, as well as the importance of everyone’s voluntary contribution in dealing with these severe phenomena in our days. In collaboration with the members of the volunteer squad of the Pendeli Fire Department, Mrs. Meropi Kapetanopoulou and Mr. Dimitris Nasiotis presented to the children the work of the squad and the importance of volunteering in relation to the contribution to fellow humans and the environment. At this point, we wish to express our gratitude and undivided thanks to the Commander of the 12th Fire Station of Pallini, Deputy Chief Mr. Nikolaos Vlachogiannis and the Head of the volunteer squad of the Pendeli Fire Department, Deputy Chief Mr. Nikolaos Liakos.
Finally, the students, accompanied by their teachers, Mrs. Kyriaki Mantellou, Director, Mrs. Vasso Kolovou, Physical Education teacher, Mr. Stavros Terzis, theologian and Mr. Evangelos Tatsis, Technology teacher, carried out a symbolic, but deeply meaningful act: the planting of trees in the fire-stricken area of the Holy Monastery of Pendeli, as a sign of hope, memory and regeneration. The tree planting was carried out thanks to the kind offer and help of Mr. Konstantinos Strampi, whom we also warmly thank. This educational action, which was related to many and essential issues, was carried out in collaboration with the Symplexis organization and is part of the European InterMu-Se program. Protecting our world is an act of faith, responsibility and hope.

Interorthodox Centre of the Church of Greece successfully completed the training activity for teachers entitled “Schools in Dialogue with Religious Communities”, which was implemented on October 11, 12 and 25, 2025.
Day 1 – 11/10:
At the Interorthodox Centre, the main presentation was given by Mr. Karababas and was followed by relevant workshops with the participation of expert scientists, educators, etc. The participating educators reflected, exchanged experiences and were inspired by new ways to open the classroom to the community, with a focus on intercultural and interreligious education.
Day 2 – 12/10:
The educational visit to the Beth Shalom Synagogue coincided with the Feast of Tabernacles, offering a unique experience of hospitality and dialogue from the Rabbi of Athens, Gabriel Negrin. Rabbi Diana Gerson from New York joined the group, adding an international dimension to our meeting.
Day 3 – 25/10:
The team of the Interorthodox Centre visited Chalkida, where we received a warm and moving welcome from His Eminence Metropolitan of Chalkida, Chrysostomos. This was followed by a tour of the city, a visit to the Ottoman Mosque, as well as the Synagogue and the Jewish Cemetery of Chalkida — unique monuments with a long historical and spiritual tradition.
The group of participants was accepted by the Jewish Community of Chalkida and the Vice President and educator Mr. Savvas Ovadias, who together with his associates presented to the teachers the historical path and the contribution of the community to the local society.
We warmly thank all the educators, the collaborating organizations and the local religious communities for their contribution to this fruitful experience of dialogue and learning.
The action was implemented with the support of the Hellenic-German Fund for the Future of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The Interorthodox Centre of the Church of Greece, as an active member of the Oikosnet Europe network, participated in the Annual General Assembly held in Wittenberg, Germany. The Interorthodox Centre was represented by he Scientific Associate Mr. Sergios Voilas. This year, Oikosnet celebrates 70 years of continuous presence.
During the elections, Mrs. Katerina Karkala-Zorba from the Orthodox Academy of Crete was elected president of the network, while Mr. Voilas assumed duties in the Nomination Committee.
Meanwhile, in the context of the conference entitled “Ways to Peace 2025 – Churches between responsibility for the world and their own nation”, an event organized by the Evangelische Akademie Sachsen-Anhalt, Sergios Voilas as the representative of the Interorthodox Centre took part in the panel on the topic: Different Points of View? Oikosnet Europe and the Middle East. In this way, the Interorthodox Centre continues to actively participate in international discussions on peace, the responsibility of the Churches, and the coexistence of religious communities.

From the 18th to 20th of June 2025, the Anna Lindh Foundation held its international forum in Tirana, Albania, entitled: “From Knowledge to Action: Redefining Dialogue in the Euro Mediterranean Region”. The Forum was attended by hundreds of experts, representatives of organizations and institutions, as well as artists coming from more than 38 countries. At this major international meeting, the importance of which is being further emphasized by the tragic events that take place nowadays, the Interorthodox Centre of the Church of Greece was represented by its scientific associate Dr. Christos Nasios, who participated as a speaker on the panel entitled: “Exploring the Potential of Diverse Worldviews in Learning for Sustainability”. In his speech and the discussion that followed, he approached the issue through the three major monotheistic religions, highlighting in particular the Christian worldview and especially the Christian Orthodox perspective on it. The main points of the presentations and discussions will be published soon.
The Anna Lindh Foundation is the largest intergovernmental organization in the Euro-Mediterranean area, bringing together civil society actors, institutions, scientists and young people and creating networks that transform intercultural and interreligious dialogue into action that will empower individuals and communities to pursue cooperation and positive change across the region. #ALForum2025 #TheDialogueEffect.

On Friday, May 30th, 2025, the Interorthodox Centre of the Church of Greece at the Holy Monastery of Pendeli, welcomed with great joy a group of students from Southern Greece and Cyprus from the Hellenic Police Post-graduate Training School, accompanied by the Second Lieutenant Ms. Konstantina Droumbali.
The Director of the Interorthodox Centre of the Church of Greece and Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Pendeli, His Eminence Metropolitan of Thermopylae, Mr. Ioannis, delivered a welcome address. During the visit, the police officers had the opportunity to be guided through the Catholicon of the Holy Monastery of Pendeli and to be informed in detail about the work, actions and mission of the Interorthodox Centre by the Scientific Associates of the Centre. Particular emphasis was placed on the Centre’s contribution to promoting dialogue between the Orthodox Churches, strengthening ecclesiastical education and preserving cultural heritage.
During the visit, the Centre’s responsible for security matters, Mr. Spyros Bitzas, provided a briefing on security and protection issues in places of worship. This was followed by a fruitful exchange of views among the participants on the preservation of cultural elements, the security of sacred relics and the management of the special characteristics of these places.
The visit took place in a climate of mutual respect and cooperation, confirming the Interorthodox Centre’s ongoing pursuit of contributing to the strengthening of the relationship between Church and society, with an emphasis on cooperation with institutional bodies and the promotion of education and security.
The Interorthodox Centre of the Church of Greece expresses its warm thanks to the Hellenic Police Postgraduate Training School for its interest and participation, as well as to all those involved in the successful implementation of the visit.