Philos Progect at the Interorthodox Centre

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The Interorthodox Centre of the Church of Greece hosted from 1st – 3rd October 2022 the international meeting of the “Philos Project”. Representatives from the Christian communities of the Middle East gathered in Pendeli, discussed and planned activities to enforce the Christian minorities in this region. The Director of the Interorthodox Centre Metropolitan Ioannis of Thermopylae addressed a short speech to the participants. In the meeting, among others, Archimandrite Iakovos Andriopoulos took part, also Robert Nicholson Executive Director of Philos Project, Endy Zemenides Executive Director of Hellenic American Leadership Council and Dr. Christos Nasios Scientific Assistant of the Interorthodox Centre. The attendees had the opportunity to receive a special guide to the Holy Monastery of Pendeli and also visited the Monastery of Dafni and followed the steps of Apostle Paul in ancient Corinth.

Global Exchange on Religion in Society (GERIS)

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GERIS Network members visited Morocco to learn about how religious pluralism is managed in the local context. The purpose of the visit was for the participants to hold interactive discussions with local stakeholders, explore local projects and learn best practices. GERIS exchange visit is focusing on “Diversity through Education: Fostering pluralism and respect for diversity through education”.
On behalf of the Interorthodox Centre, Mr. Sergios Voilas, the permanent scientific associate participated in the visit which took place in Morocco from the 29th of May until the 5th of June 2022.
Global Exchange on Religion in Society (GERIS) is a two-year project of networking, societal capacity building and social media engagement. The project aims to contribute to social inclusion and societal resilience by setting up a global community-based exchange initiative. Through this action, the European Union is setting up a network of civil society actors, whether secular or faith based, to connect their experiences of coexistence among people of different faiths, and none, in societies across the globe.  Through the creation of GERIS Network, the EU also wants to explore a specific model for engaging these actors working on a range of societal issues. The project objective is building an exchange platform to contribute to the global conversation on diversity, coexistence, and social inclusion in society, on civic engagement and a more active, participatory, and shared sense of citizenship across boundaries of belief and worldviews”.  

DD@S, Democratic Dialogue at school, a new Erasmus+ project

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The DD@S project believes in the strength of dialogue to tackle intolerance and discrimination at school to stimulate inclusive education all over Europe. Therefore, this project contributes in the professional development of teachers to acquire effective dialogue skills to cope with ethnic, religious and multicultural conflict situations at school.

A gamification based online training in democratic dialogue, a toolkit with tools and good practices including content managed system and guide to help teacher teams in developing their own specific training cases, teacher modules and a guide for implementation and policy recommendations will be organized and implemented to tackle this challenge.
Learn more about our project HERE

The Theology of ‘Returning’: An Interfaith Discussion on the Holidays of Easter and Passover

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Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) and Interorthodox Centre of the Church of Greece co-hosted an interfaith Zoom dialogue featuring a panel of Greek Orthodox and Jewish clergy discussing the theology of “returning,” as it relates to the holidays of Easter and Passover.

Speakers included his Eminence Metropolitan Ioannis of Thermopylae, Director of the Interorthodox Centre, Chief Rabbi of Athens Gabriel Negrin, Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin of Temple Israel in Florida, Rabbi Daniel Polish of Congregation Shir Chadash in New York, Chief Coordinator of the Interorthodox Centre Mr. Sergios Voilas, Scientific Assistant of the Interorthodox Centre Dr. Christos Nasios, and CAM Partnerships and Diplomatic Outreach Coordinator Ms. Catherine Szkop. His Eminence Metropolitan of Messinia Mr. Chrysostomos was not able to participate live and Mr. Sergios Voilas presented the speech His Eminence had prepared.

The Christian and Jewish communities both emphasize the “return” to religious practice and celebrate emancipation on Easter and Passover, albeit through different beliefs and customs.

The panel participants discussed this, as well as the connections between Easter and Passover and Pentecost and Shavuot.

A full recording of the event can be viewed here:

Faith-Based Leadership in a Turbulent World

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Ms. Kalliopi Mavragka and Mr. Sergios Voilas – scientific team of the Interorthodox Centre of the Church of Greece participed in the Executive program “Faith-Based Leadership in a Turbulent World” May 2-6, 2022 organized by The Fletcher School – Tufts University and the Foreign Affairs Institute of Athens.
The aims of the project were to integrate the organic knowledge and teachings of the Orthodox faith with contemporary applied and technical skills for leadership in a complex local, international, and transnational environment. This gathering represented an opportunity to reflect on the complexity of faith-based leadership in today’s global context, to learn from experts and peers while exploring our own journey and goals as leaders.
Also a Special Reception was given in honor of the participants in the “Faith-Based Leadership in a Turbulent World” program which was hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Athens at the American School of Classical Studies, Athens.

The Combat Antisemitism Movement at the Interorthodox Centre

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On Wednesday the 23rd of March 2022 we had the pleasure to meet and
welcome the first official delegation of the Combat Antisemitism Movement at our premises at the Interorthodox Centre of the Church of Greece. CAM Senior Advisor and Center for Jewish Impact Chairman Robert Singer and CAM Partnerships and Diplomatic Outreach Coordinator Catherine Szkop CAM met with His Eminence Metropolitan Ioannis of Thermopyle, Director of the Interorthodox Centre, alongside with the
scientific team consisted of Christos Nasios and Kalliopi Mavragka.

The agenda was focused on the importance of education in the fight against antisemitism, as well as the need for person-to-person encounters to familiarize young Greeks with members of the Jewish
community. The CAM delegation expressed their deep gratitude to the Interorthodox Centre of the Church of Greece for its commitment to building bridges between the Hellenic and Jewish peoples, and their
anticipation for a meaningful relationship between the two organizations moving forward, something that will benefit the collective effort against Jew-hatred.

We look forward to future collaboration and joint projects!

“There is Neither Greek Nor Jew”

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Interorthodox Centre of the Church of Greece is proud to co-sponsor an important educational event that took place on the 25th of January 2022, regarding with the annual Holocaust Remembrance Commemoration Day. The worldwide Combat Antisemitism Movement that day highlighted the history of Hellenic-Jewish relations and the need to further strengthen these bonds. The goal of this special gathering was to inspire a new generation of civic and religious leadership in confronting antisemitism, even when it’s not the convenient path. That path was chosen by Metropolitan of Zakynthos Chrysostomos Dimitriou and Mayor Loukas Karrer, two very important figures who set the example.

https://greece.combatantisemitism.org/?_kx=FsSWNsadwWUmebQZ1arWbvUC6UyfEfLGEdhrNRIwVeo%3D.MBueSY

20th century, going to the 21st. Rivesaltes in the heart of history

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In December 2021 a unique educational program took place. Yahad in Unum’s final teacher training seminar of the year occurred in collaboration with the Mémorial du Camp de Rivesaltes in southern France. 10 European educators who have already participated in Yahad in Unum teacher training programs were reunited for a unique seminar with Yahad researchers, focused on workshops on the practical uses of Yahad educational tools and discussions on different innovative teaching methods. On behalf of the Interorthodox Centre of the Church of Greece Sergios Voilas participated and shared with the other researchers the effort that the Interorthodox Centre makes, among other, all the past years in order to raise awareness on matters concerning Antisemitism and hate speech phenomena.

“Taking Action – Speaking Words of Dialogue, Confronting Hate-speech”

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Celebrating the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime -9th December and Human Rights day -10th December, Mr. Sergios Voilas, the permanent scientific coordinator of the Interorthodox Centre of the Church of Greece and KAICIID Fellow Alumni brought to a round table for discussion and presentations representatives of international organizations, institutions, educational communities, clergy people, theologians and other experts. The project was given the title “Taking Action – Speaking Words of Dialogue, Confronting Hate-speech”. Mrs. Garyfallia Lea Micha and Mr. Yoni Berrous participated on behalf of Yad Vashem. Mr. Rahmi Basia, President of the Islam Teachers Association of Thrace and Mr. Manos Kefalas, President of the Wikipedia Community Schools Association Greece spoke also. Dr. Christos Nasios, a high school teacher himself and an associate of the Interorthodox Centre gave a presentation in cooperation with Mrs. Kalliopi Mavragka. Interventions were made by Professor Rev. Aristarchos Grekas, whο is in charge of the program “Church and Culture” of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Athens and teacher of the lesson of Religion Mr. Alexandros Galanopoulos.

Interreligious mosaic in Chalkis: Greek schools in dialogue with social cohesion

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As part of the KAICIID International Fellows Program European Cohort 2021, Kalliopi Mavragka – Interothodox Centre of the Church of Greece, organized and implemented an innovative training program by the title of: “Interreligious mosaic in Chalkis: Greek schools in dialogue with social cohesion” for primary and high school teachers, 17-24 October 2021 targeting in familiarizing themselves with different religious and cultural traditions and the promotion of mutual understanding, solidarity and peaceful coexistence through educational activities.
A team of 24 experienced teachers were trained in Pendeli and Chalkida for two weeks and acquired and/or improved knowledge and skills so as to address diversity issues, both religious and cultural, as well as to adopt principles and tools that promote dialogue with the “other”.
More specifically, the educational visit to Chalkida allowed the participants to delve into the timeless coexistence of religions and cultures and to get to know personally the Jewish community of the city and the solidarity ties they maintain with the local Orthodox Church. The trainees were strengthened to use the examples of solidarity in the classroom as educational tools in order to cultivate in students the values of dialogue, acceptance and coexistence in society.
The implementation of this action was supported by Sergios Voilas and Christos Nasios – Interorthodox Centre of the Church of Greece.