The Interorthodox Centre of the Church of Greece, continuing its collaboration with the Jewish Museum of Greece and the organization Yahad-In Unum, participated in the educational seminar for teachers on the topic “Local Aspects of the Holocaust in East and Southeast Europe”, organized on the 23rd and the 24th of November 2023 in Athens. The Centre was represented by its scientific associate Dr. Christos Nasios, who addressed a short speech-greeting at the beginning of the sessions.
The Interorthodox Centre of the Church of Greece participated in the 5th
European Policy Dialogue Forum held in Rotterdam November 13-15, 2023. At this
forum, keynote speaker was His Eminence Elder of Chalkidon Mr. Emmanuel,
who in his speech emphasized the need for solidarity and not passive
tolerance to the problem of immigrants, while he pointed out how
important the presence of young people is within religious communities.
Mr. Sergios Voilas, KAICIID Fellow Alumni representing Interorthodox
Center, presented the Centre’s participation in the Erasmus+ KA2 program
“DD@S – Democratic Dialogue at school” at the Forum’s Market Space of
Ideas parallel event. Also, during the conference Mr. Voilas had the
opportunity to present our new program which will be implemented by
Interorthodox Centre in collaboration with KAICIID and with one of the
Centre’s Scientific Associate Mrs. Kalliopi Mavragka, a KAICIID Fellow
Alumni, too.
In continuation with the meeting of His Beatitude the Archbishop of Athens and all Greece Mr. Hieronymos II, a delegation of the University of Religions and Denominations of Iran, which is based in the city of Qom, visited the Interorthodox Centre of the Church of Greece on Wednesday, November 8th, 2023. The distinguished representatives of the Iranian University expressed their interest for the actions of the Interorthodox Centre, how our library works and pointed out their interest in the prospect of a future cooperation on a scientific base. The Rector of the University Dr. Seyed Abdolhassan Navab referred to the historic relations between Christians and Muslims throughout the Middle East area and expressed his anguish for the severe situation in the Gaza Strip. The Scientific Associates of the Interorthodox Centre Christos Nasios, Sergios Voilas and Kalliopi Mavragka emphasized the academic and cultural relations between the two traditions, expressed their hope for a ceasefire in the long-suffering region and the immediate return of the hostages to their families, while noting that praying for the peace of the whole world is the only safe way to dialogue.
Afterwards, the delegation was guided to the library of the Interorthodox Centre by the librarian Irini Grypaiou where the meeting and the discussions went on.
The Rector of the Foundation was accompanied by Dr. Rahman Bolhassani, Vice Chancellor, Dr. Hamed Shah Rafati, Director General of International Relations, Dr. Gholi Tabar, Director of the Americas and Europe department, Dr. Mohammad Hossein Navab, Member of the Board of Directors of the University, Dr. Mohammad Hossein Taskhiri Head of International Relations, Dr. Mahdi Komi, Educational Counselor of the Iranian Embassy in Greece and the interpreter Mr. Ali Karaji. The delegation was also accompanied by Fr. Antonios Malouf from the Holy Archdiocese of Athens.
A special delegation of the Orthodox Theological Academy of Volyn in
Ukraine had a two day visit in Greece from the 31st of October till the
2nd of November 2023. The Ukrainian delegation was hosted by the Church
of Greece at the Interorthodox Centre. Our scientific team gave a tour
guide at the premises of the Holy Monastery of Pendeli and the
Interorthodox Centre. The members of the delegation showed a particular
interest in establishing collaboration between the libraries of the
Volyn Academy and the Interorthodox Centre. The next steps for this
joint effort within the network of Church Libraries were also discussed,
as a continuation of the efforts that the Interorthodox Centre of the
Church of Greece makes on the matter.
The delegation of the Orthodox Theological Academy, which is based in
Lutsk in western Ukraine, is consisted of its Rector, Archpriest Dr.
Volodymyr Vakin, Professor of Canon Law, the Vice-chancellor, Head of
Education, Archpriest Dr. Vladyslav Fulmes, Professor of Church History,
Archimandrite and Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas
Zhydychyn, Dr. Konstantinos Marchenko, Pastoral Professor and the Head
of the Press Office of the Academy Archpriest Viktor Pushko, Professor
of Patrology.
The interpretation was provided by Mr. Vasyl Prus, a postgraduate
student at AUTH. The delegation was accompanied by Archimandrite
Seraphim Dimitriou.
