Interorthodox Centre of the Church of Greece

In Marrakesh, Morocco, on the 13th till the 15 of June 2023
Interorthodox Centre was represented at the first global Parliamentary
Conference on Interfaith Dialogue “Walking together for our common future”. Mr. Sergios Voilas had the chance to participate and discuss
ways of cooperation with various religious leaders – representatives of
different religious communities. They all met under the umbrella of the
Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Parliament of the Kingdom of Morocco,
in cooperation with Religions for Peace and with the support of the
United Nations alliance of Civilizations and the Mohammadia League of
Religious Scholars.

Parliamentarians, religious leaders, religious representatives of faith
based and civil society organizations and international experts, all
gathered and talked about the importance of interfaith dialogue as an
element to promote peaceful coexistence, building resilient societies
and encouraging a culture of dialogue in parliaments.

His Eminence Metropolitan Geron Emmanuel of Chalcedon from the
Ecumenical Patriarchate gave a speech at the conference. Also His
Eminence Meletios Metropolitan of Carthage took part at the conference,
accompanied by priests coming from the Parish of Announciation in
Kasablanca. Moreover priests coming from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem
attended.
Greek delegation members of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy had a representation, too.

In addition to that and as part of the conference, KAICIID participants
and Fellows Alumni, one of whom is Sergios Voilas, got together. They
had a special meeting with the General Secretary of KAICIID Dr. Zuhair
Alharthi during which common actions and further coalitions where
discussed.

“Educating linguistically means not only educating to languages and their learning, but above all educating to learn codes and the many (infinite) symbolic forms of which a human being can equip himself: it is ultimately an education to language in its plurality” (Simone, 1976).
To explore and value “plurality” is indeed one of the main goals of this project that put together organization and univer- sities from four different European countries (Italy, Germany, Greece and Spain) to better understand the needs of migrants learning the language of their host country. The organization involved all have years of experience and previ- ous contacts with migrants living in their local communities. These expertise were crucial to bring about a field-research on the weaknesses and strengths of the learning process.

Data were gathered through interviews with adult learners (Semi-structured one-to-one interviews or focus groups) and teachers and professionals working in the field of migration. The interviews wanted to profile L-2 learners to be able to differentiate the needs and interest depending on their migra- tory background, educational background, and dreams and aspirations.
On the other hand, the interviews with workers of the field enabled to map the integration and education policy of the countries involved.
These data will be elaborated and collected in the creation of useful guidelines that will be available for all and the starting point for further research.

LTTA Siena

The Language Teaching Training Activity (LTTA) organised by the University for Foreigners of Siena from 28 to 30 Sep- tember 2022, aimed to create a link between 3 apparently distant but very connected themes: sport, immigration and languages. In recalling Europe’s attention to these 3 topics, the LTTA in Siena (Italy) has provided some proposals by referring to pedagogical, sociological studies and above all to educational linguistic activities. The LTTA took place over 3 days corresponding to specific thematic areas: Sports as a tool for inclusion in migratory contexts; Language of sport and teaching practices; Playful teaching and language games in sports.
Through the training, we provided theoretical and applicative bases in line with the topics analysed. Participants have been language teachers from Spain, Greece, Germany and Italy, which allowed them to learn about innovative and motivating L2 playful activities.
Furthermore, the Training was very useful because it allowed partipants to discuss the values of sport not only as a social prac- tice but also as a tool for linguistic and cultural education as well as a strategic tool for social inclusion and health maintenance.

TPM Cham

The Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) welcomed by the organisation VHS has taken place on 3 and 4 November in Cham (Germany) . In this occasion, the partners have discussed together about the next steps of the ALL IN proj- ect, starting from the useful Guidelines which will help language teachers to improve the learning for adults.
During the 2-days meeting there was a great exchange on the different need assesments of the partners countries. This integrated approach has been very useful to strengthen the impact of the project and to share good practices already implemented at local level in the language teaching.
The next step will be the LTTA in Athens on February 2023, on which teachers will meet again to improve their informal methods on language teaching.

The International Commission for the Theological Dialogue between the Anglicans and the Orthodox met in Athens from 7 to 14 October 2022, hosted by the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, at the Interothodox Centre of the Church of Greece of the Holy Monastery of Penteli.
The Commission is grateful for the hospitality and welcome received on behalf of Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All of Greece and Metropolitan Ioannis of Thermopylae, Abbot of Penteli Monastery.
The Commission has launched discussions on organ donation and intends to continue examining this issue at its next meeting.
As in previous meetings, the Commission’s work was based on daily prayer and worship. The members of the Committee attended the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Monastery of Penteli, where they remembered the life and contribution to the Dialogue of the former members of the Committee who died this year, the late Metropolitans Kallistos of Dioclea, and Ilia of Philomelion.
The Committee visited the Anglican Church of St. Paul in Athens where they were received by the Head, Canon Leonard Doolan, and the British Ambassador to Greece, Matthew Lodge. The Commission also visited the seat of the Archdiocese of Athens, where they were welcomed by Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All of Greece.

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”.  

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: