Orthodox Christianity and Islam-Islam in Europe
Historic events have led the orthodox peoples to long-time bordering and
coexistence with Muslim populations. The dialogue between Orthodox Christianity
and Islam goes as far back as Saint John of Damascus and Saint Gregory Palamas.
History shows that past interaction includes a mixture of mutual confrontations
and understanding occasioned by both sides. More recently, as a result of the massive
mobility and immigration of non-Christian populations in the course of late
modernity, virtually all European societies, including Greece, have experienced
an intense religious plurality in their midst, owing chiefly to the unprecedented
influx of a sizeable Muslim presence in the Continent, to a point where Islam
is no longer the distant “other” or foreigner, but has become the neighbour and
housemate.
In a world where the trumpets of war, terrorism and conflicts are usually covered with dangerous and self-serving religious rhetoric, which in turn erects religious and metaphysical walls among peoples, there also emerges from the critical conscience of the alert and informed faithful the need to build venues of inter-religious communication and understanding, especially among those who declare, and want to be, “children of Abraham”. In contrast to those who make an ideology out of the Conflict of religions and cultures, and most certainly against politicians with militant proclivities eager to declare new crusades, theology owes to insist unwaveringly on the need for increased dialogue based on love, respect and the acceptance of religious and cultural otherness, through serious and honest theological discussion.
Islam, like any other historical, social, cultural or religious formation —as Orthodox Christianity itself— is by no means a static, monolithic, unchangeable and compact reality. In its historical course, it has experienced schisms, divisions and internal intensities, and has been influenced by cultural elements and practices, that occasionally have no relation with the Koran and the teaching of Mohammed; at the same time, Islam manifests a remarkable hermeneutical diversity, as evidenced by the various reforming currents and modernizing tendencies emerging from within it.
The knowledge of Islam can well assist us in reaching a mutual understanding of, and a respect for, cultural and religious otherness, in all amounting to a level of spiritual maturity on the basis of which the Church is called to carry out her work and her mission. It is our duty therefore to overcome past confrontations, so as to enable ourselves to work for a brighter future for both sides, a future marked by understanding and mutual acceptance. Such a noble aim presupposes, of course, a sincere commitment to serious and sober scholarly dialogue, far from defensive apologies and self-righteous rhetoric. This kind of dialogue must boldly address questions such as: What were the relations and contacts between Orthodox Christianity and Islam, Hesychasm and Sufism? What is the place of hermeneutics in these two great religious traditions? What were their mutual osmoses and the interactions? How can we heal the memories of past conflicts and how can we change into a wealth and a blessing of God the given present co-existence of Christians and Muslims? Also, are we to assume that Orthodox Christianity and Islam are only entitled to a pre-modern past or can they perhaps make serious claims for a modern and post-modern present and future? What could be the advisable treatment of fundamentalisms at both sides? Does Europe, finally, constitute a closed Christian club or should it be properly envisioned as a multicultural and multireligious political entity?
These are the critical questions that the Academy for Theological Studies aims to address in this seventh year of course offering, broadly entitled: Orthodox Christianity and Islam - Islam in Europe. In a series of parallel events (congresses, interdisciplinary workshops, seminars), the Academy will deal with such topics as Reconciliation, Forgiveness and Peace (in collaboration with the World Council of Churches and Boston Theological Institute), Orthodoxy and Tradition, Wittgenstein and Apophatic theology, etc.
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Saturday January 27, 2007
6.30-7.00 pm.: The theological frame of inter-religious dialogue
Dr Petros Vassiliadis, Faculty of Theology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
His Eminence, Dr Ioannis (Spiteris), Roman Catholic Archbishop of Corfu, University Antonianum, Rome
7.00-7.30 pm.: State, politics and religion in Islam
Dr Konstantinos Patelos, Panteion University of Athens
7.30-8.00 pm.: Coffee break
8.00-8.30 pm.: Discussion
Saturday February 10, 2007
6.30-7.00 pm.: Sunnis and Shiites
Dr Angeliki Ziaka, Lecturer, Faculty of Theology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
7.00-7.30 pm.: Islamism and Nationalism
Dr Dimitris Stamatopoulos, Lecturer, Department of Balkan, Slavic and Oriental Studies, University of Macedonia (Thessaloniki)
7.30-8.00 pm.: Coffee break
8.00-8.30 pm.: Discussion
Saturday February 24, 2007
6.30-7.00 pm.: From John of Damascus to Manuel II Paleologus: The spectrum of the Byzantine views of Islam from sobriety to dementia!
Dr Daniel Sachas, Professor Emeritus, University of Waterloo (Ontario, Canada)
7.00-7.30 pm.: Ancient Greek thought, Christianity and Islamic philosophy
Dr Gregorios Ziakas, Professor Emeritus, University of Thessaloniki
7.30-8.00 pm.: Coffee break
8.00-8.30 pm.: Discussion
Saturday March 3, 2007
6.30-7.00 pm.: The Anthropology of Islam
Dr Fotini Tsimpiridou, Lecturer, University of Macedonia (Thessaloniki)
7.00-7.30 pm.: Islam in the Balkans. History, present, prospects of dialogue and living together with the Orthodox
Dr Mariyan Bogoev Stojadinov, University of Veliko Tyrnovo (Bulgaria)
7.30-8.00 pm.: The image of Orthodox Christianity in Islamic countries
Chadi Ayoubi, journalist, correspondent of Al-Jajira Channel in Athens
8.00-8.30 pm.: Coffee break
8.30-9.00 pm.: Discussion
Saturday, March 10, 2007
6.30-7.00 pm.: The dialogue between Christians and Muslims in the Middle East
Rev. Dr Georges Massouh, Director of the Christian-Muslim Studies Center, Balamand University (Lebanon)
7.00-7.30 pm.: Islam and democracy, Islam and modernity
Dr Mohamed Haddad, University of Manouba (Tunisia)
7.30-8.00 pm.: Coffee break
8.00-8.30 pm.: Discussion
Saturday, April 21st 2007
6.30-7.45 pm.: Islam in Europe today. Challenges and prospects (Round Table)
—Dr Ghaleb Bencheikh, Presenter of the show “Islam” on French television, Vice-president of World Conference of Religions for Peace (France)
—Dr Tahir Abbas, University of Birmingham (UK)
—Dr Andreas Renz, Expert on issues of ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue, Instructor, University of Koblenz (Germany)
—Akşin Somel, Professor of History, University of Sabanci (Istanbul)
7.45-8.15 pm.: Coffee break
8.15-8.45 pm.: Discussion
Saturday, May 5, 2007
6.30-7.00 pm.: Hesychasm and Sufism
Rev. Dr Lampros Kamperidis, Concordia University-Université de Sherbrooke (Montreal, Canada)
7.00-7.30 pm.: Islam in Greece today
Dr Alexandros Kariotoglou, University of Thessaly
7.30-8.00 pm.: Islam and globalization after September 11th
Dr Olivier Roy, Institute of Political Sciences (Paris)
8.00-8.30 pm.: Coffee break
8.30-9.00 pm.: Discussion
Saturday, May 12, 2007
6.30-7.45 pm.: The place of women in Islam (Round Table)
— Dr Riffat Hassan, University of Louisville, Kentucky (USA)
— Dr Mahbouba Merchaoui-Ben Nasser, Institut
Français des Etudes et
Sciences Islamiques, (France)
— Dr Amel Grami, University of Manouba, Member of the Islamo-Christian Research Team (Tunisia)
— Méhrézia Labidi-Maiza, Member of the Bible and Koran Team and the World Conference of Religions for Peace (France)
7.45-8.15 pm.: Coffee break
8.15-8.45 pm.: Discussion
Monday, February 5, 2007, 7.00 pm.
Presentation of the volume:
—His Eminence Metropolitan of Xanthi Mr Panteleimon
—Emin Serif, Imam of Alexandroupoli
—Rafael Frezi, ex-Chairman of Volos Jewish Community
—Dr. Georges Tsigaras, Editor
Thursday, April 19, 2007, 7.00 pm.
Public Discussion on:
The distribution of the Bible in traditionally Islamic countries, in Turkey and the Middle East
— Ms. Tamar Karasu - Executive Secretary of the Bible Society in Turkey
— Michael G Bassous, General Secretary of the Bible Society in Lebanon [Syria & Iraq]
— Archdeakon Hratsch Sarkissian, General Secretary of the Bible Society of Armenia
— Ramez Atallh, General Secretary of the Bible Society of Egypt
Co-ordinated by the Director of the Greek Bible Society, Dr Michalis Chatzigiannis.
Ecumenical meeting in collaboration with the Ecumenical Theological Education (ETE) Team of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and with the participation of professors and lecturers of Theology from Greece and Europe.
The aim of this meeting is to prepare and organize a long-term programme of conferences and seminar series on the question of ‘the other’ in our theological education, with a particular emphasis on Central and Eastern Europe.
This meeting is not open to the public.
Section I: Orthodox Christianity and Culture (Orthodox Christianity and Culture, pagan elements in Christian tradition, review of Pallas’ book)
—Chrysostomos Stamoulis, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Theology, University of Thessaloniki
—Stavros Zoumboulakis, Editor of the literature magazine Hestia
—Pantelis Kalaitzidis, Director of Volos Academy for Theological Studies, Pedagogical Institute Associate
Section II: Hellenism and Christianity
—Kostas Agoras, Assistant Professor at the Greek Open University.
—His Eminence, Metropolitan of Arkalohorion, Andreas (Nanakis), Professor at the Faculty of Theology, University of Thessaloniki
—Paraskevas Matalas, MA History
—Polykarpos Karamouzis, Aegean University, PhD Panteion University.
—Marios Begzos, Professor at the Faculty of Theology, University of Athens
Section III: Round Table. Ideological approach of History and use of sources
—Dimitris Kyrtatas, Professor of Ancient History at the University of Thessaly.
—Dimitris Moschos, Professor at the Higher Ecclesiastical School of Athens, PhD in Theology.
—Spyridoula Athanasopoulou-Kypriou, Instructor of Religious Studies, PhD University of Manchester.
Section IV: Discussion in groups, workshops, and final discussion in plenary
In order to participate in this workshop, you need to contact the Academy’s Secretariat.
Seminar and Round Table
With the participation of philosophers and theologians
Starting on Friday, May 11th, 18:30. Ending on Saturday, May 12th, 15:00.
Main speaker:
Michael Grant, Professor at the Kent University (Canterbury, Μ. Βρετανία)
Round Table participants:
Stelios Virvidakis, Professor at the University of Athens
Charalambos Ventis, Theologian, PhD Boston University
Elias Papagiannopoulos, PhD Innsbruck University, teaching at Panteion University
Chrysi Sideropoulou, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Bosporus (Istanbul)
In order to participate in this seminar, you need to contact the Secretariat of the Academy
Forgiveness, Reconciliation and Peace
Thursday May 17th 2007
“The Call to Overcome Violence”
18:00-19:00: Opening of the conference – Greetings
19:00-19:20:
“Overcoming Violence. The challenge to the Churches”
Dr Vletsis Athanasios,
Professor at Munich University
19:20-19:40: “The predominance of Violence in
the present world: a Sociological approach”
Dr Niki Papageorgiou, Assistant
Professor at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
19:40-20:30:
Discussion
20:30: Dinner
Friday May 18th
2007
“Reconciliation and forgiveness”
09:30-09:50: “Security,
justice and peace, towards a reconciled world”
Rev Dr Rodney Petersen,
Director of Boston Theological Institute
09:50-10:10: “Human dignity in a
global world”
Rev Dr Emmanuel Clapsis, Professor at Holy Cross Greek
Orthodox School of Theology, Boston
10:10-10:30: “Peace Building in Security
in Europe”
Dr Kostas Zorbas, theologian-sociologist, director of the
Observatory of Social Issues of the Holy Synod of The Church of
Greece
10:30-11:30:Discussion
11:30-12:00: Coffee/tea break
“War
in the name of religion”
12:00-12:20: “The role of religion in war and
conflict”
Dr Tony Kempster, Director of the Movement for the Abolition of War
and Secretary of the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship
12:20-12:40: “Power and
involvement in war in the Orthodox Tradition”
Dr Athanasios Papathanasiou,
Editor of the greek theological journal Synaxis
12:40-13:15:
Discussion
13:15-14:30: Lunch break
“Peace and Justice”
14:30-14:50: “Embracing the Other in situation of conflicts”
Canon
Dr Paul Ostreicher, Honorary Quaker Chaplain to the University of Sussex and
Emer Director of the Centre for International Reconciliation at Coventry
Cathedral
14:50-15:10: “Reconciliation as a mission imperative.
Pneumatological and ecclesiological approach”
Dr Petros Vassiliadis, Prof at
the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, President of WOCATI
15:10-15:30:
“The art of forgiveness”
Dr Geiko Muller Fahrenholz, Coordinator of the
International Ecumenical Peace Convocation
15:30-16:30:
Discussion
16:30-17:00: Coffee/tea break
17:00-18:30: “Orthodoxy in
situations of conflict” (Round Table)
o Metropolitan Neophytos of
Morfou, Cyprus
o Rev Dr Zivko Panev, Serbia/Orthodox Institute St Serge,
France
o Dr Alexander Bodrov, St Andrew's Biblical Theological Institute,
Russia
o Dr Michel Nseir, WCC Middle East Desk, Lebanon
18:30-19:30:
Discussion
19:30: Dinner
Saturday May 19 2007
“Spiritual Resources for a Culture of Peace”
09:30-09:50:
“Spirituality of Reconciliation”
Dr Joan Patricia Back, Centro "Uno" for the
Unity of Christians
09:50-10:10: “Women as victims of violence and
instruments of peace”
Dr Aruna Gnanadason, World Council of
Churches
10:10-10:30: “Overcoming violence, following the breeze of the
Spirit”
Rev Dr Vassilios Thermos, theologian, children
psychiatrist
10:30-11:30: Discussion
11:30-12:00: Coffee/tea
break
“Identity, Otherness and Reconciliation”
12:00-12:20:
“The Flavour of the Other. Re-thinking differences, conflicts and reconciliation
from a cultural studies perspective”
Rev Dr Claudia Jahnel, Lecturer, Dpt.
of Religious and Mission Studies and Intercultural Theology,
Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen
12:20-12:40: “Christian identity,
national identity and the claims of territorial exclusiveness. An essay on
Christian delocalization”
Mr Pantelis Kalaitzidis, Director of Volos Academy
for Theological Studies
12:40-13:20: Discussion
13:20-15:00: Lunch
break
“Healing of memories”
15:00-15:20: “Choosing
Reconciliation with the Orthodox: A Greek Evangelical experience”
Rev
Meletis Meletiadis, pastor at the Greek Evangelical Church in
Volos
15:20-15:40: “Is reconciliation possible between Turks and Greeks?”
Dr Konstantinos Deliconstandis, Prof at the University of
Athens
15:40-16:00: “Reconciling history/memories”
Dr Geraldine Smyth,
Senior Lecturer at the Irish School of Ecumenics
16:00-17:00:
Discussion
17:00-17:30: Coffee/tea break
“Contemporary Conflicts
and Cultural/Religious Identity”
17:30-17:50: Dr Nicolaos Kotzias,
political scientist, University of Piraeus
17:50-18:10: Mr Savvas Michael,
writer
18:10-18:50: Discussion
19:30: Dinner in town
Sunday, May
20 2007
08:00: Visit to local churches
11:00-12:30: “Christian
churches contributing to a culture of Peace” (Round Table)
o Mr Jim
Forest, Orthodox Peace Fellowship
o Dr Claudio Betti, St Egidio Community
o Mrs Marijana Ajzenkol, Interreligious Dialogue Centre, Zemun, FRY
o Μr
David Porter, Centre for Contemporary Christianity in Ireland
12:30-14:00:
Discussion and closing acts
14:00: Lunch