C O M M U N I Q U É
(Nov 17-19, 2023)
From November 17-19, 2023, the Austrian capital, Vienna, hosted the next meeting of professors, researchers, and students working in the field of theology outside of Georgia. The meeting was hosted by the St. John of Damascus Student House in Vienna.
Twenty-five people from various countries participated in the meeting: Nino Sakvarelidze, Priest-Monk Ephrem Lomidze, Nino Sadaglishvili, Sophia Gozalishvili, Priest-Monk Leonid Ebralidze, Archdeacon Gabriel Baratashvili, Guram Lursmanashvili, Father Grigol Chhezhia, Archimandrite Ilia Jinjolava, Shota Kintsurashvili, Mirian Gamrekelaishvili, Mikheil Nebieridze, Hieromonk Sabas Kevlishvili, Tato Ghibishvili, Father Kote Acofashvili, Erekle Turkadze, Rati Turmanidze, Tamta Konjarija, Tornike Dzhindzibadze, Mate Saralishvili, Lasha Jikhvashvili, Mamuka Khitarishvili, Aleksandre Bidzinashvili, Lazare Baliaishvili, and Luka Arabidze.
First day of the meeting, November 17:
The participants met at the St. John of Damascus Student House, located near the city of Vienna in Klosterneuburg. The participants shared their knowledge and experience regarding their work and research interests. The hosts introduced the history, goals, and achievements of the student house and the St. Ephrem Research Center of Eastern- and Western Studies (STEP). The evening was dedicated to discussion and the exchange of ideas on various theological issues.
Day Two of the Meeting, November 18:
The first half of the day featured a discussion on “Changes in the Forms of Governance of the Georgian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in the Twentieth Century (Comparative Analysis of the Governance Regulations of 1917, 1920 and 1945)” and a brief historical-theological overview was presented by Shota Kintsuraishvili. After which, participants engaged in joint work and dedicated time to the historical-critical-theological analysis of the documents. Noteworthy was the central theme of the discussion: the significance (functioning) and understanding of synodality/collegiality in various local Orthodox and other Christian churches.
The afternoon was dedicated to visiting the cultural and religious sights of the city of Vienna.
At the end of the second day, the participants gathered again at the STEP student house, and the discussion on the topic continued in an informal setting. Each attendee shared their opinion about the meeting, and it was unanimously agreed that such gatherings are necessary for further bonding and collaboration.
On the third day of the meeting, November 19:
The participants visited the Georgian Parish of St. David the Builder in Vienna, where they participated in a joint Divine Liturgy with the parish priest, Abbot Ilia Chaduneli.
On the same day, the participants visited the Metropolitan of Austria and Exarch of Hungary, Arsenios Kardamakis. Metropolitan Arsenios, during a short meeting, spoke about the importance of Orthodox theology for the Diaspora Churches in the West, as well as the challenges that exist in the Diaspora. The meeting with Archbishop Arsenios ended in a discussion format.