C O M M U N I Q U É
(June 22-28, 2019)
Center of Ecumenical, Missiological and Environmental Studies “Metropolitan Panteleimon Papageorgiou”(CEMES), between May 22-27, has organized a theological symposium called “Orthodox theology and Witness” with the Georgian theologians.
The symposium consists of 3 parts:
1. Consists of the pilgrimage of the Georgian participants to Mount Athos, between 22-25 May:
By the invitation of the Holy Kinotita, the Georgian participants have visited serval monasteries on Mount Athos. The participants were given an opportunity to meet the abbot of the Holy Monastery of Esphigmenou, Archimandrite Bartholomew. A long conversation was held between the abbot, the brotherhood of the monastery and participants about the spiritual – ascetical and daily life of the monastery. After the meeting, the pilgrimage continued. But this time the participants visited the Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou. However, the next day the participants had the privilege to visit the Holy Monastery of Iviron. At this monastery, the participants had the opportunity to see the museum and the holy relics of the monastery. In addition, as a sign of respect, the abbot gave his blessing for the participants to have a Divine Liturgy in Georgian, in the Church was the icon of Theotokos is located. After the Iviron monastery, the participants continued their journey to Vatopedi Monastery. The Pilgrimage Group Consisted: Hieromonk Irineos Shengelia, Hieromonk Ieronymos Katamadze, Hierodeacon Irakli Jinjolava, Deacon George Gibradze, Shota Kintsurashvili, Nikoloz Gurgenidze, Giorgi Geguchadze and Grigol Tchezhia.
2. Meeting of Georgian Theologians and students of theology living abroad, between 25 – 26 May:
After returning from Mount Athos to Thessaloniki more participants joined the Symposium. The Protosingelos Iakob, of the Metropolis of Thessaloniki, in respect of the Georgian theologians had a reception and a meeting with the participants. By the blessing of the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki, His All Holiness Anthimos, the Georgian participants had a Divine Liturgy in Georgian and Greek. The Liturgy was held at the Church of Dormition. After the Liturgy, the memorial service was held for those who have sacrificed their lives for the independence of Georgia. After liturgy and dinner, a dialogue was held between the Georgian theologians and students, at the monastery of St. Theodora, in Thessaloniki. During this dialogue, the participants spoke about the contemporary issues such as euthanasia, bioethics, the role of theology in secular social life, catechism, liturgy and theological educational missionary role for a better future. Participants of the dialogue were:
1. Hierodeacon Irakli Jinjolava (chairman) – University of Munich;
2. George Geguchadze (secretary) – University of Eichstätt;
3. Nino Sadzaglishvili (secretary) – University of Athens;
4. Sopho Gozalishvili – University of Vienna;
5. Hieromonk Leonide Ebralidze – Pontifical Oriental Institute of Rome;
6. Hieromonk Irineos Shengelia – University of Thessaloniki;
7. Heromonk Ieronymos Katamadze – University of Thessaloniki;
8. Deacon George Gibradze – University of Cambridge, IOCS;
9. Guram Chukhrukidze – University of Thessaloniki;
10. Grigol Tchezhia – University of Eichstätt;
11. Nikoloz Gurgenidze – University Ecclesiastical Academy of Thessaloniki;
12. Guram Lursmanashvili – University of Athens;
13. Vano Shoshiashvili – University of Athens;
14. Shota Kintsurashvili – University of Munich.
We have received letters from those Georgian theologians who couldn’t attend the symposium: Subdeacon Giorgi (Givi) Lomidze, Erekle Turkadze and Alexi Mestumrishvili.
3. The Conference on 27th May:
The academic conference was held at Amphitheatre of the St. Theodora Monastery, in Thessaloniki. The program was made up of 3 parts:
Part One:
• Introduction and Welcoming address by the CEMES President, Prof. Emer. Nikolaos Zacharopoulos;
• Introduction of the Greek-Georgian Orthodox Conference by Prof. Emer. Petros Vassiliadis, President of Honour of CEMES;
• Introduction to the activities of CEMES by Dr. Nikolaos Dimitriadis, Prof. of IHU and ACT;
• The History of the Church of Georgia at its origin by Rev. Dn. George Gibradze
⦿ Opening of CEMES’s Museum.
Part Two:
• The Holy and Great Council and the Ukrainian Autocephaly as covered and scientifically analyzed by CEMES by Prof. Emer. Petros Vassiliadis, President of Honour of CEMES;
• Orthodox Theology and the Orthodox Church of Georgia by Very Rev. Hieromonk Leonide Ebralidze;
• The Beginnings of Monasticism in Georgia by Rev. Dn. Irakli Jinjolava
⦿ The participants of the Symposium meeting the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki, His All Holiness Anthimos.
Part Three:
• The Orthodox Church and the Role of Women by Dr. Eleni Kasselouri, Prof. of IHU and OHU;
• The Ordination of Deaconesses in the Orthodox Church by Prof. Panagiotis Skaltsis, President of the Theological Department of AUTH;
• Orthodoxy and Science by Prof. Petros Panagiotopoulos, Vice-President of CEMES;
• The Orthodox Church and Social Issues by Prof. Christos Tsironis, of the Theological Department of AUTH and CEMES
⦿ Conclusion and thanksgiving by Rev. Dn. Irakli Jinjolava. At the end of the conference, on behalf of the Georgian participants, Hierodeacon Irakli Jinjolava expressed his gratitude to the Greek side and as a sign of his gratitude presented a gift to them, a Georgian wine. However, on behalf of the Greek side, Prof. Petros Vassiliadis has presented a gift, for the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, which is to be used on Holy Thursday for the washing of feet. The Theological symposium contained academical and nonformal discussions. According to the participants “the symposium contained a high level of importance”. To them, it is very fruitful to have similar symposiums in the future. The participants from both sides have agreed to publish the materials of the symposium and to continue working together.
