The Apostle Paul Institute of Orthodox Theology officially opened the 2026–2027 academic year on Tuesday, September 15, at the Ambiorix Orthodox Center in Brussels.
Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium, Exarch of the Netherlands and Luxembourg, presided over the Agiasmos service in the presence of Bishop Ioakeim of Apollonia, clergy, professors, students and guests.
In his opening remarks, Metropolitan Athenagoras highlighted the Institute’s mission since 2013 as a center for Orthodox theological education and dialogue between Orthodoxy and contemporary society.
He also welcomed a new stage in the Institute’s development through cooperation with the Faculty of Theology of the Catholic University of Louvain, which is expected to offer students new opportunities for the academic recognition and continuation of their theological studies.
Professor Christos Arabatzis of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, who will teach Patrology and assume the role of the Institute’s Director of Studies, delivered the inaugural lecture, titled “The Timeless Relevance of Patristic Texts in the Digital Age.” His address focused particularly on the relevance of the Church Fathers in a world increasingly shaped by digital technology and artificial intelligence.
During the ceremony, Metropolitan Athenagoras also presented the Institute’s diploma to Konstantinos Garofalou, secretary of the Orthodox Metropolis of Belgium and a candidate for ordination to the diaconate.
The evening concluded with a discussion following the lecture and a reception.
