The proceedings of the International Conference entitled “Alexandria and the West: Ecclesiastical History and Geopolitics” continued successfully on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Conference Hall of the Patriarchal Library.
The conference is organized by the Patriarchate of Alexandria, in collaboration with the Hellenic Institute of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Studies of Venice.
The second day of the conference confirmed its high academic level and once again highlighted the historic role of Alexandria as a center of theological thought, ecclesiastical witness, and a fruitful meeting point between East and West.
During the second session, chaired by Professor Ioannis Panagiotopoulos, President of the Department of Theology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the following speakers presented their papers:
Professor Apostolos Kralidis, President of the Department of Social Theology and Christian Culture of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with the topic: “Alexandria and the West: Religious Pluralism and the Formation of Identities in Late Antiquity.”
Grigorios Liantas, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Theology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and Nikolaos Tzoumerkas, postdoctoral researcher at the same university, with the topic: “The Issue of Primacy in the Correspondence of Pope Gregory I with Patriarch Eulogius of Alexandria.”
Professor Christos Arabatzis of the Faculty of Theology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with the topic: “Patristic Authority and Ecclesiastical Diplomacy: The Use of Cyril of Alexandria’s Trinitarian Theology in Efforts for Rapprochement between East and West.”
During the third session, chaired by Professor Apostolos Kralidis, the following speakers delivered presentations:
Professor Ioannis Panagiotopoulos, with the topic: “The Patriarchate of Alexandria in the Conflict between Old and New Rome during the Time of Photius the Great.”
Professor Emmanouil Karageorgoudis, Dean of the Faculty of Theology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, with the topic: “Cyril Lucaris and the Search for Protestant Support in Response to Roman Catholic Expansion.”
Professor Athanasios Kapsalis, President of the Higher Ecclesiastical Academy of Athens, with the topic: “Christian Life and Witness in Mamluk Alexandria (13th – early 16th century).”
Following a substantive and fruitful discussion on the topics presented in the above session—especially in light of the wise and pastoral remarks of Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria, which added depth and an ecclesiastical dimension to the dialogue—the fourth session took place, chaired by Professor Athanasios Kapsalis.
During this session, presentations were delivered by Associate Professor Georgios Pitsinelis of the Faculty of Philosophy of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, on the topic: “The Alexandrian Patristic Tradition in Western Printing Houses (15th–17th centuries): Publishing Networks and Ecclesiastical Geopolitics,” and by Associate Professor Aikaterini Korre of the Ionian University, on the topic: “Geopolitics, Economy, and Religion in the Southeastern Mediterranean: The Institution of the Venetian Consulate in Alexandria, Egypt.”
During the fifth and final session, chaired by Associate Professor Panagiotis Tzoumerkas, President of the Supervisory Committee of the Hellenic Institute of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Studies of Venice, the paper of Bishop Damaskinos of Mareotis was presented, entitled: “The Patriarchate of Alexandria and the Church of Rome in the 20th and 21st Centuries: A Path of Dialogue and Common Witness in the Face of Contemporary Challenges.”
This was followed by the presentation of Dr. George Farag, researcher at the Orthodox Center for Patristic Studies in Cairo, on the topic: “The Relationship between the Coptic Church and the Roman Catholic Church.”
Before the conclusion of the session, Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria shared with the participants valuable historical insights and personal memories regarding the decisive role of the late Patriarch of Alexandria Parthenios III of Alexandria in inter-Christian dialogue.
He emphasized that the frequent contacts and meetings of the late Patriarch with bishops and representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, within the framework of theological dialogues and cooperation initiatives, contributed significantly to bringing the Patriarchate of Alexandria closer to the Roman Catholic Church. His wisdom, broad education, and charismatic personality proved to be valuable assets in overcoming difficulties and building meaningful bridges of communication.
He also underlined the important contribution and active role of the Patriarchate of Alexandria in the Council of Churches of the Middle East and the Council of Churches of Egypt. Through the work and meetings of these bodies, communication with leaders of the Roman Catholic Church is continually cultivated, bringing the Churches closer both in dialogue and in substantive cooperation, particularly on issues concerning the sensitive region in which they live and minister.
All of the above, His Beatitude stressed, demonstrate that dialogue is not a utopia, but a living reality that continues to develop and holds a future for the benefit of the Churches and all humanity.
Concluding, he noted that this path of dialogue does not concern only two Churches, but all humanity, since in a fragmented world, every effort toward reconciliation serves as a powerful reminder that unity remains possible.
Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria warmly congratulated the organizers, speakers, and all participants, emphasizing that the Patriarchate of Alexandria will continue to support initiatives of academic dialogue, historical awareness, and meaningful witness in the modern world.
It is noted that, on the occasion of the feast of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark—the Throne Feast of the Patriarchate of Alexandria—a Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the morning at the Patriarchal Chapel of Saints Theodore, presided over by the Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, in the presence of all professors and conference participants.
Among those in prayerful attendance were Metropolitan George of Guinea and Mauritius, Metropolitan Germanos of Tamiatheos, and Bishop Damaskinos of Mareotis, Patriarchal Vicar of Alexandria.
On the same day, the Patriarch received in the Throne Hall a group of pilgrims from the Romanian Orthodox Church, who, following their meeting with His Beatitude, were given a guided tour of the Patriarchal Cathedral premises.
