On Monday, January 15, the Director of Volos Academy for Theological Studies, Dr. Pantelis Kalaitzidis, will give a lecture on the topic “Orthodox Political Theology between neo-imperial illusions and modern challenges” at the University of Tartu, Estonia. The lecture will start at 12:15 in Room 307 of the University (in the building at Ülikooli str., 18).
Orthodox political theology is usually associated with empires and with the Byzantine idea of “Symphonia”. The latter is supposed to be represented in our post-modern, post-secular world by the Russian regime of Vladimir Putin and other authoritarian leaders, who claim to continue the genuine Orthodox tradition. However, Orthodoxy is also part of our globalized societies and aspires to democratic freedoms, peace, and justice. Facing the challenges of the modern and post-modern world, the Orthodox do not need a new emperor to solve their problems. They need more truth, justice, freedom, responsibility, and a public witness faithful to the Gospel. The question is how can they translate their robust theological and ecclesial resources, and especially Trinitarian theology, Christology, and Eucharistic ecclesiology, in a political praxis in the service of the whole community, and especially the people in need, the oppressed, and the victims of history.
Volos Academy for Theological Studies cooperates with the University of Tartu (School of Theology and Religious Studies) and the Estonian Orthodox Church in the program “Orthodox Church and Contemporary Challenges”, focusing on burning theological and social issues of the modern age that challenge both the Orthodox Church and Western society as a whole, including topics such as ecological crisis and ecotheology, spirituality and new age, imperialist narratives, nationalism, and ethnophyletism, psychology, and psychotherapy. Classes started last September and will run until next June.
See the original announcement of the lecture by the University of Tartu at http://tinyurl.com/5an6uzvy .
