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Published
by the
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America,
August 11, 2005
Renowned Guest Speakers
Scheduled for International Conference on
Violence and Christian Spirituality to be
held in Boston |
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August 11, 2005
Brookline - Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of
Theology, in cooperation with the World Council
of Churches and the Boston Theological Institute
has announced more of its program details and
roster of world-renowned theologians who will
address attendees at the International
Conference on Violence and Christian
Spirituality to be held on the Brookline college
campus from October 27 to 29,
Rev. Nicholas C. Triantafilou, President of Holy
Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, issued
the following purpose statement to describe the
upcoming Conference:
"Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology is
honored to host, under the Chairmanship of the
Reverend Doctor Emmanuel Clapsis, Dean, the
international conference, Violence and Christian
Spirituality: An Ecumenical Conversation. The
purpose of this international conference is to
sensitize the Christian churches of their
responsibility to work and to contribute their
own resources in assisting humanity to develop a
culture of peace and justice to overcome the
roots of violence, oppression and despair that
has led to explosions of cruelty and terror in
many parts of the world. The scope of the
conference will be achieved by exploring the
root causes of violence in the modern world, as
well as the challenges and the responsibility of
the Christian churches, from an
interdisciplinary and critical perspective, that
includes contributions by social scientists,
theologians, religious and community leaders."
"Violence is a universal scourge that tears at
the core fabric of community and, as such, is an
immediate threat to human life. The physical,
psychological and spiritual consequences of
violence reach far beyond those directly
afflicted: children, loved ones and neighbors
all share in the trauma of violence. The
far-reaching repercussions of violence are
further accentuated when the source of the
trauma comes from those in nurturing roles such
as parent or spouse. By extending invitations to
the world’s foremost authorities in the critical
study of peace and violence, the Orthodox
Christian community views this program as an
opportunity to contribute directly to Decade to
Overcome Violence (2001-2010) initiative of the
World Council of Churches and the Violence for
the Children of the World (2001-10) directive of
the United Nations. Through the study of the
multiple and complex aspects of violence, Holy
Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology,
consistent with its mission to offer pastoral
solutions to the challenges and complexities of
the contemporary world, intends to broaden those
aspects of the Eastern Christian tradition that
contribute to the building of a culture of
peace."
Of significance in this year’s conference will
be the Keynote Address by His Eminence,
Archbishop Demetrios of America, titled “A
Christian Spirituality of Peace and Justice in a
Violent World.” His Eminence will address how
Christian Spirituality as it is embodied in the
Orthodox tradition contributes to and advances a
culture of justice and peace.
In addition to guest speakers that include Dr.
Marc Gopin, Director of the Center for World
Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution at
George Mason University; Dr. Ioannis Petrou,
Professor of Social Ethics at the University of
Thessalonike’s School of Theology; the General
Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Dr.
Sam Kobia; and Dr. John Witte, jr., Director of
the Center for Interdisciplinary Study of
Religion at Emory University in Atlanta; other
noted figures who will address attendees will
include: Dr. Tarek Mitri, Inter-Religious
Relations and Dialogue. World Council of
Churches; Dr. Ioannis Petrou, Professor of
Social Ethics, School of Theology, University of
Thessalonike; Dr. Antonios Kireopoulos, Asst.
General Secretary for International Affairs and
Peace, National Council of Churches; Rev. Dr.
Diane C. Kessler, Executive Director,
Massachusetts Council of Churches; Dr. Philip
Mamalakis, Asst. Professor of Pastoral Theology,
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology;
Dr. David Little, T.J. Dermot Dunphy Professor
of the Practice of Religion, Ethnicity and
International Conflict, Harvard Divinity School;
Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou, Assoc. Director,
Institute on Religion and World Affairs, Boston
University; and Rev. Dr. Fernando Enns,
Professor of Systematic Theology, University of
Heidelberg, Germany.
The official conference hotel will be the Hilton
Dedham-Boston Hotel, which will extend special
room rates to attendees. Registration fees for
the three day conference, including all meals is
$80 per person if registered before September
20, and $100 for registration between September
21 and the conference start of October 27. For
more information, contact Rev. Dr. Emmanuel
Clapsis at the College. (617) 731-3500 or email:
eclapsis@hchc.edu.
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
is the only Greek Orthodox seminary and graduate
center for Orthodox higher education in
American. Home of the Archbishop Iakovos Library
and Learning Resource Center, Holy Cross shares
its campus with Hellenic College, the only fully
accredited Christian Orthodox undergraduate
liberal arts college in America. The schools are
located at 50 Goddard Avenue in Brookline,
Massachusetts.
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