The Orthodox Church, during her history of over 2000 years could overcome the obstacles through dialogue, reconciliation and witness. On the way to the end of time she has trust in Tradition and Theology, especially with her vivid liturgical way of life. Where are we today? Professors from Greece and abroad will try to answer to this question, developing all the above elements of Orthodox theology. Lay members of Churches, as well as theologians, clergy and students, men and women, can attend the seminar.

From July 14 to 27 and for the fourth consecutive year, the Holy Metropolis of Dimitrias and Almyros will organize the Summer Academy of Theological Studies, under the Presidency of His Eminence Metropolitan of Dimitrias Ignatios and the auspices of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece.

Aim of the Academy is to provide theological knowledge to those who have not had any previous systematic study of Orthodox Theology, as well as to those who wish to supplement their knowledge, by attending lectures and being in the company of professors from Greece and abroad. The lessons are in seminar format (theological introductions and discussions), as well as visits to Monasteries and rural and urban Parishes in the broader region of Pelion and Magnesia.

The lessons take place in a conference room at the Holy Metropolis and this year the seminar will be hosted at the Parish Center of the Church of Saint George in New Achialos, near the archeological site of Phthiotides Thives. The accommodation will be in hotels near the beach.


INFORMATIONS
REGISTRATIONS

HOLY METROPOLIS OF DIMITRIAS
ACADEMY OF THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
Katerina Karkala-Zorba
Conference Center of Melissatika
385 00 Melissatika - Volos
Tel. & Fax: +30-24210-61700
Å-mail: women@imd.gr


PROGRAMME OF SUMMER LECTURES

1ST WEEK: JULY, 14 - 20 2003
CHURCH ON THE WAY
Lectures:
· Georgios Galitis, Professor, University of Athens, "Unity and Diversity in Expression and Faith"
· Petros Vassiliadis, Professor University of Thessaloniki, "Christianity and the World",
· Konstantinos Zorbas, Dr. Theol., Sociologist, Co-ordinator of Academy, "Church on the Way"
· Dimitra Koukoura, Professor, Univ. of Thessaloniki, "Women in the Ecumenical Dialogue"
· Yorgos Lemopoulos, World Council of Churches (WCC), "Actual Tendancies of the Dialogue Between the Churches at the WCC"
· Grigorios Larentzakis, Professor, University of Graz/Austria, "Principles and Presuppositions of the Dialogue Between the Churches"
· Bishop of Batska Irineij, Novi Sad, "The Obstacles in the Ecumenical Dialogue'
· Fr. Grigorios Papathomas, Professor, Institute of Saint Serge, Paris, "The Orthodox Church in West Europe"
· Fr. Ioan Sauca, Director Ecumenical Institute of Bossey, Geneva, " The Common Voice Within the Orthodox Dialogues" (in English)

Wednesday, July 16:
All day Excursion to the wonderful mount Pelion, with introduction to the wood carved Iconostasis of the Churches of Saint Marina (in Kissos), Saint Paraskevi (Tsangarada). Chania and Diner in Makrinitsa.

Weekend, July 19-20:
Pilgrimage Excursion to the Holy Monastery of Saint John the Baptist (in Anatoli/Agia). Information about the Monastery, discussion with the Nuns. Overnight stay at the Monastery, and Liturgy on Sunday. On the way back visit of Parishes.


2nd Week: July 21 - 27, 2003
"ORTHODOX THEOLOGY AND SPIRITUALITY"
The Ecumenical Institute of Bossey in Geneva is organizing in the frame of its lectures a Seminar on Orthodox Theology. All those who want to deepen in Faith and Spirituality can attend the Seminar. Professors from Greece and abroad will provide the lectures, like "Orthodox Spirituality", "Orthodoxy and Orthopraxy", "Introduction in Orthodox Theology", "The Role of Women in the Church", etc., while there will be also discussion groups and meetings with local people in Parishes, Churches and Monasteries.
Lecturers:
· Fr. Ioan Sauca, Director Ecumenical Institute Bossey, Geneva
· Robert Welsh, Member of WCC Faith & Order Commission
· Ilias Liamis, Theologian
· Konstantinos Zorbas, Dr. Theol., Sociologist
· Katerina Karkala-Zorba, Linguist, Theologian, Co-President of Ecum. Forum of European Christian Women


There will be also:
· Group Discussions
· Visits to local Parishes
· Excursions to Monasteries of the region
· Participation at local feasts, like of Saint Paraskevi, Saint Panteleimon and others.

Open Discussions:
"Interorthodox Co-operation and Interchristian Dialogue"
"The Meaning of the Interreligious Dialogues"

Round Table: "The Church on the Way"
With: Y. Lemopoulos (moderator), Metr. Ignatios, Bishop Irineij, Fr. Ioan Sauca, Robert Welsh, Gr. Larentzakis, Petr. Vassiliadis