IOTA Conference

From January 12–14, more than 400 Orthodox Christian scholars from all over the world — the largest such gathering in modern times — came together in Volos, Greece for the second mega-conference of the International Orthodox Theological Association (IOTA). Six members of St Cyril’s faculty participated in the conference, chairing sessions and presenting papers. The conference, whose theme was Mission and the Orthodox Church, brought together leading Orthodox (Eastern and Oriental) scholars from all fields, jurisdictions and backgrounds to discuss and think prayerfully and rigorously about the mission of the Orthodox Church in today’s world.In the spirit of the Orthodox tradition, the conference combined the academic and the spiritual. In the words of the organisers, “The gathering included a wonderful mix of the intellectual, liturgical, and spiritual aspects of the Orthodox tradition. The conference opened with prayer, offered daily worship, and closed with the Divine Liturgy. The presence of hierarchs from eight (seven Eastern Orthodox, one Oriental) Churches, along with many clergy and monastics, highlighted the spiritual and ecclesial quality of the conference, reminding the participants that the intellectual community also serves the Church.” Hierarchs from eight Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches were in attendance, including the Coptic Orthodox Church, represented by HG Bishop Suriel (and HE Metropolitan Thomas of al-Qusiyah who was unable to attend in person).