UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA

CONSISTORY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

PRESS RELEASE

UOC of the USA Represented at Scholars’ Meeting at Ecumenical Patriarchate

Dr. Gayle Woloschak, member of the Council of Metropolia of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA was among a group of 30 Orthodox Christian scholars who participated in a gathering at the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople here January 4-5, 2016 for the purpose of establishing connections with theologians and academics working in various disciplines and ministries throughout the world and to become better acquainted with their interests and aspirations for the Church, especially in light of the forthcoming Holy and Great Council.

In his address, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew noted: “We have invited you because we consider you as a small representative group of a much larger segment of our Church, a symbol of our loving concern for all those ministering to the Word of God in manifold ways throughout the world. You comprise theologians and historians, scholars and teachers, women and men from the United States and Europe, as well as from Asia and Australia.” “In this way,” he added, “we can strengthen the bonds between hierarchal ministry and lay diakonia for the benefit of the Body of Christ.” [The complete text of His All-Holiness’ address may be read here.]

The scholars in attendance presented their reflections and responses in their various fields and capacities: as heads of Orthodox seminaries and institutes; as professors in non-Orthodox academic institutions; as theologians serving in mission, religious education and publishing; and as scholar-practitioners in the natural and social sciences, as well as human rights and social justice.

The afternoon of January 5th was dedicated to an open discussion on preparations for the Holy and Great Council. His Eminence Senior Metropolitan John of Pergamon chaired two extensive sessions and addressed participants, engaging in wide-ranging discussions with the scholars about goals, challenges and opportunities of the Council.

"This conference was inspiring...I think we all walked away touched by the care and love shown by His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew and uplifted by the words of His Eminence Metropolitan John of Pergammon.  I am grateful that I had the opportunity to participate…", stated Dr. Woloschak upon her return to the United States of America, sharing with his Eminence Metropolitan Antony and His Grace Bishop Daniel her vision and thoughts about the meeting and the preparatory work for the upcoming Great Council.

Texts of the presentations will be made available as they are received.

In addition to Dr. Woloschak, other participants include the following: 

• His Eminence Senior Metropolitan John of Pergamon
• His Eminence Metropolitan Gennadios of Sassima
• His Eminence Metropolitan Elpidophoros of Bursa
• His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of Sylevria
• Very Reverend Patriarchal Deacon Theodore Meimaris
• Nikolaos Asproulis, Volos Academy for Theological Studies (Greece)
• Fr. John Behr, St Vladimir’s Seminary (USA)
• Fr. John Chryssavgis, Ecumenical Patriarchate
• Will Cohen, Scranton University (USA)
• Konstantinos Delikostantis, Athens University (Greece)
• George Demacopoulos, Fordham University (USA)
• Brandon Gallaher, Exeter University (England)
• Fr. Paul Gavrilyuk, St. Thomas University (USA)
• Tamara Grdzelidze, Vatican City (Italy)
• Perry Hamalis, North Central College (USA)
• Nathan Hoppe, Resurrection Seminary (Albania)
• Pantelis Kalaitzidis, Volos Academy (Greece)
• Philip Kariatlis, St. Andrew’s Theological College (Australia)
• Fr. Nicolas Kazarian, Sorbonne University (France)
• Elizabeta Kitanovic, European Conference of Churches (Belgium)
• John Klentos, Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute (USA)
• Fr. Panteleimon Manoussakis, Holy Cross College (USA)
• Sotiris Mitralexis, Istanbul University (Turkey)
• Fr. Chrysostomos Nassis, University of Thessaloniki (Greece)
• Aristotle Papanikolaou, Fordham University (USA)
• Athanasios N. Papathanasiou, Hellenic Open University, editor: Synaxis (Greece)
• Elizabeth Prodromou, Tufts University (USA)
• Fr. Alexander Rentel, St Vladimir’s Seminary (USA)
• James Skedros, Holy Cross School of Theology (USA)
• Dionysios Skliris, Sorbonne University (France)
• Fr. Nathanael Symeonidis, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (USA)
• Alexis Torrance, Notre Dame University (USA)
• Athanasios Vletsis, Munich University (Germany)
• Anton Vrame, Department of Religious Education (USA)
• Stavros Yangazoglou, editor: Theologia (Greece)