A Seminar for Theologians of the University of Sofia (Bulgaria) was held last week, October 7 to 11, organized by the Volos Academy of Theological Studies in collaboration with the Theological Faculty of the University of Sofia, supported by the Metropolis of Demetrias. The aim of the Seminar was to familiarize the participants with the latest trends in Greek and international Orthodox theology, in relation to contemporary challenges (secularism, globalization, religious pluralism, open society), and also with the latest interpretive attempts in areas such as Palamic and New Testament studies and Canon Law, offering access to sources and to the contemporary bibliography, along with an adequate overview of the latest developments in these fields.

Lectures were given by Pantelis Kalaitzidis (Director, Volos Academy of Theological Studies) "New Trends in Greek Orthodox Theology", "Orthodoxy and Modernity", "Orthodoxy and Nationalism", "Orthodoxy and Ecumenical Dialogue"; Stavros Yangazoglou (Deputy Professor of Dogmatics, Faculty of Theology, University of Athens) "The reception of St. Gregory Palamas in the 20th century: Tendencies and currents" and "Palamism or neo-patristic synthesis: Toward a Hermeneutic Update of the Theology of St. Gregory Palamas"; Ekaterini Tsalampouni (Professor of New Testament, Faculty of Theology, University of Thessaloniki) "Towards an Orthodox hermeneutic of the New Testament"; Nikolaos Asproulis (Deputy Director of the Volos Academy for Theological Studies; Lecturer at the Hellenic Open University) "From George Florovsky to John D. Zizioulas: Continuitiy or discontinuity and the future of Orthodox Theology"; Metropolitan Grigorios (Papathomas) of Peristeri (Professor of Canon Law, Faculty of Theology, University of Athens) "Introduction to Canon Law" and "The Canonical Collections of the Orthodox Church". There was a variety of different approaches to the examination of theological issues, working methods on theological texts, and ways of analyzing and synthesizing opinions, while the importance of dialogue –within Orthodoxy but also with other confessions– was emphasized as a starting point for theological progress. At the beginning of the Seminar, His Eminence Ignatius, Metropolitan of Demetrias, offered a welcoming address, referring to "the need to create bridges and not walls". In the context of getting to know the wider area of ​​Magnesia and the Metropolis of Demetrias, the group of the Bulgarian theologians also visited the Museum of Byzantine Art and Culture, in Makrinitsa.

The seminar, which was a part of the university exchange programme, was attended by professors, assistant professors, lecturers, and students of the Theological Faculty of the University of Sofia "Saint Clement of Ohrid" plus also independent researchers, led by the Deputy Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Sveto Ribolov. The Seminar was evaluated as particularly positive by both sides, as it provided an opportunity for active communication and exchange of ideas. A detailed report on the seminar work is published on https://tinyurl.com/dveriseminar (in Bulgarian)