From May 6 to 8, 2025, the 1st International Symposium of Theological Faculties of the Universities of Balamand (Lebanon), Thessaloniki, and Athens took place at the Faculty of Theology of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Participants explored the central theme: ‘Antioch and Early Christianity. From the Apostolic Kerygma to the Faith of Nicaea’.
The Symposium was co-organized by the Theological Faculties of the Universities of Balamand, Thessaloniki, and Athens under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic.
Addressing the Symposium, which was part of the events to mark the 100th anniversary of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, were His Beatitude John X, Patriarch of the Great City of God Antioch, Syria, Arabia, Cilicia, Iberia, Mesopotamia, and All the East, His All Holiness Philotheos, Metropolitan of Thessaloniki, the Deputy Minister for Greeks Abroad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, Mr Yiannis Loverdos, the Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy at the same Ministry, Ms Maira Myrogianni, the Rector of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Professor Charalambos Feidas, and the Deans of the organizing three Faculties of Theology.
Representing the School of Theology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens were the speakers: Professor Dimitrios Moschos, Chair of the NKUA’s Department of Theology, Professors Konstantinos Belezos, Athanasios Glaros, and Eirini Christinaki, and Assistant Professor Fotios Apostolos.
The Symposium was an academic milestone that contributed to this year’s scholarly events commemorating the 1,700th anniversary of the 1st Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. At the same time, it opened a series of International Symposia to be co-organized in the years to come by the Theological Faculties of the Universities of Balamand, Thessaloniki, and Athens, with the aim of strengthening dialogue and cooperation in the fields of Orthodox theology and education.
