From December 7–10, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland, the 12th Academic Consultation between Judaism and Orthodox Christianity was held, organized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations (IJCIC). The meeting, which marks nearly five decades of interfaith dialogue between the two great religious traditions, had as its central theme “The Holiness of Place – The Holiness of Space.”
In his opening address, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew emphasized that sacred space “is not a museum of beauty,” but a moral and spiritual calling that guides the faithful toward justice, compassion, and holiness. He underlined that worship is not a detachment from the world, but a transformation of it.
The consultation proceedings included sessions on the nature of holiness, the interpretation of religious texts, and the challenges posed by digital culture. Participants also visited the Beth-Yaacov Synagogue of Geneva and the Orthodox Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambésy.
The Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania was represented by Dr. Theodhori Qesko, professor at Logos University College, who conveyed the message of His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania. In his greeting, the Archbishop emphasized:
“The Orthodox Church of Albania, which experienced complete destruction under the atheist regime and was resurrected by the grace of God, deeply understands how precious every holy place is. We saw churches and synagogues turned into warehouses, mosques demolished, and holy books burned. But holiness does not dwell only in stones, but above all in the hearts of the faithful.”
Referring to the challenges of the modern era, he continued:
“Digital spaces expand the boundaries of human communication and worship. Our common witness to the holiness of every place where humanity meets the Divine has special significance today. We hope that this meeting will strengthen mutual understanding, interfaith respect, and peaceful coexistence.”
Additionally, the representative of our Church, at the invitation of the organizers, had the honor of presenting at the third session of the meeting on the topic: “Holiness in spaces beyond the primary ones: an Orthodox Eucharistic approach and the case of Albania.”
The consultation concluded with the adoption of the official communiqué and a commitment to further deepen interfaith dialogue at the international level.
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