From January 16-18, 2026, an international conference titled “Theology as Witness – The Missionary and Ecclesiastical Vision of Archbishop Anastasios” was organized by the Society of Friends of Intercultural, Interreligious and Orthodox Missionary Studies “Memory and Innovation” in cooperation with the two Departments of Social Theology and Religious Studies of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and St. Ignatius College based in Sweden.
The conference honored the emblematic personality of the blessed Archbishop Anastasios, who served for many years as Professor of Religious Studies in the Department of Social Theology and, in many ways, always maintained ties with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
The conference was hosted by the General Secretariat of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece at the Synodal Palace and was honored by the presence of His Beatitude, the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, Mr. Hieronymos II, who delivered a warm greeting during the opening session on January 16, 2026. It was also honored by the presence of representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarch, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and authorities on Administrative Affairs and Public Diplomacy.
Participants were also greeted by the directors of the “Memory and Innovation” Society and both Departments of Social Theology and Religious Studies, as well as by the dean of St. Ignatius College.
Metropolitan Nikolaos of Apollonia and Fier, representative of our Church at the conference, first conveyed the greeting of Archbishop Joan, who could not be present as he was in Brussels for another conference in honor of the blessed Archbishop Anastasios. Archbishop Joan, on behalf of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, warmly thanked for this excellent initiative.
In his greeting, he emphasized that Archbishop Anastasios is an integral part of the history and academic life of the University, which he served with honor for many years as Professor of History of Religions and Missionary Studies. Through his teaching and research work, he inspired generations of students and laid the foundations for modern Orthodox missionary theology. As has been rightly emphasized: “After centuries, thanks to Anastasios, the missionary awakening of the Orthodox Church occurred, the opening of its horizons to the whole world.”
His work transcended the boundaries of theoretical theology. His books, essays, and articles, although written at different times and for different audiences, are distinguished by their unity and internal coherence. This shows that these are not random texts, but the mature and lucid thought of a theologian, the loving care of a spiritual shepherd, as well as the dedication of a responsible Christian to the present and future of humanity – Archbishop Joan emphasized in his greeting.
Also, His Eminence Nikolaos delivered the keynote address of the first day of the conference with the theme: “The theological vision of Archbishop Anastasios and its significance for our time.” Among other things, he emphasized that Archbishop Anastasios succeeded, with his writings and especially with his personal missionary and pastoral life and work, so that today in the Orthodox world it is said that mission is a fundamental task of Orthodoxy.
On the second day of the conference, academics and scholars from Sweden, Kenya, Romania, Albania, and Greece participated with original papers.
On Sunday, on the third day, at the “Annunciation of the Theotokos” Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Athens, an Archieratical Divine Liturgy and Memorial Service were held in memory of our blessed Archbishop Anastasios, presided over by His Eminence Nikolaos.
This Conference was supported by the Holy Archdiocese of Athens, the Apostolic Service of the Church of Greece, the “Memory and Innovation” Society, Maistros Publications, Akritas, Aparkia, etc., who will also enable the publication of its proceedings.
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