Patriarch Alexy II opens the International conference ‘Eschatological Teaching of the Church’

The ‘Eschatological Teaching of the Church ’international scholarly theological conference is held in conference hall of the ‘Danilovskaya’ hotel.

Among the participants are well-known theologians and figures of secular science from different countries: professor Christos Yannaras, Archbishop Athanasius (Yevtic), professors of Theological Institute of St. Sergius in Paris, Theological Academies and Faculties of Australia, Austria, Greece, Italy, France, the USA and other countries, representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches.

Prominent political scientists, historians, philosophers and publicists also take part in the conference. The participants will deliver some sixty reports on church teaching on eschatology.

Plenary sessions, round tables and discussions will be held in the framework of the conference.

The theological conference of the Russian Orthodox Church is held every two years. It is the biggest international intellectual forum under the aegis of the Synodal Theological Commission of the Russian Orthodox Church that assembles the best Orthodox theologians of the present time to think about current problems of church and public life and to develop Christian approach to the challenges of the contemporary world.

On 14 November 2005, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia opened the conference and addressed the participants and guests with his primatial word.

Welcoming address of Speaker of the Federation Council S.Mironov to the participants of the ‘Eschatological Teaching of the Church’ international conference was read out.

M. Belogubova, Chief of the Department for Public and Religious Associations at the Office of presidential representative in the Central Federal District, read out the address of G. Poltavchenko, presidential representative in the Central Federal District.

Metropolitan Philaret of Minsk and Slutsk, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, addressed the participants on behalf of the organizers.

‘Eschatology is an important direction of theological and religious thought today. Both Orthodox and non-Orthodox Christian authors deal with it. We shall listen to the reports on the latest interpretation of Christian eschatology that should be considered in the light of church teaching and the holy tradition. Such dialogue is very useful and fruitful’, Metropolitan Philaret underscored.

Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, delivered his report on ‘God’s Providence and Human Freedom.’ Metropolitan Clement of Kaluga and Borovsk, Chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate, read out his report on ‘Eschatology in the Book of Isaiah.’

Among the speakers also were Archbishop Athanasius (Yevtic), professor Constantine Skuteris, Rev. professor Ioann Bare, professor Christos Yannaris.

The official web-site of the Synodal Theological Commission of the Russian Orthodox Church publishes the materials of the conference.