Roster of Renowned Guest Speakers Grows as Preparations Underway for Fall 2005 International Conference on Violence and Christian Spirituality to be held in Boston

Brookline - Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, in cooperation with the World Council of Churches and the Boston Theological Institute has announced more of its program details and roster of world-renowned theologians who will address attendees at the International Conference on Violence and Christian Spirituality to be held on the Brookline college campus from October 27 to 29,

Rev. Nicholas C. Triantafilou, President of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, issued the following purpose statement to describe the upcoming Conference:

"Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology is honored to host, under the Chairmanship of the Reverend Doctor Emmanuel Clapsis, Dean, the international conference, Violence and Christian Spirituality: An Ecumenical Conversation. The purpose of this international conference is to sensitize the Christian churches of their responsibility to work and to contribute their own resources in assisting humanity to develop a culture of peace and justice to overcome the roots of violence, oppression and despair that has led to explosions of cruelty and terror in many parts of the world. The scope of the conference will be achieved by exploring the root causes of violence in the modern world, as well as the challenges and the responsibility of the Christian churches, from an interdisciplinary and critical perspective, that includes contributions by social scientists, theologians, religious and community leaders."

"Violence is a universal scourge that tears at the core fabric of community and, as such, is an immediate threat to human life. The physical, psychological and spiritual consequences of violence reach far beyond those directly afflicted: children, loved ones and neighbors all share in the trauma of violence. The far-reaching repercussions of violence are further accentuated when the source of the trauma comes from those in nurturing roles such as parent or spouse. By extending invitations to the world's foremost authorities in the critical study of peace and violence, the Orthodox Christian community views this program as an opportunity to contribute directly to Decade to Overcome Violence (2001-2010) initiative of the World Council of Churches and the Violence for the Children of the World (2001-10) directive of the United Nations. Through the study of the multiple and complex aspects of violence, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, consistent with its mission to offer pastoral solutions to the challenges and complexities of the contemporary world, intends to broaden those aspects of the Eastern Christian tradition that contribute to the building of a culture of peace."

Of significance in this year's conference will be the Keynote Address by His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios of America, titled "A Christian Spirituality of Peace and Justice in a Violent World." His Eminence will address how Christian Spirituality as it is embodied in the Orthodox tradition contributes to and advances a culture of justice and peace.

In addition to guest speakers that include Dr. Marc Gopin, Director of the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University; Dr. Ioannis Petrou, Professor of Social Ethics at the University of Thessalonike's School of Theology; the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Dr. Sam Kobia; and Dr. John Witte, jr., Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Study of Religion at Emory University in Atlanta; other noted figures who will address attendees will include: Dr. Tarek Mitri, Inter-Religious Relations and Dialogue. World Council of Churches; Dr. Ioannis Petrou, Professor of Social Ethics, School of Theology, University of Thessalonike; Dr. Antonios Kireopoulos, Asst. General Secretary for International Affairs and Peace, National Council of Churches; Rev. Dr. Diane C. Kessler, Executive Director, Massachusetts Council of Churches; Dr. Philip Mamalakis, Asst. Professor of Pastoral Theology, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology; Dr. David Little, T.J. Dermot Dunphy Professor of the Practice of Religion, Ethnicity and International Conflict, Harvard Divinity School; Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou, Assoc. Director, Institute on Religion and World Affairs, Boston University; and Rev. Dr. Fernando Enns, Professor of Systematic Theology, University of Heidelberg, Germany.

The official conference hotel will be the Hilton Dedham-Boston Hotel, which will extend special room rates to attendees. Registration fees for the three day conference, including all meals is $80 per person if registered before September 20, and $100 for registration between September 21 and the conference start of October 27. For more information, contact Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Clapsis at the College. (617) 731-3500 or email: [email protected].

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology is the only Greek Orthodox seminary and graduate center for Orthodox higher education in American. Home of the Archbishop Iakovos Library and Learning Resource Center, Holy Cross shares its campus with Hellenic College, the only fully accredited Christian Orthodox undergraduate liberal arts college in America. The schools are located at 50 Goddard Avenue in Brookline, Massachusetts.