Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia Speaks at Conference on Divine Compassion

Monday, July 07, 2014

Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia Speaks at Conference on Divine Compassion

 

(Brookline, MA) His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston warmly welcomed the renowned theologian Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia to the Metropolis and the conference on “Divine Compassion: Women in the Church, Theological Perspectives.” The conference was held at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA on June 20-21, 2014. 

In his welcome, Metropolitan Methodios spoke of the profound influence which the lectures and writings of Metropolitan Kallistos has had on the life of the Church. He also took note of Metropolitan Kallistos’ distinguished service to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and his participation in the Orthodox-Catholic International Theological Consultation and the International Orthodox-Anglican Theological Consultation on which he is the chairman. This was followed by greetings from Dr. James Skedros, Dean of Holy Cross School of Theology and Dr. Kyriaki FitzGerald, Executive Director of St. Catherine’s Vision.

Over two hundred people from the United States and Canada attended the conference which was sponsored by the Metropolis of Boston, Holy Cross School of Theology, and St. Catherine’s Vision, an organization  of women theologians and other lay servant-leaders committed to “the building up of the body of Christ” (Eph.4:12).

In his keynote address, Metropolitan Kallistos emphasized the compassion of the Son of God who became human and identified himself with all aspects of our life. He also declared that, following the example of Christ, compassion is essential to all expressions of ministry.

Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, a student of Metropolitan Kallistos at Oxford University, recalled his scholarly activities as well as his care and concern for those who studied with him.

Presentations at the conference were also made by Dr. Despina Prassas, Pres. Iulia Curtright, Fr. Robert and Pres. Susan Arida, Pres. Christina Reimann, Dr. George Stavros, Dr. Fotini Kapsalis, Dr. Kyriaki FitzGerald, and Pres. Athanasia Kostakis.

Metropolitan Kallistos closed the conference be affirming the uniqueness of every human person. He said that “no one is redundant” since each is created in the ‘image and after the likeness’ of God.  He also emphasized that we need to “continue to explore new ways for the roles of women in the Church . . .  and that compassion transforms our relationships with others.”