10/07/2025 15:15
- 17:30
HALL: Lecture Hall 33
Proponent:
John J.M.
Chair:
Luhmann L.
Speaker:
John J.M.,
Kakouris G.,
Luhmann L.
Faith in Transition: Christian Orthodox Minorities in Changing Western Europe
The panel deals with the changes that come along with the presence of Orthodox Christians in Western Europe. In a relatively short term two unpreceded transformations have taken place: First: the secularization of the present Western society and shrinking of the traditional Western Churches. And secondly the rise of the orthodox churches from an outsider to a bigger player in the religious that is still growing in numbers. The Orthodox in Western Europe cannot be longer ignored because now there is Orthodox religious education at schools, and the Orthodox clergy are present in ecumenical gatherings more often. The founding of more and more orthodox congregations is followed by a growing visibility and a higher self-esteem. Further this growth is changing the religious demography of the western Europe which brings unprecedented changes to the western societies. Different aspects of this process will be presented by the panelists.