Broadening the Horizons of Metropolitan John Zizioulas’s Theology
International Conference on the Thought and Legacy of Metropolitan John (Zizioulas) of Pergamon
Monastery of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, Hildesheim, Germany
October 15–18, 2026
Report on the opening, October 15, 2026
Announcement · Participants and Program
The international conference “Broadening the Horizons of Metropolitan John Zizioulas’s Theology” opened today, 15 October, at 5 p.m. at the Monastery of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Hildesheim. The gathering brings together clergy, theologians, and scholars from different ecclesial and academic traditions to explore Metropolitan John’s theological legacy and its further development.
Organized by the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Germany and the John Zizioulas Foundation, the conference is hosted by His Eminence Metropolitan Grigorije, with the support of Fordham University’s Orthodox Christian Studies Center, the Faculty of Theology at the University of Göttingen, and the Volos Academy for Theological Studies.
The opening session, moderated by Hieromonk Vasilije Gavrilović, began with a message from His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, read by His Grace Bishop Isidoros of Andidon. His Grace Bishop Maxim conveyed the greeting of Andreas Goulas, President of the John Zizioulas Foundation. Deacon Kallinikos also greeted the gathering on behalf of His Eminence Metropolitan Augustinos of Germany and Exarch of Central Europe.
Welcoming participants, Metropolitan Grigorije noted that the monastery had been consecrated anew following extensive renovation only some ten days earlier. He connected its renewal with the conference’s invitation to broaden theological horizons. Describing Metropolitan John’s theology of personhood and communion as rooted in the Eucharist and oriented towards the coming Kingdom, he stressed its capacity to create space for encounter. He called for theology to address the anxieties of contemporary life with honesty, depth, and courage.
In his message, Andreas Goulas emphasized the Foundation’s responsibility to preserve Metropolitan John’s work, make it accessible to younger generations, and encourage its critical and creative development. Recalling Metropolitan John’s hope that his students would carry his thinking further, he highlighted possibilities for dialogue between eucharistic theology and the arts, science, and questions of ethos. He also underlined Metropolitan John’s lifelong commitment to Christian unity.
Professor Aristotle “Telly” Papanikolaou conveyed greetings on behalf of Fordham University’s Orthodox Christian Studies Center and his colleague Professor George Demacopoulos. Recalling that he had written his doctoral dissertation on John Zizioulas, he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to support the study of Metropolitan John’s work and thanked the hosts for their hospitality.
Professor Jennifer Wasmuth, representing the Faculty of Theology at the University of Göttingen, placed the gathering within the faculty’s longstanding commitment to ecumenical engagement and the study of Eastern Christianity. She described ecumenical encounter as a willingness to understand others and allow their perspectives to question one’s own. Bringing together participants from different confessions, countries, and languages in an Orthodox monastery in Germany, she observed, offered a concrete opportunity to overcome cultural divisions through shared life and conversation. Drawing on Zizioulas’s understanding of the Holy Spirit, she expressed the hope that the conference itself would become an event of communion.
Speaking on behalf of the Volos Academy for Theological Studies, Dr Pantelis Kalaitzidis praised the hosts’ openness and courage in providing a welcoming setting for dialogue across ecclesial traditions and differing theological approaches. He recalled the Academy’s longstanding engagement with Metropolitan John’s theology, combining admiration with critical reflection, and its organization of a conference dedicated to his work in 2011. He presented the Hildesheim gathering as a continuation of that commitment and of the cooperation among the participating institutions, offering particular thanks to Bishop Maxim for his central contribution to its organization.
The academic program began with the first session, “Reading Zizioulas Today.” An exhibition devoted to Metropolitan John, prepared by Marija Aćimović, accompanies the conference, alongside books available for participants to browse.
Photographs — Broadening the Horizons of Metropolitan John Zizioulas’s Theology Conference
