Held at the Cultural Center of the Holy Archdiocese of Athens, a conference organized by the Institute, under the auspices of UNESCO on "Looking for ways to coexist with religiously different"

The purpose of the conference was to explore the problems, challenges and possible solutions arising from the coexistence of citizens of different religions.

The conference’s structure was based on two axes: a) Specialist scholars developed key points of teaching of the three major monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam - in terms of coexistence with Others), focusing mainly on tolerance, acceptance or acceptance. b) Religious ministers from the main hetero-religious and heterodox communities that exist and are active in our country highlighted the problems, challenges, positives and negatives that arise in everyday life from the coexistence of religiously different.

The following speakers participated in the meeting:

Professor Marios Begzos on "Religiosity: Tolerance or Guilt of Religious Pluralism?"

The assistant professor Konstantinos Zarras on the topic: "Children of Abraham: The Jew and the Other in a time of agony"

The associate professor, Fr. Adamantios Augustidis on the topic: "Pastoral approach to otherness"

The lecturer of the Theological School of EKPA, Michalis Marioras on: "Seeking ways of religious coexistence: Islamic perspectives"

Dr. Michalis Tsapogas on the topic: "Legal dimensions of religious coexistence in Greece"

Rabbi Gabriel Negrin, on "The act of peace: The path of faith towards coexistence"

Imam Abd al-Rasul Munir on: "The foundations of interfaith dialogue in Islam and its relation to modern reality"

His Eminence the Metropolitan of Messinia Mr. Chrysostomos on the topic: "The principle of nectar and its practical application in the context of respect for religious freedom"

Fr. Theodoros Kontidis on the topic: "Catholics in Greece today".

Ad. Dimitrios Boukis, "I am a Stranger - A law is made royal".

The moderators of the meeting were: Alexandros Vellios, journalist and Daniel Esdras, head of the Greek office of the International Organization for Migration.

The event was also greeted by: Fr. Adamantios Augoustidis on behalf of His Beatitude the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Mr. Ieronymos, the Ambassador of Indonesia Mr. Benny BAHANADEWA, the General Secretary of the Media Mr. Panopoulos Mr. Patroklos Georgiadis, the Educational Attaché of the Embassy of Egypt Mr.H. Darwish, the Educational Attaché of the Embassy of Iran Mr. Mozafari, Mr. Dimitris Papagalakis, Representative of the President of the Hellenic Commission for UNESCO, on behalf of the British Ambassador Fr. M. Bradshaw, the President of ESIEA Mr. Maria Antoniadou and of the Institute Mr. Jean Daniel Colombani.

Excerpts from the speeches:

M. Begzos: "Conversion requires our tolerance in the name of religious pluralism and is the criterion of how we coexist with the religiously different."

K. Zarras: "Let us learn from the peacemaker Aaron, from the Prince of Peace Jesus Christ or from all those who carry messages of rebuke or mutual aid. Let us learn from the contemporary law teacher of Jesus Christ, Hillel: If not me, then who? If not now, then when?

M. Marioras: "Religions through their teaching and historical testimony have proved, beyond all difficulties, that they can coexist fruitfully and creatively. Do people want it?

M. Tsapogas: "The remaining deviations of the Greek legal framework for religious freedom from the Western European Enlightenment model are an open theological issue, despite the indisputable progress that has been made and affect the prospects of a genuine interfaith dialogue under".

Gabriel Negrin: "Today, more than half of the world's population, literally or figuratively traces its origin to Patriarch Abraham. The past teaches the present to build the future. The rabbis teach: "Receive every man with a cheerful face."

A . Munir:"It is time for all Muslims, Christians and Jews to understand that this state of hatred, hatred and enmity that takes place between us is unacceptable."

The Metropolitan of Messinia, Mr. Chrysostomos, referred to the multifaceted work of the Church of Greece for the expression of coexistence, documenting its "practice" in ecclesiological criteria.

Fr. Theodoros Kontidis referred to the difficulties faced by Roman Catholics in Greece, but also to the positive developments that have been taking place for a long time.

Dimitris Boukis described the reality of the Evangelicals in Greece through various narratives.

From the Press and Communication Office