Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • OCA Holy Synod Elects Archimandrite Vasily (Permiakov) as Bishop of San Francisco and the West
    • Dr. Vigen Guroian Speaking on the Unity of the Orthodox Church and Orthodox Christian Student Fellowships on College Campuses in America
    • American Orthodoxy Today: Results from the Pew and CES Surveys
    • Summer Edition (Vol. 1, No. 3, 2025) of the St Sophia Quarterly
    • The Power of a Backpack: A Short Film by FOCUS
    • OCMC Board of Directors Appoints Dr. Nathan Hoppe as New Executive Director
    • Suprasl: Enhancing the Awareness of Unity – July 2025 Newsletter
    • Video: A Vision for Orthodox Christianity’s Future in North America
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
    • Home
    • OCL
      • About OCL
      • Leadership
      • OCL News
      • OCL Publications
      • Focused Study and Research Topics
      • OCL Archives at DePaul University
    • Orthodox News & Links
      • Orthodox News Stories
      • Headlines & News Archives
      • Governance & Unity
        • Governance Top Stories
        • Governance & Unity Essays
        • Grassroots Unity in Action
      • OCL Forums
      • Orthodox Christian Laity News
      • Web Links
    • Audio & Video
      • Audio Index
      • Video Index
    • Contact
    • Make a Donation
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    You are at:Home»Orthodox News»IOTA’s Inaugural Conference is the largest International Gathering of Orthodox Scholars in Modern History

    IOTA’s Inaugural Conference is the largest International Gathering of Orthodox Scholars in Modern History

    1
    By Webmaster on January 17, 2019 Orthodox News, Orthodox News Top Stories
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Telegram WhatsApp Copy Link

    Source: International Orthodox Theological Association (IOTA)

    The Holy and Great Council of Crete in 2016 demonstrated that pan-Orthodox gatherings are possible in our time. In response to the call of the conciliar spirit, and with the blessing of the Church leadership, the International Orthodox Theological Association (IOTA) assembled for its Inaugural Conference in Iaşi, Romania on January 9-12, 2019. Founded by Dr. Paul L. Gavrilyuk (President), Dr. Gayle E. Woloschak (Vice-President and Treasurer), Dr. Carrie Frederick Frost (Secretary), and a group of leading scholars (Group Chairs), IOTA’s mission is to promote the international exchange of knowledge within the context of the Orthodox tradition.

    Left to Right: Dr. Gayle Woloschak (IOTA Vice-President), Metropolitan Teofan of Iasi (host), Dr. Carrie Frederick Frost (IOTA Secretary), Dr. Paul L. Gavrilyuk (IOTA President)

    The overarching theme of the conference was Pan-Orthodox Unity and Conciliarity. The Keynote Address was given by His Eminence Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware). As Metropolitan Kallistos noted in his speech: “We have to confess, with humility and realism, that while we affirm synodality in theory, all too often we have neglected it in practice.” IOTA rose to this challenge by providing a vivid experience of “conciliarity from below.” With several hundred scholars from over 40 countries and all six continents, the Inaugural Conference was the largest and the most representative gathering of Orthodox church leaders, scholars, and professionals in modern history.

    Opening Day Te Deum Service at the Metropolitan’s Cathedral. Presider: Metropolitan Teofan of Iasi.

    The list of conference speakers was a “Who’s Who” of global Orthodoxy. Attendees included experts in multiple disciplines, including not only theology but also natural science, history, philosophy, political science, medicine, linguistics, and the arts. A broad variety of topics were discussed in over 70 separate sessions, from fundamental philosophical and theological issues to the urgent questions of our time. Classical issues included such topics as Orthodox approaches to scripture, the doctrine of the trinity, and spirituality of Philokalia. Contemporary issues included the controversial church situation in Ukraine, ecological challenges, and the role of women in church life. A wide range of views was presented in an atmosphere of openness and collegiality.

    IOTA’s Inaugural Conference. Opening Ceremony at the National Theatre of Iasi, Romania

    The event began with a worship service offered by Metropolitan Teofan of Iaşi. It also included opportunities for communal worship, two sacred art exhibits, a pilgrimage to local monasteries, and a book exhibit to benefit emerging Orthodox scholars. The gathering was also enriched by the participation of presenters and observers from a variety of non-Orthodox faith traditions. Conference participants reported not only appreciation of the quality of the scholarly presentations, but also their delight at interacting with such a diverse gathering and a sense of spiritual renewal. Many also expressed gratitude for the overwhelming hospitality provided by Archdiocese of Iaşi and Doxologia Publishing House, whose staff, clergy, and volunteers, headed by the Cultural Advisor to the Archdiocese of Iasi and IOTA Site Chair, Mr. Catalin Jeckel, worked tirelessly to make the unprecedented event possible.

    IOTA’s Inaugural Conference, Closing Reception

    The conference was organized with the support of the Archdiocese of Iasi; Mayor’s Office of the City of Iasi; Doxologia Publishing House (Iasi, Romania); St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (USA), Huffington Ecumenical Institute, Loyola Marymount University (USA); Orthodox Christian Studies Center, Fordham University (USA); Sankt Ignatios Theological Academy (Sweden); Orthodox Theological Society in America, and other organizations.

    IOTA scholars on a pilgrimage to the Bukovina monasteries

    IOTA plans to host worldwide conferences every four years in different locations worldwide on the model of the Olympic Games.

    Would you like to learn more about IOTA? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and follow us on Twitter.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp Copy Link
    Previous ArticleThe Missions Institute at Holy Cross School of Theology and the Contributions of Fr. Luke Veronis
    Next Article Egypt: Four churches closed by furious mob — “The hate is clear”

    Related Posts

    July 16, 20251 Min Read

    Dr. Vigen Guroian Speaking on the Unity of the Orthodox Church and Orthodox Christian Student Fellowships on College Campuses in America

    July 16, 20251 Min Read

    American Orthodoxy Today: Results from the Pew and CES Surveys

    July 14, 20251 Min Read

    Summer Edition (Vol. 1, No. 3, 2025) of the St Sophia Quarterly

    1 Comment

    1. George Matsoukas on January 17, 2019 2:20 pm

      IOTA Closing Session Saturday Evening – Reception at Metropolitan Chancery in Iasi

      Metropolitan Teofan hosted a reception at the Chancery in Iasi on the final night of the IOTA Meeting. The hospitality extended to participants by His Eminence and the staff throughout the time we spent in the Metropolis was a highlight of the meeting. Even more impressive was the quality of the participants and the presentations. Over half of the presenters were young theologians, men and women, in their forties. They were well prepared, and their topics were relevant to the life of the Church in our time and place. I felt hopeful for the future of worldwide Orthodoxy. My prayer is that the hierarchs utilize the time and talent of these young theologians to address the challenges that we face as Christians in the 21st century. The theologians need to continue their work, and IOTA and others need to figure out how we will make the hierarchy, clergy and laity aware of this work and disseminate the information.

      OCL board members Gayle Woloschak and Teva Regule had prominent roles as organizers and presenters. God grant them many years!

      Also please view my address to the Conference on the topic Overview of the History of OCL Presented by Executive Director George Matsoukas in the IOTA Session: “SHOWCASE OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATIONS” here: https://ocl.org/orthodox-christian-laity-presentation-to-iota-conference/.

      George Matsoukas

      Reply
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Register for OCL's Annual Conference - October 11, 2025

    Sign the Declaration for Orthodox Christian Unity

    Enter the Slogan Contest

    Share this page
    DISCLAIMER

    All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    Stay Informed!

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT AND SUPPORT!

    Your donation impacts and helps advance the unity of the Orthodox Church of America.

    DONATE NOW

    THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

    Upcoming Events
    Notice
    There are no upcoming events.
    Recent Comments
    • Jimmy Kallis on HAVE WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM? REFLECTIONS OF A NOT-SO-INNOCENT BYSTANDER [witnessing the present decline of the Orthodox Church as an institution]
    • Lou Gaviras on How will the Female Diaconate Help Prevent Abuse?
    • pERRY tORMAS on HAVE WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM? REFLECTIONS OF A NOT-SO-INNOCENT BYSTANDER [witnessing the present decline of the Orthodox Church as an institution]
    • Perry Tormas on HAVE WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM? REFLECTIONS OF A NOT-SO-INNOCENT BYSTANDER [witnessing the present decline of the Orthodox Church as an institution]
    • Myron Kaleras on How will the Female Diaconate Help Prevent Abuse?
    • Levantios on 90% OF PEOPLE OF GREEK DESCENT HAVE LEFT THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
    • Jerry Maras on 90% OF PEOPLE OF GREEK DESCENT HAVE LEFT THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
    • John on 90% OF PEOPLE OF GREEK DESCENT HAVE LEFT THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
    • Jupiter's Son on Leading Liturgists Reaffirm the Ordination of Women to the Diaconate
    • Timothy Mulligan on Ethno-Phyletism: A Problem for the American Church
    OCL Archives Online
    Project for Orthodox Renewal
    renewal-resize
    OCL Digital Newsletter

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    MAKE A DONATION

    Sign the Declaration for Orthodox Christian Unity

    Facebook
    Twitter
    YouTube

    St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Photini are the Patron Saints of OCL

    footer-fnl

    Orthodox Christian Laity
    PO Box 6954

    West Palm Beach, FL · 33405
    561-585-0245

    Sponsored by Ann Souvall in memory of husband George

    DISCLAIMER: All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    ©2023 Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) ·  Login

    St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Photini are the Patron Saints of OCL

    footer-fnl

    Orthodox Christian Laity
    PO Box 6954

    West Palm Beach, FL · 33405
    561-585-0245

    Sponsored by Ann Souvall in memory of husband George

    DISCLAIMER: All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    ©2025 Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) ·  Login

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.