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ORTHODOX ACADEMY OF CRETE

INSTITUTE OF THEOLOGY AND ECOLOGY

The Orthodox Academy of Crete has been cooperating for years on a national and international ecumenical level with churches, universities and various organizations, concerning the relationship of theology and ecology. As is well known, the Holy Metropolis of Kisamos and Selinon has shown a special interest in this subject in recent years. Our experiences from this activity were enriched to a degree that warranted establishing an Institute of Theology and Ecology. The establishment of the Institute was a concrete, positive response of the Orthodox Academy of Crete to the related initiatives of the Mother Church.

The Institute is able to develop its activities in cooperation with the Church, Universities of Greece and abroad. as well as with ecumenical and other Organizations that have similar objectives.

The mission of the Institute during the first stage of its work

a) The critical evaluation of the activity of the Orthodox Academy of Crete in the ecological field until now, and its further systematic development.

b) The publication of texts of ecological interest. In order of priority these are :

• Lectures. studies and other ecological texts already accumulated at the Orthodox Academy of Crete.
• An epitome of texts of ecological interest from the Holy Scriptures and the patristic, liturgical and in general the Christian Literature (original text, modern Greek translation, commentaries). The epitome will be directed in general to the intellectuals, and in particular to the teacher and student.
• Translation and publication of foreign theological and other texts of ecological content.
• Preparation and publication of a comparative Lexicon of Theology and Ecology. It will contain basic ecological terms, with analysis and comparison of their content, as understood by the ancient greek and Orthodox traditions on the one hand, and by modern science, technology, and political theory on the other. Such a lexicon is considered necessary for the effective inter-scientific dialogue and the general study of ecological issues.

c) Intensification of ecological dialogue between theologians, technologists, economists, politicians and others, taking into account related interecclesiastical and other initiatives and decisions (Ecumenical Assemblies of Basel, of Seoul, and of Canberra, the World Council of Churches' Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation programme, similar programmes of the UN, and others).

d) The development in particular of an inter-Orthodox dialogue on ecological issues under the guidance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

e) The endeavor to establish and develop inter-religious ecological dialogue (mainly between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) on the complexity of ecological problems of the Mediterranean. To formulate together and to accept an Ecological Charter of the Mediterranean, comprising basic ethical principles and mutual affirmations for long range cooperation towards the ecological protection of the Mediterranean.

f) The application of educational measures of ecological theory and praxis, especially in the framework of the international ecumenical activity of the Euro-Mediterranean Youth Centre.

g) The participation of the Institute at ecological conferences and other related events, aiming on one hand for the spiritual enrichment of the Institute and the development of its relations, and on the other hand, the interpretation of the positions of the ancient Greek and the Orthodox tradition on ecological issues.

The interlinking of Theology and Ecology mainly aims:

a) To encourage Orthodox theology to develop an interest, as demanded by the present critical circumstances, for the protection of life in all of its forms, and of the natural environment in general, taking into consideration the relevant developments in science, technology, economics and politics on a local and international level.

b) To elaborate theologically and scientifically proven recommendations to the Orthodox Churches, in order to facilitate their more effective involvment in facing the ecological problems.

c) To generate creative challenges to workers in the fields of science, technology and politics, and to invite them not to restrict themselves only to pragmatic considerations of ecological problems (with the result that the impasse is repeated and aggravated), but to take into account also the deeper ethical and spiritual causes of the ecological problmes, so that proposed solutions can be global and effective.

d) To promote scientific studies under the above aspects that principally concern the ecology of Crete and the broader Mediterranean region.

e) To apply educational programs, mainly at the postgraduate stage, on a national and international level, targeting. also the study and projection of Greek and Orthodox teaching and thinking about the basic issues of life and the world.