Fr. Peter Alban Heers

An address prepared for the academic conference The Mission of the Orthodox Church and The World Council of Churches (Athens, May 15, 2005), organized by the Pan-Hellenic Union of Theologians

20 photographs and icons – 50 pages – $6.00

The impact of the contemporary ecumenical movement on the life of the Church in the 20th century has been immense. Orthodox involvement has steadily increased over the years and is now generally accepted as a given. Still, many questions remain unanswered and unasked. How did the modern ecumenical movement begin? What were the causes, motivations, and reasons for its development? Why and how did the Orthodox first become involved? Did the movement for Christian unity begin with the 1920 encyclical “To the Churches of Christ Everywhere” and arise out of a search for “unity in truth” and doctrinal agreement, as is often maintained?

In this lecture, Fr. Peter Alban Heers, doctoral candidate at the School of Theology of the University of Thessaloniki, answers these questions, extensively citing authoritative sources of ecumenical history to bring us face-to-face with the historical record. The missionary movement of the 19th century, the YMCA and student movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the first World Mission Conference in Edinburgh in 1910, and the 1920 encyclical of the Church of Constantinople are all examined in order to shed light on the origins of the contemporary ecumenical movement. This booklet is essential reading for all those interested in Orthodox involvement in the ecumenical movement.

On Sale: June 2007

Posted on 04/29/07| Filed under: New Releases • Email This Entry

The Proceedings of a Pan-Orthodox Conference (Thessaloniki, Greece)

Available Winter 2007

For nearly 100 years the contemporary movement for the unification of Christianity has enjoyed the involvement of the Orthodox. Yet, despite the objections of many Orthodox Christians, the divisions among them which have developed on account of this participation, and the apparent lack of real progress toward the desired goal, there has never been a critical Pan-Orthodox examination of the phenomenon and Orthodox participation in it. This historic conference, sponsored by the School of Pastoral Theology of the University of Thessaloniki and the Society of Orthodox Studies, promises to fill this gap.

Speakers at the conference included: Metropolitan Hierotheos (Vlachos) of Nafpaktos (Greece), Metropolitan Nathaniel of Nevrokop (Bulgaria), Metropolitan John of Velesson (Patriarchate of Serbia), Bishop Artemy of Raska and Prizren (Kossovo, Serbia), Bishop Panteleimon of Ghana (Patriarchate of Alexandria), Archimandrite Joseph of Xeropotamou Monastery (Mount Athos), Archpriest George Metallinos (Athens), Archpriest Valentin Asmus (Moscow Theological School), Archpriest Zourab Antadze (Church of George), Archimandrite Christophoros Tsiakkas (Church of Cyprus), Archimandrite Demetrios Vasiliadis (Patriarchate of Jerusalem), Archpriest Theodore Zisis (Thessaloniki), Archpriest George Dragas (Boston), Geron Moses (Mount Athos), Professor Jean-Claude Larchet (France), Demetrios Tselengidis (Thessaloniki), among the nearly 60 speakers in all. 

Posted on 04/10/07| Filed under: New Releases • Email This Entry

The Timeless Wisdom of Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain for Children and Adults!
Mersine Vigopoulou

128 pages; hard cover; full-color illustrations throughout - $19.00
ISBN 960-86778-6-6

From I-ville to You-ville, the well-known, best selling Orthodox Christian children’s book of Greece, presently in its seventh printing, is now available in English. The unique and wise counsels of Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain are presented in a way that is perfect for children and adults alike. In every turn and twist of this adventure the author masterfully weaves the wisdom of the elder into the fabric of the story, constructing a seamless garment of beauty, charm and enlightenment.

Be one of the first to read and impart the life-giving lessons of You-ville to your children!

I-ville - a Kingdom where pride and selfishness dwell, and where people live by the motto “Me first!” You-ville - a Kingdom where humility and kindness have their home, and where people put the good of others before their own.
This is the story of a young boy named Stubborn, as he strives to become the first person of I-ville to make the difficult journey to the beautiful, joy-filled Kingdom of You-ville, and to become a citizen there.
As we join Stubborn in his adventures, we learn, along with him, profound lessons in how to struggle against bad thoughts and feelings. The journey of young Stubborn is one that all of us - old and young - must take, and which all of us can accomplish - if only we shrink our “I” and put “You” first!
The author, Mersine Vigopoulou resides in Souroti (Thessaloniki, Greece). She is also the author of several of other acclaimed children’s books, including the forthcoming Lady Tradition and Orthodoxy.

Posted on 04/03/07| Filed under: New Releases • Email This Entry