Eastern Catholic Theology on the Way of Unification ****************************************************************************************** * ****************************************************************************************** “People all over the world are talking about your faith.” (Rom 1, 8) This international conference is intended for everyone interested in the issues of the mut between the Christian East and West, that has crystallized in the Eastern Catholic Churche includes elements of the Roman Catholic tradition as well as the traditions of the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox Churches. The aim of the conference is to discuss the self-i of these ecclesial communities in light of their development throughout their history. And of the events preceding their unification with the Roman Catholic Church (and of course th sui iuris in communion with Roman Catholic Church) and those following. We invite contribu theologians or clergy of these churches, as well as from all scholars interested in this t interest is to deepen the dialogue between the Christian East and West and to reveal diffe to find ways of mutual understanding. Topics will cover all the major theological discipli (biblical theology, practical theology, dogmatics, church history, spirituality, missiolog art, etc.). Eastern Catholic Theology on the Way of Unification Conference programme The program may be subject to change. LINK FOR ONLINE PARTICIPATION (both days) [ URL "https://bit.ly/eastern-catholic-theol 1st DAY Hussite Theological Faculty Charles University Pacovská 350/4, Prague 4, Czech Republic, 140 21 8:00 Registration 8:50 Welcome to the participants 9:00 OPENING LECTURE (ONLINE) What can Christian West and East learn from each other? Yuriy Shchurko Dean of the Theology-Philosophy Faculty of the Ukrainian Catholic University In this short presentation, I will explore how we are defined not only by the self but als I will show that Identity is always about being different from somebody else. Thus, we wil and West are co- dependent categories. Also, I will speak about how East and West are, fro constitutive of each other and how, at the same time, East and West are relative categorie will share some reflections on what East and West should work on to be true witnesses of t shaken world. 10:00 COFFEE BREAK 10:20 KARMA MARGA: A model of the Church from Praxis (ONLINE) Lawrance Thaikattil Rector, St.John Paul II Minor Seminary, Kerala, India Professor of Ecumenism in Mary Matha Major Seminary, Thrissur, Kerala, India Professor of Major World Religions in Ghent, Belgium Model of the Church – “Karma marga” The ecclesiological discussion after 2nd Vatican Counc new horizon for the understanding of the Church in the whole world. Hence, the mission and the Church has got more clear and specific vision. This understanding of the Church has go and remarkable development even in the pluralistic countries like India. Nevertheless, the traditional understanding of church has to be redefined and expressed by using the Indian The famous models of the Church of Avery Cardinal Dulles - (1) Institution, (2) Mystical C Sacrament, (4) Herald, and (5) Servant – is the best models ever one can use enlighten the of the church in ecclesiology. Though these models explained by Dulles, it is more indispe contextual categories to explain the theology of the Church in a pluralistic country like to give a new model for the church basing on the Indian categories and situation where we deep rooted multi religious context and massive poverty, social discrimination, political exploitation. Hence, it is right to develop a model of the Church which could be relevant of the context. Aiming at this, an Indian – contextual model ‘Karma marga’ is depicted as for the Church especially in the pluralistic contextual religious situation in India. This ascertained and authenticated from the traditional epics and writings, found in the Indian and from the authentic teaching of the church. It is the attempt one can ascertain and con try to present Church as "Karma marga" 10:50 Canonical unification of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches according to the pan-Ort letters Ondrej Rác Catholic Theological Faculty, First Faculty of Medicine Charles University, Prague The so-called Great Schism is an ever-present problem. The contribution is outgoing from t the necessity to define the exact points of the canonical aspects of the schism. It uses R pan- Orthodox documents from the 19th century (the Encyclicals of the Eastern Patriarchs o He concludes on their continuing relevance and examines the applicability of the solutions the contemporary context. 11:20 Exegesis on the Covenant Renewal in Neh 8:1-18 (ONLINE) Cyriac John Valiyakunnumpurathe Paurastya Vidyapitham, Vadavathoor, Kottayam The paper is on the theme of the Covenant Renewal in the post-exilic period. When the peop returned from Babylonian exile, they had to rebuild the destructed Temple of Jerusalem. Fo prophets and the scribes, like Ezra prepared them to rebuild the Temple and infact Nehemia of Artaxerxes rebuilt the city walls of Jerusalem. The completion of the building projects in the final dedication of the Temple and the city walls. For this the Ezra urges to renew Yahweh by reading out the Torah of Moses which is followed by the response of the people o again modified with the penitential hymn that is in Neh 9:6-38. This ideology of the coven contributed to the writings of the Former Prophets, like Joshua, in whom we notice the sam content of the Text in Josh 24. The ideology of conquering the land and the subsequent set the Exodus narrative have their background in the covenant renewal ceremony of Ezra- Nehem has become the cradle of Judaism, whereby people observed the law of Sabbath and other Fea be the worshippers of One Yahweh, the King of Israel. 11:50 LUNCH BREAK 13:00 Lazarus Moore and the Westernization of the Coptic Christianity Jaroslav Franc Department of Communication Studies Sts Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theology Palacký University Olomouc The Coptic Orthodox Church has undergone in the 21st century the wave of modern renaissanc of development of doctrine, spiritual life and structure of the Church. Western influence person of Lazarus Moore plays a prominent role in inspiring Matta el-Meskeen to build the paradigm for the 21st century, staying behind the Coptic renaissance. The objective of the to envisage the ecumenical potential of Matta el-Meskeen´s theology from the Catholic pers 13:30 Christology in the liturgical texts of the Coptic Orthodox Church (ONLINE) Peter Farrington St. Mary and St. Cyril Coptic Orthodox Church, Liverpool The investigation of Christological elements in the Liturgical Theology of the Oriental Or and in the Coptic Orthodox tradition in particular, is important because it represents a l expression of Christological understanding. The rule of lex orandi, lex credendi points to tradition as a significant means of discovering what a community says about Christ, not only in the past but in the ecumenically directed present. Progress on the way of unification requires comprehension of Christological perspectives and language more than almost any other issue consideration of the texts of the liturgies, sacraments, prayers and hymns of the Coptic O allows the living Christology of this community to be discovered and described. This study especially on the texts of the liturgies, the sacraments, and hymns connected to the major Lord, but other liturgical materials in contemporary use in the Coptic Orthodox Church have also for their Christological significance. All of these represent liturgical texts which are i every congregation of the Coptic Orthodox Church. These materials illustrate the continuin understanding of Christ as being fully divine and fully human without confusion or divisio the one divine person of the Word of God incarnate without change. This research is import extends the ecumenical dialogue beyond the technical and controversial theological texts o present and considers the Christology embodied in the universally experienced prayers of the Coptic Or would be valuable to engage in a wider analysis of Christological concepts in the liturgic the other Oriental Orthodox communities as the basis for better representing their living as a contribution to mutual understanding of East and West. 14:00 Mary the ‘Ever-Virgin’ at the Councils of Constantinople II (553) and Lateran (649): Perspectives Karolína Štauberová Catholic Theological Faculty Charles University, Prague Both East and West Churches confess Mary as „Theotokos“ and „Aeiparthenos“ (Mother of God Virgin). This paper will focus primarily on the latter Mariological title, which is also s „virginitas ante partum, in partu et post partum“ (Mary being named the Ever-Virgin, i.e. and after giving birth to Christ). This title has a long history with both Eastern and Wes however its precise definition might be understood in different ways. Western dogmatic man the fundamental moments of this Mariological doctrine as the Second Council of Constantino Lateran Council (649) and the Third Council of Constantinople (680). This paper will exami was promulgated at these Councils, analyzing the particular canons on the subject in their and theological context (Neochalcedonism, reference to Three chapters’ controversy, papal authority with regards to the ecumenical councils and their outcome, problematic reception political situation, reaction to Monothelitism, etc.). The aim is to evaluate the impact o declarations in the context of the legitimacy of these (not always genuinely ecumenical) s Western and Eastern Churches, having taken into regard the authoritative nature of this do its theological implications that raise further questions about the studied Mariological t question will be to analyze the relation of this Mariological testimony to Christology and the Christological dogmas of those and previous councils. Special focus will be on the ter and its reference to Mary´s identity as Virgin and Mother. More detailed analysis of the G textual versions of the studied canons and their translations in particular can help to il Church at that time wanted to convey as its main message and what exactly according to tho define the orthodox faith. 14:30 COFFEE BREAK 14:50 Gregory of Narek: Universal Key Between East and West (ONLINE) Anush Apresyan Matenadaran– Mesrop Mashtots Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts A medieval Armenian monk and theologian, who spent most of his life at the monastery of Na Gregory of Narek (c. 945-1003) wrote a number of works, including a substantial corpus of devotional poetry. Gregory’s renown rests primarily on the excellence of his Book of Lamen of predominantly penitential prayers from the closing years of his life and reflecting the he spiritual and literary attainment. They are quite important works for the study of medieva lyric poetry and of the liturgical development of the time. The universal importance of Gr Lamentation for East and West is examined from the following perspectives: First, Gregory of Narek was the prominen of the Narekian School of poetic art and developed the literary traditions of that school. traditions, spiritual works had moral, epistemological, aesthetic, and generally ontologic The main ideas of Eastern Christian mysticism are at the core of the prayer book of Gregor views were formed on the basis of ancient and Neoplatonic science and philosophy. Second, remains largely unknown in western scholarship on medieval spirituality – regrettably so, to be anthologized among its best representatives. On April 12, 2015, in St. Peter’s Cathe Pope Francis declared Gregory of Narek a Doctor of the Catholic Church, the thirty-sixth p that venerable status. Such a plea for martyrdom and holiness was not accidental. The even The holiness, intercession, and legacy of Gregory of Narek became a source of spiritual ed transformation in the Catholic world. With this, the cosmic sanctity of Gregory of Narek b reality and teaching, a source of blessing and enlightenment for many. Humanity got a grea to learn from a thousand-year-old saint and be guided by his writings. The proclamation of Narek as a Doctor of the Church of Rome became an occasion for new editions, translations, and interpretations of the Book of Lamentation. Thus, the Book of Lamentation is the highe and thinking, theology and philosophy, but most importantly, it is the result of a powerfu experience. 15:20 The Mekhitarist Congregation of San Lazzaro as guardians and propagators of the lega Gregory of Narek and Ners?s of Klay Haig Utidjian Centre for the Study of the Sociology and Aesthetics of Music NOVA University of Lisbon Situated strategically between East and West, the Mekhitarist Congregation of San Lazzaro founded in Constantinople in 1701 and soon moved to Venice) sought to serve as a cross-cul spiritual bridge – reviving, preserving and propagating the best of Armenian heritage, sha eager European audience and reinvigorating ancient traditions with Western scholarship and provided a vital connection between the Roman Catholic Church and the Armenian Orthodox Ch was and remains a unique crucible – an island yet far from insular, sacred yet also humani as well as spiritual, Armenian as well as European. Moreover, due to its unique position i Lazzaro was spared ransacking or destruction, boasting an uninterrupted liturgical and mus of over three centuries. In this talk I shall seek to present an account of the enormous e Congregation undertook in the preservation, publication and propagation of the legacies of Armenian mediaeval poet-musician Saints, namely Gregory of Narek (declared in 2015 as a Do Universal Church by Pope Francis) and Ners?s “the Gracious” of Klay (who will be honoured 2023 at the Vatican with a conference and concert at the Sistine Chapel to be conducted by mark 850 years from the Saint’s passing). Both Saints had precocious Ecumenical visions; S eschewed Christological controversies, composing his prayers for the whole of Christendom men and women of all stations, and for his contemporaries as well as for future generation Ners?s was unsparing in his efforts to achieve unity between Eastern and Western Christend renewal within the Armenian Church. It is thus unsurprising that these Saints were of majo the Mekhitarist Fathers and to their own mission. I shall discuss their work in gathering manuscript sources; publishing editiones principes, translations and exegeses; keeping the the Saints vital within their liturgical practice; and preserving to this day melodies of elsewhere. 2nd DAY Catholic Theological Faculty Charles University Thákurova 3, Prague 6, 160 00 Czech Republic 8:00 Registration 8:50 Welcome to the participants 9:00 OPENING LECTURE ONLINE A deepening of Catholic identity among the clergy and faithful of the Eparchy of Mukachevo after the Union of Uzhhorod (1646-1771) Cyril Vasil Eparch of the Eparchy of Košice The Union of Uzhhorod in 1646 is a specific phenomenon in the context of union attempts, d other similar "Unions". The process of ecclesial identification of clergy and faithful her underwent several developmental phases and was influenced by various external ecclesiastic political factors. The lecture attempts to summarize the individual characteristics of thi specificity and compare it with other situations in the Church history. 10:00 COFFEE BREAK 10:20 Reception of Latin Christendom in Kyivan Rus’ (10th–12th Centuries) between Doctrina Practical Considerations (ONLINE) Simon Malmenvall University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Theology / Slovenian School Museum This paper analyzes the main traits of reception of Latin Christendom in Kyivan Rus’, draw notion of its confessional “otherness” in relation to the Eastern Orthodox norm. The menti is studied according to the East Slavic narrative sources written at the end of the eleven of the twelfth centuries, i.e., directly after the “Great Schism” (1054) between Constanti The complexity of the Rus’ attitude towards Latin Christians on several levels is accentua the official Orthodoxy, following the Byzantine doctrinal themes as adopted in Church Slav literature, while, simultaneously, 2) respecting practical considerations of dynastic ties between the East S elite and ruling families of the neighboring Latin world, 3) and venerating particular Lat In this respect, special consideration is given to the travel diary on the Holy Land title Pilgrimage of Daniel, Hegumen of the Land of Rus’ serving as a prime example of encounteri differences. Daniel’s thematization of his confessional “other” in the Holy Land reveals a ambiguity in the case of Rus’ as a whole: on a declarative level, the polemical writings o metropolitan bishops testify about a negative position on the “Latin heresies”; on the oth veneration of particular saints, such as Olaf of Norway or Magnus of Orkney, and decisions Slavic princes confirm the permanence of contacts and willingness to cooperate with the ne polities (Sweden, Poland, and Hungary) in forming dynastic marriages and military alliance 10:50 The ecclesiology of restoring unity in the conception of the Eastern Churches from C Eastern Europe in the 16th-18th centuries (FRENCH ONLINE) Buzalic Alexandru Faculty of Greek Catholic Theology, "Babe?-Bolyai" University Cluj-Napoca/Romania After the ecclesiastical schism of 1054, the specific evolution of the Eastern Churches an Church becomes more and more visible. From polemical and apologetic theological positions, cultivation of the alterity and the accentuation of resentment against the background of t events of the time. The decline of Constantinople’s influence in the context of territoria favor of the Ottomans and the centralization of the powers of the medieval states in the W projected on the Church. The East was organized on the basis of synodality and the relatio suffragan hierarchies that took shape throughout history, the fall of Constantinople (1453) freezing the interna the Greco-Byzantine rite under liturgical and disciplinary aspects. In the West, the Churc its centralism around Rome, the Latin canonical corpus evolving in a unilateral direction, the legislation of medieval states. The attempts to restore the unity of the Church reache reconciliation of the points of dogmatic divergence at the Council of Ferrara - Florence ( which would become the model for the later Unions of Brest-Litovsk (1596) and Alba- Julia split of Western Christianity during the Reformation (1517) led to the nuance of Roman cen ecclesiological vision and canonical provisions of the Latin Church evolving according to of the time. The Eastern churches that re-enter in the unity of the Catholic Church faced ecclesiological paradigm, being in a permanent struggle to preserve their own specificity the unity, realizing an avant-la-lettre ecumenical theology, a pioneering work that it alr tradition of unity in diversity and a step towards the plenary unity of the Church of Chri and most difficult problems were encountered between the 16th and 18th centuries in the te the main United Churches emerged that evolved into contemporary ecclesial structures, the hierarchs and theologians contributing to the evolution of the model of restoring the unit of Christ. 11:20 We, who mystically represent the cherubim: Different approaches to translating litur music into the vernacular Samuel Škoviera Institute of Musicology, Slovak Academy of Sciences Department of Musicology, Charles University, Prague The principle that every nation should praise God in its own language is foundational to e church. Unlike in the Roman church, Byzantine missions to neighboring nations also carried to translate the entire rite to their respective languages. This we know, among other sour zealous disputes of the Slavonic apostles Constantine and Methodius against Roman scholars only three liturgical languages, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. What these hagiographic stories is that with the translation of text, music should also be taken into account. Medieval Sl containing musical notation reveal that translations of hymns were made alongside the tran liturgical music. The interplay of word and music within translation of the liturgy into v languages is also current nowadays. Although translation studies is a developed field, the branch of musicology to deal with an analogous phenomenon in music. This is one of the rea church chooses a different approach. The aim of this paper is to present three modern appr different Byzantine churches—one Orthodox and two Catholic—to the translation of text and liturgy: The Greek Orthodox Church in USA with English translations and Greek musical trad Byzantine Catholic Church with English translations but Slavonic musical tradition, and fi Greek Catholic (Byzantine Catholic) Church with Slovak translations and Slavonic musical t though all three approaches are different, a comparison of them could offer some guideline more elaborate method for possible future translation projects, or even for reassessing ex might help to maintain two aspects of the translation process of liturgical text and music tradition of both music and text, and the mutual unity between the two. 11:50 LUNCH BREAK 13:00 Towards the mutual recognition of sacraments between the Orthodox Church and the Cat (ONLINE) Marek Blaza Akademia Katolicka w Warszawie - Catholic Academy in Warsaw The Catholic Church recognises the validity of all sacraments administered in the non-Cath Churches because they have apostolic succession.Furthermore, in Catholic theology, a sacra exist when it is properly administered, according to the teaching of St Augustine: "The Wo the element and becomes a sacrament". On the question of the recognition of sacraments in Churches, the Eastern Catholic Churches take generally the same position as the Roman Cath The above criteria are also used by the Orthodox Churches of the Slavic and Romanian tradi as a rule, recognise the validity of the baptism of Roman Catholics, as well as Anglicans provided they have been properly administered. Some Orthodox therefore question the validi administration of baptism by pouring, considering only baptism by threefold immersion to b administered, as this sacrament signifies the burial of the Christian with Christ (cf. Rom Besides, the Greek word baptisma itself literally means immersion. Hence, baptism by immer be administered in exceptional situations, in accordance with the Orthodox principle of le (oikonomia). Therefore, the Orthodox who apply the principle of "oikonomia" or legal forbe agreed to recognise the validity of the baptism of other Christians in local multilateral dialogues. Those Orthodox Churches that recognise the validity of baptism with Catholics o require the re-baptism of other sacraments either. However, not all Orthodox Churches reco administered in the Catholic Church as well as in other non-Orthodox Christians. These Chu their criterion on the teaching of St Augustine, according to which the correctness of the the rite is important. There, the criterion is the rigorously understood maxim of St Cypri "Outside the Church there is no salvation". According to this conception, there can be no outside the visible boundaries of the Orthodox Church. In order to present these two diffe of the theology of the sacraments (St Cyprian’s and St Augustine’s), the definition of a s question of the number of sacraments will first be presented. However, it will be most cru the sacrament of baptism, since undermining its validity consequently leads to the non-rec sacraments in a given Church. 13:30 Sacraments of Christian Initiation and Christian Identity Formation from the Perspec Malabar Tradition Bilju Vazhappilly Professor of Sacramental Theology, Registrar cum Controller of Examinations, Marymatha Major Seminary, Trichur, Kerala, India In fact, the act of Christian initiation is itself to be considered as a journey in faith. clear, this paper firstly pays attention to various processions, liturgy of the Word, move persons, gestures, symbols, rituals, signs, art, space and time, etc, and enquires how the role in revealing the journey in faith as a continuous, evolving process. In addition, the highlights how this journey in faith is developed through ritual participation of the fait dispensation (dabbr?n?ta) of Jesus Christ’s Paschal Mystery and thus how it leads to the p glory. This human response to the faith as a gift-given through the actions of the Church enables one to form one’s own Christian identity today from the perspective of the Syro-Ma achieve the aforementioned goal a liturgico-theological approach is employed. On the one h situational analysis which looks at the concrete particularity of the given rites of the S Christian initiation of both Infant and Adult in the Syro-Malabar Church (New Taksa was pu On the other hand, a structural analysis follows considering all known and possible perfor Christian initiation liturgy as it is celebrated in the Syro-Malabar Church today. Both si structural analyses advance towards a proper understanding of the faith expressed in the c the Sacraments of Christian initiation, not as an abstract and universal datum but as a li culturally expressed and culture laden. 14:00 Marriages of divorced Eastern Faithful in the Catholic Church in light of Francis’ p Jiří Dvořáček Sts Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theology Palacký University Olomouc This paper summarizes the view of Oriental divorces from the perspective of Catholic juris out whether and how much has changed during the last pontificate. The paper will be organi 1. The orthodox view of marriage. 2. The jurisdiction of the Orthodox bishops from the per Catholic Church before and after the Second Vatican Council. 3. The jurisdiction of the Ca over Orthodox marriage. 4. The canonical significance of Orthodox divorces according to th of the Apostolic Signature and according to the Dicastery for legislative texts. 5. Canoni did this open the possibility for Pope Francis to recognize Orthodox divorce? 14:30 Il santo vescovo Giosafat Kuntsewycz: la priorit? dell’unit? con Cristo nel rafforza cristiana ed ecclesiologica nell’eparchia di Polotsk della Chiesa Rutena unita (ITALIAN) Yakiv Shumylo General Secretary of the Basilian Order of Saint Josaphat Il contenuto del discorso racconta l’attivit? pastorale di san Giosafat nello suo status d di Polotsk, che rappresenta la predicazione della parola di Dio e l’insegnamento della fed tra il clero e i laici. Attraverso il questo compito viene descritta le sue opinioni eccle le relazioni con i rappresentanti delle Chiese Ortodossa e Cattolica Romana. Si tratta anc di San Giosafat della Chiesa dell’Unione, che mostra la memoria storica dell’unit? della C content of the speech reveals the peculiarity of the pastoral activity of St. Josaphat as of Polotsk, which was aimed at proclaiming God’s word and teaching the truths of the Chris the clergy and laity. Through the prism of this task, the peculiarity of Saint Josaphat’s of the Uniate Church is described, the choice which is connected with the historical memor the Church, his ecclesiological views and relations with representatives of the Orthodox a Churches. 15:00 COFFEE BREAK 15:20 Towards a theology of Europe (ONLINE) Rabiej Stanisław University of Warsaw, University of Opole Transferring the theological methodology to the field of the theology of Europe, which is us in this study, we assume that in view of its formal object, as well as its material obj theological method and an auxiliary philosophical method are also admissible. Using the sy developed by theology and philosophy, an attempt was made to interpret the history of Euro way as to reveal in it the meaning and purpose of the created order of existence. It was a basic assumption that in the light of Revelation one can find the right point of reference reality. In such a perspective, the history of Europe appears not only as a fragment of a of the dynamic history of the world, but is an important point of reference in the path of the broadest sense. The first step (Areas of dialogue) substantiates the thesis that Europ where dialogue takes place between representatives of different social, political, cultura religious options. In this process, it is important to preserve the essential autonomy of cultural areas and the independence of specific states and nations. The expected unity sho of the conviction of common roots, a rich spiritual heritage, complementary material achie equal perspectives, which can be outlined in case of realization of noble goals. These are through an enriching dialogue. They need time and persistent people who will undertake the tasks. In the creation of a theology of Europe as a space of values, a common line of thou to be important within the framework of the possibility of a new understanding of the loca relationship. Over particularistic social structures are relativized in favour of a dynami communities in networks of universal communication. Unification processes provide many goo networks in relation to non-European states and nations. The analysis of current calls poi to issues of a geopolitical nature (Europe-China relations, the migrant crisis, the war in also to confrontations with new ethical and moral models. In this domain, a new look at th of marriage and family is important. Finally, attempts were made to answer important quest is modern Europe heading? How to interpret the progressive secularization of the Old Conti prosperous Europe perceived as a "crystal palace" ready to accept millions of refugees? Is a threat or a challenge? How to deal effectively with Putin’s Russian aggression in Ukrain questions provide another message for further research in the search for current solutions theology of earthly reality, where Europe is an important theological site. 15:50 Arab contextual theology: a roadmap Antoine Fleyfel Institut chrétiens’ Orient (Paris) The Oriental theology is of great interest for the fundamental role it played in the const Christian dogma and the formation of the historic Churches. However, its contribution is n great chapters of history, but remains relevant today. Since the 1970s, and concomitant wi of various contextual theologies in the Third World, including liberation theologies, incu black theology, theologians in the Near East have laid the foundations for an Arab context This theology builds its discourse by responding to the challenges facing Christians in th The aim of this talk is to discuss the three main chapters of this local theology, reflect Christian presence in the Near East and the role of different communities. - Inter-religio and more specifically Islamic-Christian dialogue. Through their re-reading of the place of soteriology, theologians rehabilitate it through the history of salvation (Michel Hayek), (Youakim Moubarac) or the theology of the Logos spermaticos (Georges Khodr). - Church rene important chapter of which is ecumenism. Jean Corbon's project of the Church of the Ar reflections are of great importance here. - Political theology. It manifests itself in var by advocating citizenship, by taking a stand on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and by c theological discourses of liberation (Grégoire Haddad in Lebanon and Palestinian liberatio various Christian communities in the Middle East are currently facing numerous crises that identity and vision. The theological principles outlined here certainly provide a serious 16:20 Interreligious dialogue in Albania (ONLINE) Georgios Gaitanos Department of Theology & Culture, University College Logos In Albania there are 5 religious communities with the most followers (Sunni Islam, Orthodo Roman Catholics, Evangelicals and Bektasi). After the fall of the Communist Regime in 1990 performance of religious duties was prohibited and there was religious persecution of beli communities, the right of religious freedom was restored; churches and mosques opened agai believers and performed the first liturgies and prayers in destroyed temples. Since the es the Albanian state in 1912, but also after the restoration of democracy and the right to r Albania has been considered a model of cooperation, dialogue and harmony between religious with tangible examples of solidarity and cooperation. The role of religious belief in the the democratic system is quite positive, especially when this relationship is nurtured by sincere cooperation. Since freedom of religion is reflected in private and public life, th guarantees this freedom by law, cannot be indifferent to its abuse. The highlight of this was the establishment of the Interreligious Council of Albania (IRCA) in 2007 with 4 found communities, which then in 2018 became five. The most interesting element of this record i a country with a diverse religious imprint was able to maintain certain common religious v atheistic framework under Communism and maintain a model of tolerance and harmony, which i for the Balkans and for the modern Western world. This paper will try to demonstrate the h of this cooperation from the establishment of the Albanian state until today and to captur interfaith dialogue between the various Christian denominations and Muslims and how this e the framework of cooperation within the IRCA. Subsequently, the historical development of religious freedom from the establishment of the Albanian state until today will be present model of this religious cooperation and dialogue and the activities of IRCA from its estab today. + + + CONTACT US [ URL "mailto:conference.cuni.23@protonmail.com"] + + + The organizing team for Catholic Theological Faculty: doc. Jaroslav Brož, Th.D. S.S.L. Department of Biblical Sciences and Ancient Languages ThDr. Ondrej Rác Department of Systematic Theology and Philosophy ThLic. Mgr. Jiří Dosoudil JUDr. Alexandra Bejvančická The organizing team for Hussite Theological Faculty: doc. ThDr. Jiří Vogel, Th.D. Department of Systematical Theology, Theological Ethics and Theological Philosophy PhDr. ThDr. Mgr. Miloš David Institute of Eastern Christianity Bc. Dimitrije Vasković Institute of Eastern Christianity