Photo by Nikolaos Manginas
This September, the Huffington Ecumenical Institute (HEI) at Hellenic College Holy Cross (HCHC) will host a colloquium in recognition of the 35th anniversary of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s enthronement.
The event will take place September 14-15, 2026, held under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and hosted at HCHC’s Maliotis Cultural Center in Brookline, Massachusetts.
Assembling distinguished scholars, clergy, and laity, the colloquium will reflect on His All-Holiness’s 35 years of unprecedented Patriarchal ministry, which has shaped contemporary Orthodox Christianity and influenced inter-Orthodox dialogue, interfaith engagement, and environmental stewardship.
The event will open on the afternoon of September 14 with remarks offered by Archbishop Elpidophoros, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the United States, as well as HEI Executive Director Fr. John Chryssavgis, Archdeacon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and theological advisor to the Ecumenical Patriarch on environmental issues.
A session focused on His All-Holiness’s ecclesial work will follow, with speakers offering perspectives on both inter-Orthodox and ecumenical relations:
- His Eminence Archbishop Maxim of the Western Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church will focus on the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church, convened by His All-Holiness in Crete, Greece in 2016.
- Fr. Nicholas Anton will discuss the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America.
- Fr. Nicolas Kazarian will examine His All-Holiness’s contributions to inter-Christian dialogue.
- Fr. Michael Azar will focus on His All-Holiness’s work on inter-religious relations.
Following Vespers in the HCHC chapel and a reception, the colloquium will continue with a film screening. The evening will conclude with a session focused on His All-Holiness’s work on social issues and social ethos:
- Dr. Chris Durante will present on His All-Holiness’s efforts toward environmental stewardship, which have earned him the nickname of “Green Patriarch.”
- Dr. Vasileia Digidiki Lucero will focus on His All-Holiness’s condemnation of human trafficking and modern-day slavery.
- Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou will speak about His All-Holiness’s advocacy for human rights and freedom of worship.
- Dr. James Skedros will focus on For the Life of the World: Toward a Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church, a comprehensive document commissioned by His All-Holiness to outline how Orthodox Christians should engage with contemporary social and ethical issues.
On September 15, the event will conclude with a session on His All-Holiness’s pastoral impact, with speakers sharing perspectives across various spheres:
- Afroditi Falieros will speak to His All-Holiness’s upbringing and lifelong connection to his birthplace of Imvros.
- Fr. Bartholomew Mercado will focus on His All-Holiness’s efforts toward parochial and liturgical renewal.
- Dr. Tom Papademetriou will discuss His All-Holiness’s engagement with pilgrimages and global sacred sites.
- James Speros will offer a presentation on the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
With reflections spanning the tremendous breadth and depth of His All-Holiness’s work, this colloquium will offer a unique opportunity to engage with the ministry of a Patriarch whose leadership continues to shape our Church and our world.
This colloquium is a registration-only event; please reserve your spot by filling out the form below, by Monday, September 7. Please let us know if you are planning to attend online, in person or a combination of both. The event will be recorded and livestreamed.
Corinna Robinson, MTS is the Content & Communications Associate at the Huffington Ecumenical Institute at Hellenic College Holy Cross, where she supports social media, content development, and event communications in service of the Institute’s mission of ecumenical dialogue, education, and engagement.
