Huffington Ecumenical Institute

08/25/2026

From environmental stewardship to human rights, one session at HEI's September 14-15 colloquium will explore His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s work on social issues and social ethos.

The session will feature presentations from Dr. Chris Durante on His All-Holiness's environmental stewardship, Dr. Vasileia Digidiki Lucero on his condemnation of human trafficking and modern-day slavery, Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou on His All-Holiness’s advocacy for human rights and freedom of worship, and Dr. James Skedros on his commission for a document to guide Orthodox Christian engagement with contemporary social and ethical issues.

🔗 Register at [email protected]. Registration closes September 7. The event will take place at the Maliotis Cultural Center of HCHC, and will also be livestreamed.

Photo by Nikolaos Manginas

08/18/2026

The Huffington Ecumenical Institute at HCHC (HEI) is pleased to announce the launch of a series of publications, entitled “Encounters” in collaboration with Akritas Books in Athens and Holy Cross Press in Boston.

The first two works in the series will be released in September, with publications in both English (through Holy Cross Press) and Greek (through Akritas Books).

An interview with renowned primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall constitutes the first book; Goodall offered the interview in September 2023, when she spoke at the HEI’s opening event.

The second book in the series focuses on the 35th anniversary of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s enthronement, including an exclusive interview with His All-Holiness as well as several reflections on his Patriarchal tenure. This work will be available at HEI’s special colloquium in honor of the anniversary, which will be held on September 14-15, 2026.

The Greek edition will be officially presented in Athens and Thessaloniki in early November. Three additional books are currently forthcoming in the series.

08/18/2026

Across his 35 years of Patriarchal ministry, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has shaped how the Orthodox Church engages both its Christian neighbors and the broader religious world.

At HEI's September 14-15 colloquium honoring the anniversary of His All-Holiness's enthronement, attendees will learn about these contributions. A dedicated session will feature presentations from Fr. Nicolas Kazarian on the Ecumenical Patriarch’s contributions to inter-Christian dialogue, and Fr. Michael Azar on His All-Holiness’s work in inter-religious relations.

🔗 Register at [email protected]. Registration closes September 7.

08/15/2026

On this Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, we commemorate the falling asleep of the Mother of God and her bodily assumption into heaven, representing our own hope in the Resurrection.

Having borne the Author of Life, she now passes from death to life eternal, ever interceding for us before her Son. As we venerate this great feast, we entrust ourselves to her maternal care and unceasing prayers.

Photo credit: Icon of the Dormition, Dečani Monastery, 14th century

08/13/2026

What does faithful ecumenical engagement look like for the Orthodox Church?

This fall, the Huffington Ecumenical Institute is offering The Ecumenical Movement: Challenges and Opportunities, a course examining the theological and practical questions ecumenical relations have raised for the Church—from ecclesiology and the Eucharist to ordination, worship, and social justice.

The course draws on documents from the National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches, and explores where Christian traditions converge, where they diverge, and how denominations can work together across those lines.

📩 Find full course details and request information here: https://enrollment.hchc.edu/online-courses

Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology is pleased to offer these online courses for the upcoming semester.

08/11/2026

At HEI's colloquium honoring the 35th anniversary of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's enthronement, taking place September 14–15, a dedicated session will explore His All-Holiness's contributions to inter-Orthodox relations.

The session will feature presentations from His Eminence Archbishop Maxim of the Western American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church on the Holy and Great Council convened in Crete in 2016, and Fr. Nicholas Anton on the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America.

🔗 Register at [email protected]. Registration closes September 7.

08/06/2026

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, commemorating the transfiguration of Christ on Mount Tabor when our Lord appeared in His divine glory before the Apostles Peter, James, and John.

In this radiant mystery, we behold the promise of Christ’s Second Coming and the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God, when all creation will likewise be transfigured. As we mark this feast, may the uncreated light of Tabor illumine our hearts and minds.

Photo credit: Icon of the Transfiguration, Sinai, 12th century

08/05/2026

We are pleased to share our latest newsletter honoring His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and his 35 years of unprecedented patriarchal ministry

The issue highlights the upcoming September 14–15, 2026 colloquium among other notable articles. Held under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, this gathering will bring together scholars, clergy, and lay leaders to reflect on the significance and global impact of His All-Holiness’s ministry.

Read HEI's current edition, subscribe to our newsletter: https://bit.ly/4yUg22Z

08/04/2026

This September, the Huffington Ecumenical Institute is hosting a colloquium honoring the 35th anniversary of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's enthronement.

Bringing together distinguished scholars, clergy, and laity, the colloquium will reflect on His All-Holiness's 35 years of Patriarchal ministry: his leadership in inter-Orthodox and ecumenical relations, his decades of environmental advocacy, his voice on human rights and social justice, and his enduring pastoral presence across the global Church.

The event will take place September 14–15, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.

🔗 Registration is required by September 7 at [email protected].

The colloquium will be recorded and livestreamed.

08/03/2026

Fall registration is open, and our courses are worth your time.

The Huffington Ecumenical Institute at Hellenic College Holy Cross is offering:

📖 Eastern & Oriental Orthodox Church Relations, tracing the evolving relationship between the two Orthodox families after the schism of 451.

📖 The Ecumenical Movement: Challenges and Opportunities, exploring where the major Christian traditions converge and diverge, and why it matters.

Find full course descriptions and request information at https://enrollment.hchc.edu/online-courses

Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology is pleased to offer these online courses for the upcoming semester.