For the Life of the World and the Social Ethos of the Holy and Great Council (Chantilly, October 7, 2026)

 

Rev. Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Nicolas Kazarian, Ph.D.

Conference Paper

For the Life of the World and the Social Ethos of the Holy and Great Council.

International Conference on “The Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church (2016-2026): Assessment and Prospects”

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Les Fontaines Conference Centre

Chantilly, France

ORTHODOX REFORMATION

by Rev. Dr. Nicolas Kazarian,

As the Orthodox Church prepares to convene its Holy and Great Council, the Protestant world is getting ready to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, which will be celebrated next year. While at first glance these two events seem to have nothing in common, they are linked by a common desire to bear witness to the authenticity of the Christian faith by translating the experience of the early years of Christianity into today’s world. This issue is central for the Pan-Orthodox Council, and in addition to raising the question of Orthodoxy’s relationship to Protestantism, it asks the Orthodox Church to define its path towards reform and renewal while safeguarding the unity of the Church in time and space.