What Is IOTA?
Founded in 2017, the International Orthodox Theological Association is a community of scholars and professionals dedicated to the worldwide exchange of knowledge within the context of the Orthodox Tradition. IOTA organizes international conferences and facilitates group research projects; the association contributes to the growth and renewal of the Orthodox Church by supporting pan-Orthodox unity and conciliarity. As a pan-Orthodox nonprofit organization, IOTA does not belong to any one local Church and strives to maintain constructive relations with the leaders of all Orthodox Churches.
How IOTA Works
IOTA consists of over twenty-five groups, each representing a distinct knowledge domain pertinent to Orthodox Christian Studies. The groups are led by internationally respected Orthodox scholars.
We are delighted to announce that the second mega-conference of the International Orthodox Theological Association will take place in Volos, Greece on January 10-15, 2023. The overarching theme of the conference is all aspects of the mission of the Orthodox Church.
Volos Academy for Theological Studies will serve as our conference host. We are grateful to the Academy’s Director, Dr. Pantelis Kalaitzidis for his initiative and to his staff for organizational support. The conference has the blessing of His Eminence Ignatios, Metropolitan of Demetrias (Church of Greece).
The format of the conference will be in-person only. The working language of the conference is English. The Call for Papers will become available in February 2022. We are expecting 150-200 speakers. Registration will be open in summer 2022. IOTA will respect the international protocols related to the pandemic and advise its members accordingly.
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information.
IOTA Talks Launched
IOTA has launched its new video series, IOTA Talks™. The purpose of IOTA Talks is to produce short, engaging videos where Orthodox scholars share an idea about which they feel passionate with lay Christians in a manner they can understand. Some talks are primarily intended for inquirers wishing to learn more about the Christian faith. Other talks are more suitable for those engaged in Christian education, from Sunday School teachers to clergy. IOTA Talks will engage the fundamental questions of Christian faith and contemporary issues. Three talks are now available on IOTA’s YouTube Channel:
- Dr. Paul Gavrilyuk, What is Deification?
- Dr. Carrie Frederick Frost, Does the Orthodox Church Have a Woman Problem?
- Dr. Gayle Woloschak, Science and Faith
These talks were recorded at and sponsored by the Eagle River Institute (Eagle River, Alaska). IOTA wishes to thank the director of the Eagle River Institute, Fr. Marc Dunaway, for his excellent organization and support of this project. If you would like to provide feedback, sponsor a new IOTA Talk, or have recommendations for topics and speakers, send an email to Dr. Paul Gavrilyuk at [email protected]. Thank you for your interest!
Outcome of the August 2021 Leaders’ Symposium
In August, IOTA held a meeting which included group Chairs, Advisory Council members, and select Stakeholders and Co-Laborers.
IOTA has grown by adding three new groups: Orthodoxy and Literature, Orthodoxy and the Visual Arts, and Oriental Orthodoxy. IOTA’s new services include the Forum which publishes book, conference, and film reviews; IOTA Lectures on Deification; and IOTA Publications.
In addition to these activities, the discussion focused on the plans for the association’s second mega-conference. The general theme of the mega-conference will be Orthodox Christian mission. While several sessions will engage this general theme, other sessions will maintain their own distinctive focus. In addition, the participants proposed to include plenary sessions on the following topics: 1) the pandemic; 2) the social doctrine of the Orthodox Church; 3) pan-Orthodox unity. Since the pandemic situation remains dynamic, the dates and location of the second mega-conference will be announced in 2022. Stay tuned!
New Volume from IOTA Publications: Natural Theology in the Eastern Orthodox Tradition
- edited by leading Orthodox philosophers David Bradshaw and Richard Swinburne
- the first book to tell the history of natural theology in the Christian East
- considers the strength of the arguments for the existence of God
- assesses contemporary Christian Orthodox reactions to natural theology
- brings together essays by world-class philosophers and scholars
Pilgrims Toward the Kingdom: The Beginnings of the International Orthodox Theological Association
- Discusses the main issues that the Orthodox Church faces today
- Includes an essay by Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware) addressing the problem of divisions
- Commemorates IOTA’s 2019 Conference and contains its Historical Program
- Features beautiful illustrations with 166 full-color photographs and images
- If you joined us in Iași, you are likely to find yourself in this volume!
IOTA’s Co-laborer organization, the Orthodox Theological Society of America (OTSA), has developed a COVID vaccine statement to educate Orthodox and others about the vaccines, how they work, and how they should be taken.
Please view this document on the OTSA website: https://www.otsamerica.net/coronavirus/
News: Recent Book Reviews in the IOTA Forum
Inaugural Conference in #
Inaugural Conference in #
Why Become an IOTA member?
With IOTA membership, you become a part of a vibrant international community of over 1,000 scholars, church leaders, and professionals steeped in the Orthodox tradition. Your membership provides for IOTA’s core services: conference organization, IOTA Publications, IOTA Forum, and the production of educational video and audio resources. Different membership categories are available.
