Rev. Prof. Hector Scerri, Rev. Dr Kevin Schembri and Ph.D. candidate Ms Dorianne Buttigieg from the Faculty of Theology attended the Inaugural Conference of the International Orthodox Theological Association (IOTA) in Iasi, Romania between 9-12 January 2019. The overarching theme of the conference was Pan-Orthodox Unity and Conciliarity.
The event itself was a vivid experience of 'conciliarity from below.' With around 300 hundred scholars from over 40 countries and all six continents, and a broad variety of topics discussed in over 70 separate sessions, the Inaugural Conference of IOTA was the largest and the most representative gathering of Orthodox scholars, professionals and church leaders in modern history. The gathering was enriched by the participation of members from other traditions and the Keynote Address was given by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware, professor emeritus in Eastern Orthodox studies at Oxford University.
The mission of the International Orthodox Theological Associations is to promote the international exchange of knowledge within the context of the Orthodox tradition. It plans to host worldwide conferences every four years in different locations worldwide.