A major international forum on the heritage of the Apostle Paul is taking place in Greece
The 32nd scholarly symposium «Pauleia» has opened in Veria, with the participation of representatives of Local Churches and theologians from various countries.
The solemn opening of the XXXII International Scholarly Conference «The Apostle Paul and Baptism» has taken place in Greek Veria, held within the framework of the annual «Pauline Readings» («Pauleia»). This was reported by Orthodoxia News Agency.
The solemn opening of the forum took place on June 26, 2026, at the Arts Center of the Municipality of Veria. The event was attended by representatives of the ancient Patriarchates and Autocephalous Orthodox Churches, as well as scholars and faculty of theological schools. Before the sessions began, a choir of Byzantine chanters performed church hymns in honor of the Apostle Paul, who is venerated as the founder of the local Church.
Messages from the Primates of the Orthodox Churches were read aloud, including those of the Patriarchs of Constantinople and Jerusalem. In their addresses, they emphasized the significance of apostolic teaching and the role of Baptism as the foundation of Christian life. Regional officials and representatives of the academic community also addressed the participants, noting the importance of theological dialogue.
Opening the conference, Metropolitan Panteleimon of Veria noted that the theme of the current forum is devoted to the theological understanding of Baptism in the teaching of the holy Apostle Paul. In his address, the hierarch recalled the conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus and his Baptism, noting that it was through this event that the future Apostle to the Gentiles experienced spiritual rebirth. According to the Metropolitan, for the Apostle Paul, Baptism is inseparably linked to the death and Resurrection of Christ, to a person's entry into the Church, and to new life in Christ.
«One Lord, one faith, one Baptism», — the hierarch quoted the words of the Apostle Paul, emphasizing that through the Sacrament a person is united with Christ and becomes a child of God.
On the first day of the conference, papers were presented on the understanding of Baptism in early Christianity and in the theology of the Apostle Paul, as well as on the theme of Baptism by water and the Holy Spirit.
Participating in the forum are representatives of the Patriarchates of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Georgia, as well as the Orthodox Churches of Cyprus, Greece, Poland, and Albania.
As the SPJ reported, a conference on the threat of ecumenism to the Church was previously held in Athens.
