IPSEC & Romanian Parliament
Established Partnership

The Institute for Peace Studies in Eastern Christianity, Inc., and the Legislative Committee on Discipline and Immunities of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of Romania concluded a Memorandum of Agreement to establish scientific collaboration in all fields of activity proposed by the two institutions. The Parties will develop various forms for cooperation such as collaboration in academic journals, thematic editions, exchange of researchers, internships, and so on. The Parties may also jointly recognize outstanding personalities, and propose that such personalities be awarded honorary academic degrees (Doctor Honoris Causa, Honorary Professor, Honorary Colleague, etc), by the competent institutions. The joint activity will be developed in accordance with the international obligations and the domestic laws of each Party. “This agreement falls within the institutional scope of IPSEC, which is centered on consulting, education, and research. We hope that by working with the Romanian lawmakers, IPSEC will have a better impact in promoting peace, freedom, and coexistence, not only in areas of confessional interest, but everywhere. We live in an increasingly volatile world, and such partnerships help fulfill our mission,” said Dr. Marian Simion, the founder of IPSEC. The Agreement entered into force on November 23, 2016, and it is not subject to any time limitations.~

The Institute for Peace Studies in Eastern Christianity (IPSEC) together with the Scientific Press (Cambridge, MA) are pleased to announce the publication of the volume titled, “The Phenomenon of Migration: Proceedings of Harvard Square Symposium” | Volume 2 | Year 2016, edited by Rev. Prof. Dr. Ioan-Gheorghe Rotaru, Denise E. Simion and Viorica Burcea. This volume contains scientific papers in arts and sciences presented at the second edition of the Harvard Square Symposium; a symposium organized by the Scientific Press together with IPSEC on August 23, 2016, in Cambridge, MA. The volume was released on September 29, 2016 at the Romanian Parliament in the context of the international conference, “Freedom of Religion and Conscience in the Context of National Security.” (more...)

“Migration is the world on the move. It is a search for a new meaning; a hope for survival or for better life. With each generation claiming the tangible and the intangible, humanity carries on its own sense of immortality. The migrant leaves everything behind either motivated by domestic menace, or seduced by the promises of the new world.” (The Editors)

Summer School in Romania…
Orthodox Christianity and Contemporary Global Challenges
Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, July 3-13, 2017.

The Faculty of Orthodox Theology of the “Babeş-Bolyai” University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania in partnership with the Institute for Peace Studies in Eastern Christianity (IPSEC), is pleased to announce an international summer school on the topic “Orthodox Christianity and Contemporary Global Challenges.” The summer school will be organized in Romania with the purpose of investigating how Orthodox Christianity has managed its encounter with collective violence and fundamentalism in a geopolitical sphere that is situated at the intersection of former empires, of various political ideologies and religions. It has long been recognized that Romania is a unique place of religious, political and diplomatic collision, where the Ottoman Muslims, the Russian Orthodox, and the Austro-Hungarian Catholic and Protestant leaders have learned how to negotiate their differences and interests, territorial influence and control, as well as faith limitations. (more…)

PATRON ($5,000)
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The first part reviews ancient Christian writings, rituals, religious laws, and contemporary writings, for the purpose of identifying the core teachings of the Orthodox Church on violence and peace. The second part explores themes such as ‘evil’ and ‘dualism’ for the purpose of comprehending heretical attitudes that emerged during times of war. Political subjects such as Just War and Nationalism are explored for the purpose of identifying instances when members of the Orthodox Church sanctioned defensive violence and bolstered xenophobia. The third part recommends peacemaking methods applicable to Orthodox Christian settings in light of the tripartite dimension of violence against God, self, and another human being.

“We should not become angry with those who sin, even if what they do is criminal and deserves punishment. On the contrary, for the sake of justice, we ought to correct and, if need be, punish them ourselves or get others to do so. But we should not become angry or excited; for anger acts only in accordance with passion, and not in accordance with good judgment and justice. Moreover, we should not approve those who show more mercy than is proper. The wicked must be punished for the sake of what is good and just, but not as a result of the personal passion of anger.” (Attributed to St. Anthony the Great, On the Character of Men, 69.)

Harvard Divinity School’s Religion and the Practice of Peace program announces its Spring 2017 cross-disciplinary course for Harvard graduate students, HDS 2766: Transformative Leadership and Spiritual Development (click here for details and to apply.

Christians and churches in Egypt: Aggression from all sides (Mada)

7 Humanitarian Hot Spots to Watch in 2017 (The Huffington Post)

‘Western laws now clash with moral nature of man’ – Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill (RT EXCLUSIVE) (RT)

For more news about conflicts affecting Orthodox Christians around the world, click here!