At Ethos Global Consulting, we call this dimension Spiritual Intelligence (SI), which is the capacity to find meaning, to build trust, to live and lead with purpose beyond success or profit. To see it lived out in my teacher’s life, and to be able to honor him in this way, is a powerful reminder that SI is not theory: it is practice, example, and legacy.
Your Eminence, distinguished colleagues, dear friends,
Before I begin, I kindly ask you to join me in a brief moment of silence and prayer in loving memory of Professor Chrysostomos Stamoulis, who is now in the hands of our God. Εις μνήμην Χρυσοστόμου Σταμούλη.
On behalf of the Center of Ecumenical, Missiological, and Environmental Studies (CEMES), it is my joy to welcome you to Thessaloniki for the 16th International Conference of the Ecclesiological Investigations Research Network.
I wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki and His Eminence Metropolitan Filotheos, Honorary President of CEMES, for his blessing and support; to the Center of Saint Gregory Palamas for their collaboration; to the American College of Thessaloniki and its President, Dr. Panos Vlachos, for their partnership; to Father Alexandros Karloutsos for his efforts towards the universal love, and to the organizing committee, especially to Dr Elizabeth Profromou that she wanted to be here with us, but she is following it from the live streaming and all who worked tirelessly to make this event possible.
CEMES was founded to foster reflection at the crossroads of ecumenical dialogue, missiological responsibility, and environmental concern. For us, theology is never abstract.It is lived in communities, challenged by dissent, shaped by power, and called to bear witness to the Gospel in a changing world. This is why we are proud to co-host a conference that addresses precisely these themes: “Dissent, Power, and Christian Identity.”
We remain inspired by the vision of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who blessed our Center from the very first day and reminded us that the future of the Church depends on unity, solidarity, and dialogue. His words continue to guide our mission and our hope for gatherings such as this.
Thessaloniki, our host city, is itself a symbol of dialogue and encounter—from the Apostle Paul to the Byzantine theologians, from interreligious exchange to modern ecumenical movements. It stands as a living reminder that Christian identity is always forged in conversation with others.
This gathering, therefore, is not simply an academic exercise, but an opportunity:
– to listen to diverse voices,
– to explore how ecclesiology can speak to today’s crises of division and injustice,
– and to nurture bonds of friendship and collaboration that will last beyond these days, especially as this year we celebrate the 1700 anniversary after Nicaea.
At this moment, it is also my great joy and deep emotion to honor a man whose life embodies this spirit of dialogue and vision: Professor Petros Vassiliadis.
As one of his students, I carry not only the memory of his lectures on the New Testament, missiology, and interfaith dialogue, but above all the spirit he imparted. A spirit of openness, ecumenical vision, courage to dissent, and unwavering commitment to unity and understanding.
Professor Vassiliadis has been much more than an academic. Through his leadership in the ecumenical world, his pioneering work on mission, dialogue, and ecology, and his dedication to generations of students, he has shaped the way theology is lived and practiced in our time. His prophetic voice continues to inspire scholars and believers across the world.
For me, and for many of us here, his greatest legacy is the example of a teacher who never stopped learning, never stopped challenging us to see beyond ourselves, and never stopped believing in the transformative power of faith.
Professor, it is a great honor to hand you this Certificate of Honor, in grateful recognition of your distinguished service, your inspirational leadership, and your seminal contributions to theology.
May this moment be a small token of the immense gratitude and respect we all feel for you, as teacher, mentor, colleague, and friend.
🎥 You can watch this part of the tribute here (from 27:10):
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdZVTvQm_Xk&t=2705s
