The mission of the Orthodox Christian Studies Program at Fordham University is to provide a venue for the academic study of Eastern Orthodox Christianity that is enriching not only for students and faculty but for the Orthodox and non-Orthodox communities in New York and around the country.
The Program has five distinct initiatives that reflect that Mission:
In 2007, the Orthodox Christian Studies Program at Fordham was co-founded by Drs. Aristotle Papanikolaou and George Demacopoulos. For more about the history of the Program, click here.
Our program works closely with the Department of Theology and the Center for Medieval Studies in order to offer an interdiscplinary approach to the study of Orthodox Christianity. Please visit their respective websites for more information.
If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please click here.
“Orthodox Constructions of the West"
Patterson Triennial Conference for the Orthodox-Roman Catholic Dialogue
This year’s Triennial Patterson Conference, “Orthodox Constructions of the West,” was held from June 28 to June 30, 2010. Read about the conference here.
Conference on Contextual Theology at the Academy for Theological Studies in Volos, Greece June 3-6, 2010
From June 3 - June 6, 2010, the Orthodox Christian Studies Program co-sponsored the conference "Neo-Patristic Synthesis or 'Post-Patristic' Theology: Can Orthodox Theology Be Contextual?" in Volos, Greece. A list of speakers for the conference is available here. The presentation of papers can be viewed here. For additional information, please visit the Academy's website.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Receives Honorary Degree from Fordham University
October 27, 2009
The Spiritual leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians visits with students and bestows his blessing upon Fordham's Orthodox Christian Studies Program. Read the Story here. View the degree Ceremony here. View the Patriarch's address here. View pictures of the ceremony here. View pictures of the student gathering here. Read the Fordham Magazine article here.
Help us Meet the Patterson Challenge for a Triennial Conference Endowment
In February of 2008, Solon and Marianna Patterson of Atlanta, GA, generously provided $100,000 for the establishment of a triennial conference endowment in Orthodox/Roman Catholic Relations. They also issued a $200,000 matching challenge grant in order to endow the conference series permanently. If you would like to learn more about the conference series or how you can contribute, please contact one of the Co-Founding Directors: George Demacopoulos (demacopoulos@fordham.edu) or Aristotle Papanikolaou (papanikolaou@fordham.edu).
Announcing The Archbishop Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology and Culture
The Chair is funded by the Jaharis Family Foundation
Fordham announced at the event that it has received a $2 million gift to establish the Archbishop Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology and Culture. The gift comes from the Jaharis Family Foundation, which provides grants to arts, cultural and religious institutions. (Read the rest of the article from Inside Fordham here.)
"This seeking for the common fundamental Christian faith in our times, when we faithful have been divided into many Christian confessions, can be performed only through dialogue in love and truth."
— Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
"Today we know that unity can be achieved through the love of God only if the Churches want it together, in full respect for the traditions of each for necessary autonomy."
In 2007, the Orthodox Christian Studies Program at Fordham was co-founded by Drs. Aristotle Papanikolaou and George Demacopoulos. For more about the history of the Program, click 