Speech by Elder Ephraim Vatopaidinos at the Athens School of Theology on October 12translated

The Department of Theology of the School of Theology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens is launching a new Series of Lectures entitled "The Reason for Living". The opening speech will take place on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 12:00, in the Audio-Visual Hall of the Theological School, on the Zografou Campus. The first speaker will be the Pantheological Professor of the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi, Mount Athos, Elder Ephraim, on the topic "Desert Messages".

The title of the Cycle comes from the Apostle Paul's Epistle to the Philippians (Phil. 2:16). There the Apostle calls the believers to keep and project the word of life in the world. In this spirit, the Department of Theology wants to give a platform to persons who convey to the academic community the lived word of the church tradition. Thus theological science meets the living testimony of faith.

The theme of the first speech refers to one of the most fruitful experiences of the Christian tradition. From the Desert Fathers to Mount Athos, the desert has been a place of exercise, prayer and encounter with God. At the same time, it emerged as a source of spiritual discourse, which continues to...