OAK: Opening of the 2nd Conference of the International Observatory of Religious Fundamentalismtranslated

The official opening of the 2nd Conference of the International Observatory of Religious Fundamentalism took place in the afternoon, Thursday, July 2, 2026, at the premises of the Orthodox Academy of Crete, in Kolymbari, Chania, with the theme "Fundamentalism and Protection of Religious Monuments and Sites". The event was attended by clergy and laity of the area, while the Holy Provincial Synod of the Church of Crete was represented by Rev. Metropolitan of Lampi and Sfakion, Mr. Joakim.

According to the Program of the Conference, the Greetings were preceded, first by that of the Regional Hierarch, the Rev. Metropolitan Kissamos and Selinos Mr. Amfilochios, who emphasized the importance of religious dignity and the fact that a holy place primarily signifies a way of religious attitude and life. This was followed by the reading of the Message sent by the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Asylum, Ms. Voloudaki, who congratulated the co-organizers for the timeliness of the Conference, and the Greeting of the Director of the Observatory's Scientific Council, Prof. AUTH, Mr. Petros Panagiotopoulos.

Subsequently, the start of the work of the Conference was announced by the President of the Board of Directors of...