International Conference in Tartu Explored the Relationship Between Orthodoxy and Empire

On October 6, the University of Tartu Senate Hall hosted the international conference "Orthodoxy in Imperial and Post-Imperial Contexts", bringing together leading scholars in Orthodox theology, history, and canon law. The central theme of the discussions was how imperial frameworks have shaped Orthodox Christianity and how imperial identity and legacy relate to contemporary Orthodox churches.

The full conference is available for rewatch at UTTV!

The conference highlighted that the development of the Orthodox Church has been closely intertwined with imperial structures and ideologies, from the Roman and Byzantine Empires to the Russian Federation. Several presentations emphasized the current close cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian state, where religion plays a key role in shaping Russian imperial identity.

The conference was organized by the School of Theology nd Religiou Studies at the University of Tartu in cooperation with the Orthodox Church of Estonia and the Volos Academy for Theological Studies in Greece. Experts from Austria, Greece, Lithuania, France, Ukraine, Italy, and Belgium participated, adding a broad international perspective to the discussions.