Two Traditions, One Space: Orthodox Christians and Muslims in Dialogue

Rev. Dr. George C. Papademetriou, Editor
With a Foreword from an Orthodox Perspective, by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I
And a Foreword from a Muslim Perspective, by Dr. Mahmoud Ayoub

ISBN 978-1-935244-06-6

About the Book

For centuries Orthodox Christians and Muslims have co-existed in close proximity to each other in the Middle East and the Mediterranean area. This volume compiles scholarly studies about their historic connections, as well as contemporary efforts at dialogue that promote understanding between adherents of these two world religions.

Praise for The Book

“Papademetriou has made a real contribution in drawing together articles that sketch important areas for dialogue – Jesus as prophet, categories for historic Byzantine and contemporary inter-religious dialogue, reflection on key players such as John of Damascus and St. Gregory of Palamas, the role of Aristotle in Islamic and Christian thought, and the Jesus Prayer and Dhikr in comparative piety – to name but a few. This book enters a realm often overlooked by the politicization of religion, the common elements of an Islamic-Eastern Christian Civilization.”
Dr. Rodney Petersen, Executive Director,
Boston Theological Institute

“This book offers rich insight into the theological dialogue between Orthodox Christianity and Islam that goes back centuries in the land where Muslims and Orthodox Christians first interacted as neighbors. The articles collected in this volume illustrate the breadth of this dialogue, which has continued to the present day.”
Dr. Antonios Kireopoulos, Associate General Secretary - Faith & Order and Interfaith Relations, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA

About the Author

George C. Papademetriou is Professor Emeritus of Theology and Director of the Library at Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts. He has written and lectured extensively on comparative theology, Saint Gregory Palamas, and philosophy of religion. In addition to his research and teaching, he has been actively engaged in inter-religious trialogue among Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Rev. Dr. Papademetriou was the faculty organizer and chairperson of the first International Muslim-Orthodox Christian Dialogue on the campus of Holy Cross in 1985.

About the Cover Image

The front cover image is a contemporary mosaic (ca. 1980s) depicting Patriarch Gennadios in dialogue with Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror after the capture of Constantinople in 1453. It is located at the Orthodox Christian Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul, Turkey.

Contents

Historical, Philosophical, and Theological Encounters
• Jesus as a Prophet of Islam, George Patronos
• Byzantine Inter-Religious Dialogue, Marios P. Begzos
• Saint Gregory Palamas: Three Dialogues with Muslims, George C. Papademetriou
• Islamic Aristotelian Philosophy, Gregorios D. Ziakas
• Speaking His Mind in a Multi-Cultural and Multi-Religious Society: John of Damascus and His Knowledge of Islam in Chapter 101 (“The Heresy of the Ishmaelites”) of His Work Concerning Heresy, Radko Popov
Contemporary Dialogue
• Byzantine and Contemporary Greek Orthodox Approaches to Islam, Anastasios Yannoulatos
• The Jesus Prayer and Dhikr: A Potential Contribution to Christian-Muslim Dialogue, Samira Awad Melki
• Contemporary Dialogue between Orthodox Christians and Muslims, George C. Papademetriou
• The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and Recent Dialogue with Islam, Gregorios D. Ziakas
• Coda: How an Orthodox Christian Monk Saved the Life of a Muslim King, George C. Papademetriou
• A Brief Summary of Islamic Beliefs, George C. Papademetriou
• Recent Activities of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Muslim-Christian Dialogue