Summary of webinar

On December 9, 2025, the second webinar organized by the Pan-Orthodox Concern for Animals (POCA), in cooperation with the Volos Academy for Theological Studies, was successfully convened. The session focused on Metropolitan Kallistos’ (Ware) recollections of his encounters with animals.

The panel featured distinguished speakers, namely Rev. Prof. Andreas Andreopoulos (King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts, UK), Dr. Elizabeth Theokritoff (Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies, Cambridge, UK), and Prof. David Goodin (Laval University, Canada). Using previously unreleased video footage, the panelists discussed themes raised by the late Metropolitan Kallistos concerning his interactions with cats, lynxes, and wolves.

The webinar commenced with an opening prayer for animal care offered by Rev. Demetrios Zacharopoulos, who also conveyed the official blessings of Archbishop Hieronymos of Athens and All Greece. A brief introduction to the topic and the POCA activities was provided by its founder and president, Dr. Christina Nellist.

Following each video presentation, the panelists offered expert commentary. Discussions centered on the profound relationship between humans and animals; the specific care monastics have historically demonstrated toward animals on Mount Athos (drawing on stories recounted or written by Metr. Kallistos) and the overarching need for an inclusive ethos that recognizes animals as “fellows” to humans.

The webinar concluded with a general reflection by His Grace Metropolitan Seraphim of Zimbabwe, a patron of POCA, and a final prayer for the welfare of both humans and animals. The webinar was moderated by Dr. Nikolaos Asproulis, Deputy Director of the Volos Academy for Theological Studies and Chair of POCA.
The video-recording of the event is available here: https://youtu.be/KJbOs34PnYk