The presentation of the book “Il Patriarca Athenagoras e Chiara Lubich, storia e profezia di un incontro”, written by Sandra Ferreira Ribeiro, an expert in ecumenism, author of various articles on the topic, and an international trainer of young people and adults, took place on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, in the Aula Magna of the Sophia University Institute and was transmitted live on YouTube.

The initiative was promoted by the Ecumenical Chair “Patriarch Athenagoras – Chiara Lubich” of the Sophia University Institute in collaboration with Centro Uno (the Focolare Movement’s Centre for the Unity of Christians).

The book, published by Città Nuova, is part of the Sophia Pathways series, which highlights interdisciplinary research and teachings developed through dialogue between professors and students, in alignment with the academic mission of the Sophia University Institute.

Sandra Ferreira Ribeiro, who holds a doctorate in the Culture of Unity from the Sophia University Institute, has meticulously documented the historical encounter between Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I of Constantinople and Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement. Through a careful interpretation of its significance and legacy, this work stands as a reliable reference and a valuable contribution to revitalizing the ecumenical journey. It also outlines a method that identifies the conversion of heart and mind and the reciprocal charity lived in Christ as the “soul of the ecumenical movement” (Unitatis Redintegratio, 8).

The seminar featured the following speakers:

  • Prof. Declan O’Byrne, Rector of Sophia University Institute
  • Prof. Kyrillos Katerelos, Metropolitan of Krini and Exarch of Malta – Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
  • Prof. Pietro Francesco Coda, Secretary General of the International Theological Commission
  • Dr. Sandra Ferreira Ribeiro, author of the book and co-director of the “Uno” Center for the Unity of Christians

Event poster:
www.sophiauniversity.org/it/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PresLibro_CattedraEcumenica_22012025.pdf

For more information, please write to:
cattedra.ecumenica@sophiauniversity.org

The event was streamed on the following channels:

STREAMING IN ITALIAN: www.youtube.com/user/cittanuovatv
STREAMING IN ENGLISH: youtube.com/live/2Uf2XQgbeRs?feature=share
STREAMING IN PORTUGUESE: youtube.com/live/5wVD3wOtEek?feature=share