What inspired you to focus your dissertation on the WCC?Mantasasvili: My ecumenical journey began early in my academic career. During my master’s dissertation, I explored the topic of ecumenical theology and the ecumenical movement in the work of Prof. Nicos Matsoukas, a most profoundly inspiring Orthodox theologian, who has shaped a generation of contemporary Orthodox theologians, and his work sparked my initial interest in the World Council of Churches and the efforts of its Faith and Order Commission. In 2014, I had the honor of representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate as a steward during a WCC central committee meeting. This experience allowed me to witness the vital work of ecumenical collaboration firsthand and meet dedicated ecumenical leaders, such as Prof. Rev. Odair Pedroso Mateus, who later became the director of Faith and Order. That same year, His Eminence Elpidophoros, now Archbishop of America, nominated me as a youth representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the Commission on Faith and Order. Over the next eight years, I had the privilege of contributing to this important work. While the tasks were both fascinating and occasionally challenging, the experience was transformative. I worked alongside Orthodox church leaders, such as the late Metropolitan Gennadios of Sassima and His Eminence Vassilios of Constantia, as well as theologians like Prof. Rachel Muers, and so many other inspiring ecumenists. This extraordinary journey profoundly shaped my academic work and inspired the redirection of my dissertation toward the work of the WCC. It allowed me to witness the dedication of individuals striving to make a meaningful difference in Christianity and the world—working with mutual respect, fostering Christian unity, and striving for a positive impact on global challenges. So, my dissertation is titled “Anthropological models. From post-Palamite Philokalia to ecumenical dialogue (WCC)” and explores the anthropological paradigms within the post-Palamite Philokalia and their potential contributions to ecumenical dialogue, particularly within the framework of the World Council of Churches. By examining the Orthodox hesychastic tradition’s understanding of “human”, as a being created in the image and likeness of God and in a multidimensional relationship with his Creator, it is an effort to bridge spiritual practices rooted in hesychasm with contemporary theological discussions. The study highlights the relevance of Orthodox theology in addressing modern issues such as human rights, offering insights into human identity, spiritual unity, and the shared quest for reconciliation. In your work, what have you found other be the biggest challenges in building bridges related to human rights, human identity, and spiritual unity?Mantasasvili: During my research, I became acutely aware of how far we, as a society, have drifted from authentic Christian teaching and the life and experience it calls us to embody. In my view, this disconnection – detachment — is at the heart of the spiritual crisis humanity faces today. The diminishment and fragmentation of our relationship with God, ourselves, with one another, and with creation has led to a deep sense of alienation, deep crisis, and even desperation. In recent years, theological discussions, also within the World Council of Churches, have increasingly emphasized the need for a re-evangelization of the world. This initiative may hold the key to addressing our current spiritual and existential challenges. Re-evangelization, understood not merely as renewal but a path toward restoring our collective sense of purpose, identity, connection, and relationship. So, through my research I tried to make this link and the dissertation actually concludes with the synthesis of the anthropological models of the Philokalia, which are proposed as a discourse of peace, unity, and brotherhood, linking them to contemporary anthropological reflection and inter-Christian dialogue within WCC. Through the analysis, the timeless value of the hesychastic tradition and its originality today is highlighted, offering a perspective also for ecumenical dialogue and a foundation for peaceful coexistence and fraternity. How will your findings find their way into congregations across the world?Mantasasvili: This is a profound challenge, both in the academic and ecumenical spheres: ensuring that our work makes a tangible, positive impact—or any impact, for that matter—on society and congregations. While I recognize that in some church contexts it may be easier to bridge the gap between theological work and practical application, in many cases, the work we do often struggles to reach the people who need it most. Scholars and ecumenists, labor to articulate ideas, frameworks, and pathways that can inspire transformation, but there is always the risk that these efforts remain confined to the academic sphere. The question of how to translate our work into meaningful engagement with communities is a constant struggle. My idea-work is now released into the world and like all ideas, it will follow its own life and path, beyond my control. I can only hope and pray that, by God’s grace, this work will resonate beyond its immediate context, in ways that will spark dialogue, reflection, and practice. Ultimately, we all hope—that our ideas and efforts might contribute, however modestly, to a greater renewal of faith and community and in the same time, it is a reminder that while we plant seeds, it is God who brings the growth, often in ways we cannot foresee. | 
