The Orthodox Academy of Crete (OAC), in collaboration with the International Network of Medieval Studies Medievalists.net, organised the International Online Conference “Christmas in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages“, which took place via the zoom platform on 14 December 2024. The aim of the Conference was to explore Christian Antiquity and the Middle Ages through representations and representations of the birth of Jesus, from aspects of Theology, History and Art.

The Conference was welcomed by the Director General of the OAC, Dr Konstantinos Zorbas, through a written speech read by Ms Zoe Tsiami, scientific associate of the OAC, who also undertook the coordination of the Conference. In his address, the Director General stressed the historical and theological value of the theme of the Conference, as well as its correlation with the spirituality of today.

The baton was passed on to the speakers of the Conference. First, Mrs. Ksenija Kosić (Serbia), presented her speech on the theme of the representations of the Nativity in the decoration of the Churches. Next, Dr. Anastasija Ropa (Latvia) spoke on the representations and symbolism of animals in the Nativity of Jesus, while the subsequent talk was given by Lt. Dr. Hayarpi Hakobyan (Armenia), who presented the redemption of Eve through the Nativity of Christ in Early Christian Iconography. The Conference was closed by two closing addresses by Dr. Linda Vogt Turner (Canada) and Dr. Alessia Brombin (Georgia), who presented topics related to the tradition of St. Nicholas in Slovakia and John Chrysostom’s approach to the Nativity, respectively.

The Conference concluded with interesting discussions and questions, and the wish was expressed to hold the next conference. Interested parties can follow this OAC activity also from the Foundation’s YouTube channel, in English and in Greek.