Metropolitans John of Pergamon and Kallistos of Diokleia
Animals and Their Place in This World and the Next
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63394/a5k02m66Keywords:
John Zizioulas, Kallistos Ware, Orthodox theology, patristics, dominion, eschatology, souls, ecotheology, animal theology, educationAbstract
This article examines the teachings of Metropolitan John of Pergamon (Zizioulas) and Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia (Ware) on the place of animals in this world and the next. It begins with an examination of their views on the proper interpretation and exercise of human dominion before investigating their views on the inclusion of non-human creatures in the future Kingdom of God. It explores how both metropolitans challenge anthropocentric and hierarchical interpretations inherited from early Greek and Western philosophical frameworks. It outlines their views on the place of animals within the Orthodox tradition of the care of creation that integrates theological reflection, liturgical recognition, and moral responsibility. It concludes with a call from both metropolitans for the need for serious Orthodox engagement and education at all levels on the subject of “creation care” understood at an academic level as ecotheology and animal theology. It is suggested that the metropolitans’ teachings offer a holistic vision of creation care that situates the Orthodox tradition as a corrective framework to earlier damaging Christian and philosophical teachings, addressing contemporary challenges regarding animal and environmental suffering while remaining faithful to Scripture and patristic teaching.
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