On October 21, Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University of Russia hosted the V International Scientific Symposium "Theology in the Modern Scientific and Educational Space. Traditional, modern, and universal values from the perspective of world faiths."
Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, Chairman of the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church and rector of the Church-wide Postgraduate and Doctoral School named after Saints Cyril and Methodius, greeted the participants. He also moderated the plenary session.
The main topic of his address was the principles of interreligious dialogue. According to Father Maxim, productive interaction involves attention to both common values and differences between religious traditions. The desire to emphasize unity should not lead to the concealment of doctrinal differences.
"We teach about God in different ways, we teach about man in different ways. And this needs to be said honestly out loud," Archpriest Maxim Kozlov emphasized. At the same time, he noted that traditional religions are united by a significant area of moral values. Cooperation on this basis should be combined with the loyalty of each party to its own religious beliefs.
Father Maxim also thanked RUDN University President Vladimir Filippov for his contribution to the development of theology and noted the importance of scientific meetings to strengthen its academic status. According to him, such discussions are especially important when conducted honestly and "in the spirit of seeking the truth."
The symposium participants discussed the place of values in the religious worldview, the relationship between the universal and national, as well as issues of continuity and contradictions between modern values and religious traditions.