Instituut voor Oosters Christendom / Institute of Eastern Christian Studies

16/09/2026

After a summer break, we're happy to be back!
We're pleased to present a special issue of the Journal of Eastern Christian Studies, edited by IvOC associate researcher Liliya Berezhnaya:
📖 Volume 78 (2026), Issue 1-2 Orthodox Reforms in the "Long Seventeenth Century": The Kyivan Model
The issue features a range of fascinating contributions on Orthodox reform movements, including an article by our colleague Alfons Brüning.
Take a look and explore the issue. Several articles can be downloaded free of charge.
🔗https://brill.com/view/journals/jecs/78/1-2/jecs.78.issue-1-2.xml

24/06/2026

Where will Eastern Christianity inspire you this summer? Share your travels & inspiration with us!

Perhaps your travels will take you to a monastery in Greece, a church in Romania, a hidden chapel in the Netherlands, the ancient Christian landscapes of Syria, or the flourishing communities of Africa. Wherever you go, you may encounter beautiful icons, frescoes, liturgies, and traditions that reveal the rich and living heritage of Eastern Christianity.

📷 Share your photo (or video) with IvOC in the comments and tell us:
🔹 Where was it taken?
🔹 What inspired you?
🔹 What aspect of Eastern Christian heritage touched you most?

Throughout July and August, we will feature selected contributions and journey together through the rich and living traditions of Eastern Christianity.
We look forward to travelling with you all through images, stories, and encounters.

25/02/2026

Tijdens ons symposium op 27 maart krijg je een unieke kans om te luisteren en meepraten met:
Levendige presentaties:

- Bisschop Mor Polycarpus (Syrisch-Orthodoxe Kerk) over de schoonheid van kalligrafie.
- Prof. Heleen Murre van den Berg (Radboud Universiteit) over religieuze boeken en diaspora.
- Matay de Mayee, auteur van Haniyé, laat ons ‘proeven’ van de Suryoye-keuken.
- Vader Antonios Tarlizos gaat in op de muzikale traditie binnen het Grieks-orthodoxe geloof.

Mis het niet. Meld je aan voor het symposium in Utrecht. Meer info via:

Ontdek hoe religieuze tradities van oosterse en oriëntaalse kerkgemeenschappen in Nederland een nieuw thuis vinden. Een dag vol inspiratie, ontmoetingen en cultuur! Momenteel is er een trend gaande: we zien dat het aantal oosters-christelijk gelovigen in Nederland toeneemt. Er ontstaan door migrati...

16/02/2026

Our institute, together with the Platform Oosters Christendom, is delighted to host a special symposium on Religious Heritage: Eastern Christianity in the Diaspora in the Netherlands and Belgium, taking place on Friday 27 March 2026, in Utrecht.

The programme begins with an intimate guided tour of a Greek Orthodox church in Utrecht, followed by an inspiring afternoon filled with insights into the rich traditions of Eastern and Orthodox Christianity including music, food, calligraphy, religious books, and more.

Join us for this unique opportunity to engage with experts, connect with others involved in or curious about Eastern Christianity, and celebrate the vibrant religious diversity of the Netherlands and Belgium.

You can find all details here:
https://www.ru.nl/over-ons/agenda/symposium-religieus-erfgoed-in-de-diaspora
Sign up today, we look forward to welcoming you!

09/01/2026

We are hosting a network event for all our IvOC friends, partners, donors. Feel free to drop by on Wednesday 4 Feb 2026 2:3-PM to 4:30PM to say hello, peruse and buy discounted books from our library and support a good cause.
Let us know if you will attend?

26/11/2025

Join us for an inspiring and multicultural exploration of Religious Heritage, presented by the Platform Oosters Christendom
in Museum Catharijneconvent in Utrecht on Friday 27 March 2026.. More info via: https://www.oosterschristendom.nl/nederland/symposium-religieus-erfgoed-in-de-diaspora/

03/09/2025

IvOC, in samenwerking met de Studentenkerk Nijmegen presenteert: Een Russische stem voor vrede, een boek presentatie over het werk van Tolstoj. Sprekers zijn Sieuwert Haverhoek en Alfons Brüning. Meer info via onze website: https://www.ru.nl/over-ons/agenda/een-russische-stem-voor-vrede
Wees welkom, maar graag aanmelden!

18/06/2025

Recap of the wonderful Nicea symposium on 6 June 2025.

28/05/2025

Next week Friday IvOC hosts a unique symposium on the 1700th anniversary of the Nicea council and the establishment of the Nicene creed. There are only a few spots left. Don't miss out on the presentations and debates between John Behr, Marcel Sarot, and Herman Teule; moderated by IvOC director Alfons Brüning and presented by IvOC Chairman Geert van Dartel.

In het jaar 325 vond het historische Eerste Concilie van Nicea plaats. 1700 jaar later blijft de geloofsbelijdenis van Nicea een hoeksteen van het christendom.