His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania has urged Orthodox theology to respond clearly to the challenges posed by rapid technological progress, including artificial intelligence, highlighting the need to safeguard the dignity and spiritual vocation of the human person.
In a message for the 2nd International Conference “Orthodox Theology and the Ontology of Theology: Anthropological, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Consequences”, held in Thessaloniki from September 29 to October 1, 2025, Patriarch Daniel stressed that technology is a gift from God, but becomes problematic when it seeks to replace human beings instead of serving them.
The Romanian Patriarch underlined that the Church is called to reaffirm biblical and patristic anthropology in a world increasingly secularized and at risk of losing authentic reference points, reminding society that humans are created in the image of God and destined for eternal life and deification.
Orthodox Theology and the Challenges of the Contemporary World
With great joy in Christ the Lord, I received the invitation to take part in the works of the 2nd International Conference entitled “Orthodox Theology and the Ontology of Theology: Anthropological, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Consequences”, held in Thessaloniki from September 29 to October 1, 2025, on the occasion of the centennial anniversary of the prestigious journal Theologia of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece.
The theme proposed for debate this year is of great relevance, especially in today’s troubled, divided, and increasingly secularized world, where religious and spiritual values, as well as the Christian vision of humanity and society, are often challenged by representatives of various ideologies.
This ecclesial and academic event in Thessaloniki represents a moment of deep reflection on the impact of new technologies on human life and on the Church.
In a world marked by the rapid advancement of information technology and artificial intelligence in daily life, questions concerning human nature, freedom, justice, suffering, illness, communion among people, and salvation are becoming increasingly pressing and require clear and relevant answers from the Church.
Thus, Orthodox theology, like “a little leaven which leavens the whole lump” (1 Corinthians 5:6), is called to offer not only a spiritual response, but also one that is profoundly anthropological and moral to the challenges that the new technological era poses to the Church and to society.
In this context, Orthodox theology is called to bear witness to the ever-relevant anthropological perspective of Eastern Christianity, which emphasizes the value and uniqueness of the human person, the importance of the communion of love between God and humanity, and the holiness of creation. According to Orthodox theology, technology is not inherently a danger, but rather a gift from God to humanity.
However, it becomes problematic when it no longer serves humanity, but tends to replace it, when technological efficiency, control, and utilitarianism are absolutized to the detriment of the values of freedom, dignity, and the spirituality of the human person.
In a world at risk of losing its authentic reference points, a concerted effort is required on the part of Orthodox Church ministers to reaffirm biblical and patristic anthropology.
Faced with technologies that rapidly and profoundly transform social, economic, and family structures, the Church is called to remind humanity that man is not merely a useful biological or digital function within society, but a person created in the image of the personal and eternal God, who is called to eternal life and to deification, according to the exhortation of the Lord Jesus Christ: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).
In conclusion, we warmly congratulate the organizers of this event and all those who, through their efforts, contribute to the uninterrupted publication of the Theologia journal of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, which reflects in its pages a living, dynamic theology, engaged with the problems of the world, yet faithful to the teaching of faith grounded in divine Revelation.
At the same time, we pray to the Lord Jesus Christ to bless all participants in the works of this International Conference, granting them wisdom and spiritual help so that they may work together in the spirit of truth, peace, and communion, for the good of the Church and of the entire world.
With fatherly blessing in Christ the Lord,
† Daniel
Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church
Photo: Basilica.ro Files / Raluca Ene
