Orthodoxy and Islam

This article by Greek theologian Pantelis Kalaitzidis examines the relationship between Orthodoxy and Islam in the face of the challenges of modernity. Drawing on theological and comparative study, it establishes a parallel between these two religious traditions, which share a problematic relationship with modernity, characterized by tensions between an idealized spiritual heritage and contemporary realities. The author shows that this shared difficulty in integrating modernity can give rise to nationalist tendencies and forms of violence. On the theological and historical level, the article is part of a broader reflection on the need for Orthodoxy to engage in authentic dialogue with the contemporary world, a dialogue that thinkers such as Berdyaev, Evdokimov, and Clément began but which has never truly become widespread. The main contribution lies in this comparative perspective between Orthodoxy and Islam, shedding light on the identity dynamics at work in both traditions.