Between the “Already” and the “Not Yet”: A Journey with Metropolitan John Zizioulas

by Bishop Maxim (Vasiljević)

This article focuses on the transformative journey “from the Omega to the Alpha” with the late Metropolitan John Zizioulas. Here I share personal souvenirs of my encounters with him, recalling how his academic rigor and pastoral warmth deeply enriched my understanding of our faith. Metropolitan John had a unique way of blending the biblical and eucharistic traditions into his theological discourse, and his last book was no exception.

Bishop Maxim (Vasiljević)

Bishop Maxim (Vasiljević) of Los Angeles and Western America (Serbian Orthodox Church) earned his doctorate in dogmatics and patristics from the University of Athens in 1999. He completed post-doctoral work in Byzantine History and Theology at the Sorbonne in Paris and taught at the French Academy of Fine Arts. He teaches at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston. Elected bishop of the Western American Diocese in 2006, he is also an accomplished painter with exhibitions worldwide. His notable works include History, Truth, Holiness (2011), Theology as a Surprise (2018), Wonder as the Beginning of Faith (2022), and Saved by Beauty: Dostoevsky and America (2022).

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