On November 12^th a Public Lecture, organized by the Hellenic Observatory of the London School of Economics, will be delivered by His Eminence Metropolitan Ignatius of Demetrias, on the theme "The Greek Orthodox Church and the Economic Crisis". The Greek Orthodox Church is considered historically as a central pole of national identity, but it is also currently experiencing a revival of various nationalistic ideologies. The depth in which this Church is impacted by the economic crisis of the country and the way it responds to it, is of major importance for the Greek state's public and social affairs. In his lecture, Metropolitan Ignatius, who has a strong record of connecting the Church to contemporary social issues and of opening up to other traditions, will address various questions and challenges raised by the current economic crisis, highlighting in parallel the important role played by the Church in Greece towards the overcoming of this difficult situation.

This lecture, a part of a series of public lectures, round tables and meetings organized by the Hellenic Observatory, focusing on diverse political, economic, social and intellectual aspects of modern Greece, will take place at Hong Kong Theatre, Clement House of London School of Economics, at 18.30-20.00 p.m. and will be chaired by the Hellenic Observatory Director, Professor Kevin Featherstone. This event is free and open to all. Entry is on a first come-first served basis.

For more information on this series of events one may visit http://www.lse.ac.uk/europeanInstitute/research/hellenicObservatory/home.aspx.