What the study found
The article finds that Metropolitan John of Pergamon (Zizioulas) and Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia (Ware) present a holistic Orthodox view of creation care that includes animals in this world and in the next. It also says their teachings challenge anthropocentric, or human-centered, and hierarchical interpretations of creation.
What the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that these teachings offer a corrective framework to earlier damaging Christian and philosophical teachings. The study suggests this matters for understanding animal and environmental suffering and for Orthodox engagement with creation care, ecotheology, and animal theology.
What the researchers tested
The article examines the two metropolitans’ teachings on human dominion, meaning human rule over creation, and on the inclusion of non-human creatures in the future Kingdom of God. It also looks at their place within the Orthodox tradition through theological reflection, liturgical recognition, and moral responsibility.
What worked and what didn't
The article reports that both metropolitans challenge anthropocentric and hierarchical readings inherited from early Greek and Western philosophical frameworks. It also says they call for serious Orthodox engagement and education on creation care at all levels. The abstract does not provide contrasting findings that did not support their views.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe the article’s full evidence base or detailed method beyond examining their teachings. It also does not list specific limitations. The broader claims are presented as the authors’ interpretation of these teachings.
Key points
- The article examines John of Pergamon and Kallistos of Diokleia on animals in this world and the next.
- It says their teachings include non-human creatures within a holistic Orthodox view of creation care.
- The authors say the metropolitans challenge human-centered and hierarchical interpretations of creation.
- The article presents their approach as a corrective to earlier damaging Christian and philosophical teachings.
- The abstract calls for serious Orthodox engagement and education on creation care, ecotheology, and animal theology.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Orthodox theologians link animal care to creation care
- Authors:
- Christina Nellist
- Institutions:
- Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-07
- DOI:
- 10.63394/a5k02m66
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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