Pan-Orthodox Concern for Animals

09/10/2026

Earlier this year we informed you that POCA members were involved in the establishment, reviewing/editing and contributions to a new Eco theology journal. We are happy to share that ECOTHE has been approved as a scientific journal at Level 1 in the Norwegian Register of Scientific Journals, Series and Publishers.

This means that articles published in ECOTHE are now officially recognised as scientific publications in the Norwegian research system and count as publication points for authors at Norwegian institutions. It is an important recognition of the quality of the journal and of the work done by authors, reviewers and the editorial team.

We hope this will encourage even more colleagues to submit their research on ecotheology and sustainability to ECOTHE

30/09/2026

When You open Your hand, all things shall be filled with Your goodness." — Psalm 103:28 (104:28)

God opens His hand in generosity, filling every living thing with beauty and goodness.

As human beings created in God's image, we are called to extend that same open-handed protection and care to His creatures.

Yet in modern factory farms, billions of chickens—creatures made to live under the open sky—are confined in crowded sheds, treated not as living beings filled with God's goodness, but as industrial commodities.

When we ignore the suffering of animals, we turn away from our holy calling as stewards of God's creation. A merciful heart refuses to look away. Following God's example means choosing gentleness over exploitation, ensuring that our treatment of animals reflects the goodness God intended for them. Let us align our daily choices with the open hand of God, seeking mercy and dignity for every creature He made.

🌿 How can we better reflect God's open-handed care for animals in our lives today?

29/09/2026

As i begin to write our yearly submission to the Charity commission and our yearly Review, I give below the link to our first Webinar of the year on the work of Met Kallistos, one of our Founder members and first Patron. We have senior Orthodox professors and theologians discussing his teachings, given in the form of short videos specifically created to raise funds for POCA. Enjoy! 😊

Se alla dina favoriter bland videor och musik, ladda upp originalinnehåll och dela allt med vänner, familj och hela världen på YouTube.

22/09/2026

"He magnifies the Lord who observes with a keen understanding and most profound contemplation the greatness of creation, so that from the greatness and beauty of creatures he may contemplate their Creator. The deeper one penetrates into the reasons for which things in existence were made and were governed, the more he contemplates the magnificence of the Lord and, as far as it lies in him, magnifies the Lord." — St. Basil the Great, Homily 16:3

St. Basil teaches us that observing animals and nature with a "keen understanding" is a way to magnify God. When we work to advocate for the humane treatment of animals, we are honoring the work of His hands.

Let us look at the creatures around us not as objects, but as reflections of Divine Beauty.



Image: St. Basil the Great via World History Encyclopedia (worldhistory.org)

18/09/2026

Yesterday we attended 'Counting the Ecological Cost of AI - Data Centres, Water, Energy, and Critical Mineral Extraction' webinar hosted by the WCC Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development and Commission on Health and Healing, in partnership with the Canadian Council of Churches.
It brought together theologians, ethicists, and scientists to explore what climate justice demands of the AI age, and how churches can respond.
Training AI models can use as much electricity as hundreds of households, and a single AI conversation can require half a litre of fresh water for cooling. Behind every chatbot query sits a data centre: consuming energy, water, and critical minerals, often imposed on rural and poor communities without their consent. Panelists were Rev Glen Chebon Kernell, Seminole Nation, United Methodist Church in USA and Commission of the Churches on International Affairs
Rev Dr Yoon-Jae Chang, Presbyterian Church in Korea and Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development
Ms Wanjou Lin, Presbyterian Church in Taiwan and University of Tubingen. The Q&A was also very informative. Here is the link:

The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches which confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according to the scriptures, and therefore seek to fulfil together their common calling to the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is a community of churches on the way....

17/09/2026

We attended our first meeting of the Eurogroup Leadership earlier this week, which was extremely informative on the present status of animal legislation within the EU, and live transportation regulations. Our aim is to support and inform future initiatives within the various Working Groups, which are:
● Animals in Science
● Cats & Dogs
● Equines
● Farm Animals
● Wild Animals
Thus far, members of our group have indicated that they would like to work in Animals in Science; Farm Animals; Wild Animals. I will attempt to engage with all groups. In time, we will add a page to our new website giving further details and information.

14/09/2026

If you look at our new website, https://panorthodoxconcernforanimals.org/
you will see that we collaborate with the UK Centre for Animal Law (ALaw). If you are interested in writing for the Journal, see below.
In this months magazine they have the following articles:

'Desmond's Army Animal Law Advocates, the Passage of Desmond's Law in Conneticut and Analysis of Animal Cruelty Cases and Attorney Advocate Appointments from 2016-2025' by Robin "Zilla" Cannamela, Deborah Weinrauch, Joyce Glass and Olivia Dorian

'Protected Milk, Unprotected Animals: Dairy UK v Oatly and the Legal Architecture of Animal Agriculture' by Acland Bryant

''Routine' emergency killing? The WATOK licensing regime and the on farm killing of pigs' by Charlotte Morrish

The UK Journal of Animal Law is the UK's only peer-reviewed academic journal about animal law and policy. We welcome the submission of manuscripts, as well as shorter articles and pieces for the Cases, Updates & Materials section. If you are interested in submitting a piece of work or have any queries, please contact us at [email protected].

“Which man of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well, will not immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?” – Luke 14:5 Reducing Animal Suffering Through the Teachings of the Eastern Orthodox Church Bridging the Ancient Wisdom of Scripture and the Church Fathers with Modern Anim...

13/09/2026