Travelling religion: dynamic processes of Orthodox religious education in Germany

Abstract

The Orthodox Church in Germany is characterised by its diaspora situation. Most of the Orthodox Christians are related with at least one other country from Eastern, South-Eastern Europe or the Middle East. This constellation has an impact on Orthodox religious education historically as well as in terms of structure and religious pedagogics. Beyond national backgrounds the curricula consider cultural diversity and a formation of an Eastern identity of a Western Orthodoxy in a fruitful dialogue with the concrete local surrounding. At the same time, it corresponds to the religious education models prescribed by the German federal states, which includes denominational religious education and expectantly forms of denominational cooperation. Orthodox religious education in Germany is characterised by a dynamic process that aims to the Orthodox identity, the contextual surroundings and current challenges.