Promoting Christian Respect & Responsibility for All His Creatures
We Are Supported By:
Establishment & Blessings
The Foundation
In 2017, Dr. Christina Nellist receives the official blessing of Archbishop Gregorios and Metropolitan Kallistos Ware to found the P.O.C.A. charity and website.
On 10th October, Pan-Orthodox Concern for Animals (P.O.C.A.) was registered with the UK Charity Commition under # 1175072.
Our first aim was to create this website to advertise the existence of the group. Initially, we did not have ‘membership’ or ‘newsletters’ because the use of social media is the most efficient and cost effective way of keeping our friends informed on the many issues involved in the subject of animal suffering.
However, now that we have established ourselves across the Orthodox and Non-Orthodox world, we now wish to establish representatives in different countries who will send us reports of the situation for animals within their regions. These reports will be collated into a newsletter for our members.
Our Mission
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Our Mission is the advancement of Christian respect and responsibility for the animal creation with special reference to Eastern Orthodox teachings – ancient and modern, reducing the suffering of animals and their environments, and how these teachings are relevant to contemporary animal and environmental issues.
Our Focus
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Our aim is to promote Christ’s loving compassionate care for all of His creatures and to advance the Patristic teachings that we as Image are to replicate Christ’s love and compassion for all of His created beings. We also aim to inform our readers that this subject is not new and has been discussed both in the Bible and by the early Church Fathers.
Our Beliefs
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We disseminate news/articles/interviews on compassionate care and relationships with animals and their environments from across the Orthodox world, together with articles and research on a wide range of contemporary animal and environmental issues.
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Countries Engaged:
Connecting global Orthodox communities through digital education and international theological outread
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Volumes:
Defining the future of Orthodox Animal Theology through major academic publications and scholarship
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Active Campaigns:
Turning theology into action by supporting over 15+ major animal protection bills and policy initiatives annually
Our Growth Through The Years
2019
Episcopal Support & Global Summits
Archiepiscopal Blessing: Newly appointed Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain grants his blessing to continue P.O.C.A.’s mission.
Halki Summit III: P.O.C.A. represents the voice for animal creation at the prestigious summit hosted by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
2021
Academic & Cultural Impact
Major Publications: P.O.C.A. contributors publish two seminal volumes on Climate Crisis and Creation Care through Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
The Face of God: P.O.C.A. serves as a consultant for the film The Face of God, highlighting Orthodox perspectives on the environment.
2023
Global Expansion
IOTA Volos: P.O.C.A. organizes a dedicated session on Creation Care at the 2nd International Orthodox Theological Association conference in Greece.
2024
Leadership Transition
New Chair Appointed: Renowned theologian Dr. Nikolaos Asproulis joins as Chair, bringing deep expertise in animal theology and systematic thought.
Animals in War: P.O.C.A. leads the annual Remembrance Service for Animals in War, honouring the “forgotten” victims of human conflict.
2025
International Reach
Inaugural Webinar: P.O.C.A. hosts its first global webinar, “Met. Kallistos of Diokleia: Education on Animals and Creation Care,” featuring a panel of international experts.
