Dr. Konstantinos S. Kenanidis

new General Director OAC from 1 January, 2009

Born on 30 June 1968 in Polygyro, Chalkidiki. Son of the Protopresbyter and Professor of Theology, Savvas, and Evangelia Kenanidis. Married to the Teacher of English, Petroula Cole. They have two children, Evangelia and Fotini.           

In 1990, he completed his studies in the field of Theology at the Faculty of Theology of the Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki with grade Excellent (9/10). In the same year, he began with post-graduate studies at the same Faculty, in the field of Ethics, Sociologyand Pastoral CounselIn 1991, he moved to Strasbourg (France), where he enrolled at the post-graduate department of the Roman-Catholic Faculty of the University of Human Studies II USHS, and in November 1992 he receives his post-graduate diploma D.E.A. in Pastoral Psychology and Christian Pedagogy. The title of the thesis: The Crisis of Adolescents in a Secularized Society and the Consequences for their Spiritual Life. The same year, he enrols for doctoral studies at the same Faculty and for the next five years receives a scholarship from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France. In February 1994, he enrols at the Institute for Higher Studies in Psychology and Family of the Faculty of Psychology of the University UCL in Louvain la Neuve (Belgium), where he successfully finishes the circle of studies in his special field. In June 2002, he receives his doctoral diploma in Pastoral Counselling for Adolescents and Family, in the field of Theology of the Theological Faculty of the Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki.

            From 1991-1993, he worked at the Plenary Sessions of the European Parliament in Strasbourg occupied with issues concerning Information for Visitors. During the second half of the year 1993, he was Advisor of the President of the European Centre for Youth of the European Council.

            From 2004 until June 2007, he taught at the department for Primary School Teaching and Nursery School Teaching of the Pedagogical Faculty of the University of Western Macedonia (Florina), as a senior fellow, the following subjects: Basic Principles of Counselling Psychology, Counselling for Pupils and Parents, Pedagogical Psychology II, School Psychology and Counselling. From September 2007 until September 2008, he taught the following subjects at the Highest Ecclesiastical Academy Thessaloniki: Pastoral Psychology, Pastoral Theology, Applied Pastoral Care, Psychology of Religion, Contemporary Psychoanalytical (psychological) Theories and the Orthodox Approach and Way of Dealing with, as well as The Parish in History and Present. In January and February 2008, he taught as a visiting professor at the Orthodox Theological Faculty in Kinshasa Kongo the subject Introduction to Pedagogical Psychology and to Orthodox Pastoral Care.

            From 1999-2008, he worked at the Municipality of Kalamaria as Responsible and Professor at the Parental Schools of the municipality as well as at the Counselling Office. Moreover, from 2001-2007, he worked as a teacher of Theology at the High School (Gymnasium and Lycée) of the Korais private school. From 2003 –2004 he was scientific collaborator of the 1st Neurological clinic of the Medical School of the Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki, member of the group of professor Stavros Balogiannis responsible for the treatment of Dementia; Counselling and therapeutic support for young members of families who have a patient with Dementia. From March 2005 onwards, he has been a Regular Member of the A.I.E.M.P.R. (Association Internationale d´Etudes Médico-Psychologiques et Religieuses).

In January 2009, he was unanimously elected General Director of the Orthodox Academy of Crete (OAC).

Since 2009, he represents the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Consulting Group on Diaconia of the World Council of Churches (WCC). He represents the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the Joint Consultative Group WCC-Pentecostals (JCGP) and is Member of the board at the NGO “Philoxenia” of the Holy Provincial Synod of the Church of Crete.

Since 2009, he takes part in delegations of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in different ecumenical organizations (CEC, WCC), at international conferences, etc..

Since 2010, he represents the Ecumenical Patriarchate as permanent member in the budget commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and was appointed as a member of the Commission on Bioethics of the Holy Provincial Synod of the Church of Crete in the same year.

In September 2010, he was elected vice-president of the Association of Academies and Laity Centres in Europe.

He speaks French, English and Serbian.