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Our journey to Iznik began in Istanbul on November 8, 2025. We boarded a ferry and then a bus for a two-hour ride to our destination. The scent of morning coffee and the beautiful sunrise fueled our excitement as we awaited what was to come. Our first stop was the “Hagia Sophia Iznik” mosque (picture […]

While visiting Turkey and some of its most important historical sites from a religious perspective, we stood with many different people who were all pursuing the one God under their own dome. We discussed and learned about the pursuit of God in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. The question slowly arose: All three religions proclaim the […]

After an eventful day in Iznik, one of our last visits was to the Basilica of Saint Neophytos. In 2014, the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality took pictures of the Iznik River, where archaeologist Mustafa Sahin discovered an underwater basilica. The Basilica is believed to have been built in the 4th century AD. When the archaeologist discovered […]

This blog text is a result of the thematic course “Interreligious Relations in Istanbul and Beyond: The role of Religion in Society, State and Secularism” at Åbo Akademi University through the Polin Institute because of the jubilee of the council in Nicaea that took place in the year of our Lord 325. It has been […]

May 9-25, Turku, Finland – Ísafjörður, Iceland KNOWLEDGE AT SEA – TRANSDISCIPLINARY COMMUNITY PRACTICES FOR SUSTAINABILITY Study trip for artists, students, researchers and cultural workers What happens when artists, researchers, and cultural workers set sail together to explore sustainability—not just as a concept, but as a lived, shared practice? Dive into transdisciplinary action—share knowledge, build […]

Political Theologies of Constitutions, the Rule of Law, and the Common Good 23-24 April 2026University of Cambridge The constitution functions not only as a legal framework but also as a symbolic and practical foundation for societal life. This brings to the fore the role of constitutional values and principles as shared reference points. Constitutions may […]

Need time to finalize a book manuscript? Apply for a research stint at the Polin Institute for theological research within Åbo Akademi University, Finland. The Polin Institute is an international center for theological research in Finland. We announce two research stints of maximum six months between the beginning of September 2026 and the end of […]

The book Discovering Identity and Faith in Finland. A South African’s Reflection ”Embrace the Differences” is a deeply personal reflection on the author’s experiences in Finland. Noku Katom was a fellow participant of the ”Abraham Goes Global” exchange program between The Polin Institute, Åbo Akademi and Stellenbosch University running in the academic year 2024-2025. The […]

Reflections from Holy Week and a Study Trip to Cape Town and Stellenbosch During Holy Week, my thoughts return to our study trip to South Africa earlier this year. It was a journey filled with learning, beauty, and contrast. South Africa is a country of striking contrasts – visually stunning yet socially complex. Our course […]