"Boundaries" in Minority Groups (Eastern Churches in the Middle East)

An online talk delivered as part of the annual seminar series organised by the Centre of World Christianity at SOAS University of London

Abstract

In the context of "boundaries", with a particular focus on minority groups, this paper will discuss the case of the ancient apostolic Churches of the Middle East, including the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and the Assyrian Church of the East. Having researched these communities since the 1990s, Dr Chaillot has written extensively about their history, spirituality and their diaspora. In this presentation, she will examine the divisions and boundaries among these Churches within the Middle East and also in the diaspora, highlighting the factors that both separate and unite these communities, both historically and in the contemporary ”boundary” context.

Speaker biography

Christine Chaillot is the author of numerous articles and books on the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Churches in the fields of history, theology and spirituality, notably Vie et spiritualité des Églises orthodoxes orientales des traditions syriaque, arménienne, copte et éthiopienne (Le Cerf, Paris, 2010), The Orthodox Church in Eastern Europe in the Twentieth Century (Peter Lang, Oxford, 2011, Les Coptes d’Égypte. Discriminations et persécutions (1970-2011) (L’Harmattan, Paris, 2014), The Theological Dialogue Between the Eastern and Oiental Orthodox Churches (Volos, 2016/https://www.imdlibrary.gr/publications/the-dialogue-between-the-eastern-orthodox-and-oriental-orthodox-churches/), The Role of Pictures and Veneration of Icons in the Oriental Orthodox Churches, LIT Verlag, 2018, The Assyrian Church of the East. History and Geography (Peter Lang, Oxford, 2021), The Traditional Teaching of the Ethiopian Täwahedo Orthodox Church (Lit Verlag, 2023). Her books have been translated into eleven languages.

About the Centre of World Christianity

The SOAS Centre of Christianity aims to:

• raise awareness about and overcome colonial legacies in the studies of Christianity worldwide and improve understanding of non-Western Christian traditions in the world;
• foster a better link between the academic study of Christian traditions and Christian communities’ lived experiences in their historical and cultural context;
• engage with topical issues and inform real-time analysis, such as the role of religious discourse in conflict, war crimes against faith communities, and the problem of anti-Christian persecution where Christians are minorities.

The Centre is co-chaired by Dr Lars Laaman and Dr Romina Istratii.

Find out more about us: Centre of World Christianity | SOAS

Listen to our previous talks on Youtbe: SOAS Centre of World Christianity - YouTube

If you have any questions about the event, please contact Dr Romina Istratii (ri5@soas.ac.uk).

Registration

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