Join us for an international conference on the campus of Hellenic College / Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston that will bring together a wide range of scholars and specialists in biblical studies and historical and systematic theology to examine the relationship between the Church Fathers and the spiritual reading of Scripture.

We will explore traditions of patristic exegesis as a form of contemplation or contemplative activity in which theoria, as both vision and interpretation, is applied to the inner meaning or spiritual depths of the biblical text.

Papers will explore the relationship in patristic literature between the reading of Scripture and such categories as mysticism, theophany, spirituality, ascetical theology, anagogy, and mystagogy. The contributions will attempt to move beyond the dichotomies associated with allegory and other forms of interpretation to explore Early Christian and medieval understandings of exegesis as part of a broader life in the Spirit or spiritual activity as a form of beholding and encountering God through the medium of the biblical text.

Event Information

Opening Lecture, Paul Blowers: Thursday, October 8, 7:00 PM EDT

Keynote Presentation, Frances Young: Friday, October 9, 9:00 AM EDT

Concluding panel: Saturday, October 10, 3:30 PM EDT

The full schedule, with presentation titles, will be published soon.

Conference registration includes access to all lectures and panels, a Thursday evening reception, light breakfast and a sit-down lunch on both Friday and Saturday, as well as coffee and refreshments for the duration of the conference. Please note that we are unable to offer accommodation on campus.