St Ephrem, Doctor of the Universal Church: a hundred years on from
Pope Benedict XV’s Declaration
Saturday 30 April 10.30 am – 4 pm
ST THEOSEVIA CENTRE FOR CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY
OPEN STUDY DAY
at St Theosevia House, 2 Canterbury Road, Oxford OX2 6LU
An Ecumenical Centre for Christian Spirituality in Oxford
St Ephrem, Doctor of the Universal Church: a hundred years on from
Pope Benedict XV’s Declaration
Saturday 30 April 10.30 am – 4 pm
‘Who was St Ephrem,
and why is he still important?’
Dr Sebastian Brock and Dr David Taylor
The Declaration by Benedict XV of St Ephrem as ‘Doctor of the Church’ (1921): The Holy See, Eastern Christianity, and Syriac tradition
Anthony O’Mahony
No registration needed. Free for students with card; £5 for non-students.
Tea and coffee provided. You are welcome to bring a sandwich lunch.
From the Director: Revd Dr Liz Carmichael, St John’s College.
Liz.Carmichael@sjc.ox.ac.uk April 2022
House landline: 01865 310341.
Assistant Director of Studies: tba
Dear Friends of St Theosevia’s,
Welcome to the second post-lockdown Study Day! We celebrate the centenary of the declaration in 1921 of St Ephrem the Syrian (ca AD 306 – 373) as a Doctor of the universal Church. St Ephrem was born in Nisibis (now in Turkey) and became a theological teacher, defender of Nicene Orthodoxy, and prolific hymn-writer. Amid turbulent times he fled to Edessa, where reportedly he led all-female choirs in singing his hymns, to Syriac folk-tunes, in the market-place. What is his contribution and why is he still important?
We have just this one Study Day at St Theosevia’s this Term, but you may be interested in a ’reflective Study Day’, online or in-person, led by Rowan Williams on Sat 14 May, 10am – 3pm, at St Michael at the North Gate, on ‘Christian Imagination in Wales’. Registration is necessary (no tickets at the door). In-person £30, online £20. Google the Oxford Centre for Spiritual Growth or email info@ocsg.uk.net or call Ben Simpson on 07523 529 621.
The day on the Ethiopian Orthodox Church on Saturday 5 March was very well attended. Everyone shared in Cressida Marcus’s abundant Ethiopian feast at lunchtime! Morning prayers were said on the Sunday in the Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity and the Annunciation next door.
With all best wishes,
LIZ CARMICHAEL
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It will be appreciated if you can send a Newsletter Subscription, still held at £3 pa, either by cheque to ‘St Theosevia Trust’ posted to Newsletter, St Theosevia House, 2 Canterbury Rd, OX2 6LU; or, to pay by bank transfer please contact the Bursar Fuchsia.Hart@sant.ox.ac.uk
Free tea and coffee are available at Study Days, from 10 am and at lunch-time. Lunch break is 1-2 pm. Bring packed lunch, or you can find food nearby in North Parade. If you are willing to help serve coffee for a study day you will have a free place – please leave a message on 01865 310341.
For the Oxford Centre for Spiritual Growth, see www.ocsg.uk.net Contact Ben Simpson at OCSG <info@ocsg.uk.net>
