Upcoming gatherings on Early Christianity and Patristics
Upcoming talks by prominent scholars in the field
Summer programs, online courses, and more
Current exhibitions relating to the world of the Fathers
Opportunities to visit holy sites, monasteries, and ancient lands
Conferences
10--11 October 2025
Mystery of the Incarnation: A Conference Celebrating the Contributions of Paul Blowers, Tennessee
This conference celebrates the contributions of Dr. Paul Blowers (NAPS President 2009) to the field of patristics and early Christian studies. The conference will bring together scholars and graduate students from regional institutions to present papers engaging with themes from Dr. Blowers' work, including early Christian exegetical traditions, the Cappadocian Fathers, and the development of Christian doctrine in late antiquity. The conference will be held at Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan University (near Johnson City, TN).
For more details and information, click here.
24--26 October 2025
50th International Patristic, Medieval, and Renaissance Conference, Villanova
The theme of this year's PMR is "Mysticism, Trinity, Crisis." Crisis, as a way of considering what light we may shed on past crises, and what reparative possibilities our traditions offer. Trinity, commemorating Nicaea, but also pondering the long legacy of this conundrum of thought and vibrant spirituality in the Christian tradition. And Mysticism, as deepening our examination of this fundamental dimension of our religious life, that intimate universal, the God who is interior intimo meo.
Keynote speakers: Sarah Coakley and Niklaus Largier
Call for papers deadline: June 30, 2025
For more details and information, click here.
30 October -- 2 November 2025
51st Annual Byzantine Studies Conference, Detroit
On behalf of the Department of Art, Art History and Design at Oakland University and the Department of Classical and Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures at Wayne State University, we are delighted to welcome you to Detroit for the 51st annual BSANA Byzantine Studies Conference. This year's event will be held from Thursday, October 30 to Sunday, November 2 at the AC Hotel Detroit at Bonstelle and at the McGregor Memorial Conference Center at Wayne State University in Detroit.
For more details and information, click here.
24--29 August 2026
25th International Congress of Byzantine Studies, Vienna
The International Congress of Byzantine Studies is the world’s largest academic event dedicated to the latest research and findings on the Byzantine Empire, its history, and culture. Since the first congress in 1924 in Bucharest, it has been held approximately every five years in different locations, attracting up to 1,500 participants in recent years. In 2026, the 25th Congress will take place in Vienna, where researchers from around the globe will present their work in hundreds of presentations. Cultural events and receptions will offer numerous opportunities for informal exchange. Exhibitions and collaborations with the city of Vienna and individual cultural institutions will also make the academic research accessible to a wider audience.
Inaugural Lecture: Maximilien Durand, Department of Byzantine and Eastern Christian Art, Louvre Museum, Paris
Call for papers deadline: October 31, 2025
For more details and information, click here.
Lectures
18 September 2025, 7:30 - 9:00pm
Boston Patristics Group (Patristica Bostoniensia)
Philo's De Iosepho 1-36
Robert Williams (B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary)
In-person meeting at the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard Divinity School, with remote Zoom participation. Contact
For more details and information, contact Prof Susan Holman here.
27 September 2025, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Providence Patristics Group
Color Symbolism and Demonology in the Life of Paul of Tamma and the Coptic Life of Aaron
Claire E. Koen (Salve Regina College)
The Providence Patristics Group is an informal gathering of scholars in the Providence, RI area who meet twice a semester over light refreshments to discuss a pre-distributed
paper by one of our attendees. We have been especially interested in work in progress, and in rough draft form, in order to think through research problems, questions, and
possibilities in an open atmosphere of shared scholarly conversation and exchange. The Department of Religious Studies at Brown University and the Department of Theology at
Providence College have graciously hosted our meetings in alternate sessions since 2006.
For more details and information, contact Prof Susan Harvey here.
16 October 2025, 7:30 - 9:00pm
Boston Patristics Group (Patristica Bostoniensia)
Oz Tamir (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
In-person meeting at the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard Divinity School, with remote Zoom participation. Contact
For more details and information, contact Prof Susan Holman here.
13 November 2025, 7:30 - 9:00pm
Boston Patristics Group (Patristica Bostoniensia)
Gregory Nazianzus’ Funeral Oration On St. Basil theGreat (Or. 43.44-52): An Exegesis Of Job 26.5-6?
Theodore Feldman
In-person meeting at the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard Divinity School, with remote Zoom participation. Contact
For more details and information, contact Prof Susan Holman here.
11 December 2025, 7:30 - 9:00pm
Boston Patristics Group (Patristica Bostoniensia)
Ingo Schaaf (University of Freiburg)
In-person meeting at the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard Divinity School, with remote Zoom participation. Contact
For more details and information, contact Prof Susan Holman here.
6 December 2025, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Providence Patristics Group
Putting the Living Gospel to Liturgy: The ‘Synaxeis Hymns’ of the Manichaean Psalmbook
Jae Hee Han (Brown University)
The Providence Patristics Group is an informal gathering of scholars in the Providence, RI area who meet twice a semester over light refreshments to discuss a pre-distributed
paper by one of our attendees. We have been especially interested in work in progress, and in rough draft form, in order to think through research problems, questions, and
possibilities in an open atmosphere of shared scholarly conversation and exchange. The Department of Religious Studies at Brown University and the Department of Theology at
Providence College have graciously hosted our meetings in alternate sessions since 2006.
For more details and information, contact Prof Susan Harvey here.
22 January 2026, 7:30 - 9:00pm
Boston Patristics Group (Patristica Bostoniensia)
Michael Magree, SJ (Boston College)
In-person meeting at the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard Divinity School, with remote Zoom participation. Contact
For more details and information, contact Prof Susan Holman here.
19 February 2026, 7:30 - 9:00pm
Boston Patristics Group & Providence Patristics Group (Joint Meeting)
The Divine Hand in Jewish and Christian Iconography
Robin Jensen (University of Notre Dame)
In-person meeting at the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard Divinity School, with remote Zoom participation. Contact
For more details and information, contact Prof Susan Holman here.
19 March 2025, 7:30 - 9:00pm
Boston Patristics Group (Patristica Bostoniensia)
Michal Beth Dinkler (Yale Divinity School)
In-person meeting at the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard Divinity School, with remote Zoom participation. Contact
For more details and information, contact Prof Susan Holman here.
16 April 2025, 7:30 - 9:00pm
Boston Patristics Group (Patristica Bostoniensia)
Just How Miaphysite Was Egypt in the Sixth and Seventh Centuries?
Paul Ulishney (Boston College)
In-person meeting at the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard Divinity School, with remote Zoom participation. Contact
For more details and information, contact Prof Susan Holman here.
6 December 2025, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Providence Patristics Group
Spinning New Threads: A Sartorial Theology in the Works of Clement of Alexandria
Arthur Urbano (Providence College)
The Providence Patristics Group is an informal gathering of scholars in the Providence, RI area who meet twice a semester over light refreshments to discuss a pre-distributed
paper by one of our attendees. We have been especially interested in work in progress, and in rough draft form, in order to think through research problems, questions, and
possibilities in an open atmosphere of shared scholarly conversation and exchange. The Department of Religious Studies at Brown University and the Department of Theology at
Providence College have graciously hosted our meetings in alternate sessions since 2006.
For more details and information, contact Prof Susan Harvey here.
Courses and Workshops
Fall 2025
Introduction to Greek Paleography (Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology)
This semester-long graduate course provides essential training in the reading of Greek manuscripts for students in historical theology and adjacent fields of ancient and medieval
scholarship.