What Did Deacons Do? Online Seminars, February 24-26th 2021, 4-5 PM (GMT+1)
John N. Collins’ seminal work “Diakonia: Re-interpreting the Ancient Sources” (New York, 1990) provided the impulse for new research into the role and relevance of deacons and deaconesses in the developing Christian Church.
Since then, much work has been done, led and inspired by Dr. Edwina Murphy (Morning College, Sydney), Dr. Esko Ryökäs (University of Eastern Finland) and Prof. Dr. Bart J. Koet (Tilburg School of Catholic Theology, TST) , in association with Dr. Arnold Smeets (TST). Koet is also co-director of the Center for the Study of Early Christianity, a collaboration of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and TST.
Since 2014 the School of Theology (University of Eastern Finland) regularly organises international and ecumenical research conferences. The proceedings of the last conference are published in “Deacons and Diakonia in Early Christianity: the First Two Centuries” edited by Bart J. Koet, Esko Ryökäs, Edwina Murphy (eds), (Tübingen, 2018). In 2022 we are hoping to publish a second volume on deacons and diakonia in Early Christianity.
As a follow-up to the 2020 zoom-seminars “What did deacons do?”, the Tilburg School of Catholic Theology is facilitating a new series of seminars. In May 2021 another series will be organized.
24 February, 4-5 PM (GMT+1)
Chair: Dr. Nienke Vos, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
* Why Ask what Deacons Did? Dr. Arnold Smeets, TST
* The Liminal Nature of the Diaconal Role in the Didascalia Apostolorum. Phoebe Kearns MA, University of Winchester
25 February, 4-5 PM (GMT+1)
Chair: Prof. Dr. Bart J. Koet, TST
Deacons in the Testament of Our Lord. The State of the Question and Avenues for Future Research. Grant White MA, Sankt Ignatios College, Stockholm School of Theology
26 February, 4-5 PM (GMT+1)
Chair: Prof. Dr. Paul van Geest, TST
Deacons in the Writings of Gregory Nazianzen. Prof. Dr. Brian J. Matz, Fontbonne University (U.S.A.)
Practical Information
Admission is free. Please register using www.tiu.nu/Deacons02-2021. Parcticipants will receive an mail with the zoomlink on February 23, 2021.