Alexandrian Legacy: A Critical Appraisal

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TO BHMA

NOVEMBER 2015

The Greek Australian VEMA

The event was well attended

Alexandrian Legacy launched by Professor Carole M. Cusack Alexandrian Legacy: A Critical Appraisal (Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2015), edited by St Andrew’s faculty members Protopresbyter Dr Doru Costache (Senior Lecturer in Patristic Studies), Dr Philip Kariatlis (Academic Director and Senior Lecturer in Theology), and myself, represents a milestone in the life of the College; a sign of its maturity and dedication to quality research. Alexandrian Legacy contains fourteen chapters that constitute revised versions of thirteen articles published in the College’s journal, Phronema; ten of which were based on papers delivered at St Andrew’s 2012 and 2013 Patristic Symposia, both of which were convened by Dr Costache and Dr Kariatlis. It also includes an entirely new chapter. The symposia just mentioned were based on the Alexandrian saints Athanasius and Cyril respectively; so, naturally much space is afforded in this volume to the life and writings of these two illustrious Fathers of the Church, who are nevertheless placed within the broader context of the enriching Alexandrian tradition. The volume was officially launched on the 9th of October, 2015 by Carole M. Cusack, Professor of Religious Studies in the Department of Studies in Religion at the University of Sydney, during the Inaugural Theology Symposium of St Andrew’s. The launch was hosted in the College’s great hall, in the presence of all participants at the conference and other guests, and was a particularly meaningful moment for me, as I introduced Professor Cusack, who along with Father Doru, supervised my doctoral thesis. Professor

Professor Carole M. Cusack launched ‘Alexandrian Legacy’

Cusack is an internationally renowned scholar. Trained as a medievalist, she is the author of many books and the editor of numerous volumes. She has also published countless journal articles and book chapters covering a range of topics from medieval Christianity, to European mythology, theories of conversion, religion and popular Culture and new religious movements. Professor Cusack began the launch by warmly reminiscing about her review of Cappadocian Legacy: A Critical Appraisal (edited by Father Doru and Philip and published by St Andrew’s Press in 2013) that was published in the Journal of Religious Studies 39:1 (2015). Turning to Alexandrian Legacy, Carole highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of the volume, stating that its interaction with the

fields of theology, patristics, history, and literature have produced an amazing body of work, which in many cases gives new insights into topics that are seldom addressed in scholarship. Describing Alexandrian Legacy as “fresh, original and challenging,” she affirmed that whilst the bulk of the book was on the Alexandrian saints Athanasius and Cyril, nevertheless the chapters by Dr Costache, Associate Professor Revd Bogdan Bucur and Associate Professor Vlad M. Niculescu examine the thought of figures such as Clement and Origen, whom, she commented, were essential in paving the way for the Alexandrian tradition. Professor Cusack then gave a chapter-by-chapter summary of the volume’s contents, which she praised for

their scholarly rigour and nuanced engagement with the sources. She noted especially the contributions of worldrenowned scholars such as Professor Pauline Allen, Revd Professor Denis Edwards, and Professor David Bradshaw, amongst others, and recommended the volume as an indispensable tool for anyone wishing to delve into the Alexandrian tradition. We were all especially enlivened by Professor Cusack’s personal touch to the launch of this volume, including her anecdotes concerning former colleagues at the Department of Studies in Religion who were present at the launch, including the Revd Dr John Chryssavgis, who was the main keynote speaker at the Theology Symposium and founding subdean of St Andrew’s, and Professor Garry W. Trompf, former head of Studies in Religion at Sydney University and lecturer at St Andrew’s. To conclude the launch, Carole expressed how much a pleasure it was to read Alexandrian Legacy, and indicated the fact that to see so many friends, colleagues, and former students at the launch made it a particularly happy occasion. The editors extend their heartfelt gratitude to Professor Cusack for launching the volume with such warm, gracious and encouraging comments. Alexandrian Legacy is available for purchase from the Cambridge Scholars website: www.cambridgescholars.com/alexandrian-legacy Dr Mario Baghos Associate Lecturer in Church History St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College

Athens metro makes world’s top 10 in Frommer’s travel guide Athens commuters may take it for granted on a dayto-day basis, but for visitors to the Greek capital the metro is one of the sites worth visiting. In fact online travel guide Frommer’s recently ranked the Athens metro among the top 10 subways in the world because of the archaeological exhibitions and contemporary art installations at a number of its stations. The feature by Charis Atlas Heelan compares different subway systems around the world, asking: “What makes the world’s best subway, Metro, and Tube sys-

tems? Other than safety, cleanliness, and cost, it doesn’t hurt to have amenities like great architecture or underground shops and eateries. Bonus points if the transit stations aren’t too crowded or have endless staircases.” The Athens metro is presented among the world’s top 10 in most flattering terms: “One of the crowning achievements of this city’s Olympic bid was the creation of Attiko Metro, a system with stations housing archaeological exhibits and items that were uncov-

ered while digging (walls, cisterns, urns, and even sarcophagi). Even if you don’t need to get to any of the 50-plus stations, it’s well worth a visit to Syntagma Square or Akropoli stations to see the relics or Ethniki Amyna station for more contemporary art installations. Though the trains aren’t that modern or efficient, the visual surroundings make it all worthwhile,” the writer says. Also in the top 10 list are Moscow, London, Stockholm, Tokyo, New York, Paris, Dubai, Hong Kong and Beijing.