Public Lecture on Chora Monastery

Public Lecture on Chora Monastery

With the blessing of His Eminence, Archbishop Makarios (the Dean of St Andrew's Theological College), on 25 May 2023, the Church of the Resurrection (Kogarah) hosted a special event on the spiritual significance of Chora Monastery. His Grace, Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, opened proceedings with prayer and welcome. Then, Professor Vrasidas Karalis (University of Sydney) investigated the theological significance of the icons and architecture of Chora Monastery. Dr Andrew Mellas (St Andrew's Theological College) explored how the chapel at Chora Monastery invited the faithful to experience Heaven and Hell. Finally, a short performance by Melisma Ensemble, led by Dr Dimitri Koubaroulis, showcased a series of hymns linked to the liturgical life of Chora Monastery.

 

Introducing the Master of Greek Philosophy

Greek philosophy remains foundational to the history of ideas in the Western and Eastern traditions. It has shaped disciplines as diverse as theology, ethics, politics, science, and metaphysics. In particular, the writings of Plato, Aristotle, and the later Hellenistic and Byzantine philosophers have exercised enduring influence on Christian theology, especially in the Patristic and medieval Byzantine periods.

The Master of Greek Philosophy cultivates advanced capacity for critical engagement with the key figures, texts, and ideas of the ancient and Byzantine Greek philosophical tradition, preparing graduates to integrate these insights in further scholarly research, higher education, ministry, or other cultural and professional spheres.