The Christian Communities of Jerusalem and the Holy Land: Studies in History, Religion, and Politics

by Anthony O'Mahony (Editor)

Overview

The Christian presence in Jerusalem has always been diverse and cosmopolitan, encompassing numerous churches representative of ecclesiastical traditions older than many nation states and ethnic groups. Indeed, the city’s various Christian communities are administered by three Patriarchs, five Catholic patriarchal vicars, four archbishops and two Protestant bishops.

From the end of the Crusader period onwards, these communities have come under the rule of numerous political entities, from the Ottoman Empire through to the British Mandatory Administration and the modern states of Jordan and Israel. The complex interaction of religion and politics, and the involvement of Christians in politics, has been a constant theme in the religious culture of Jerusalem.

The essays collected here provide a comprehensive historical, religious and political survey of the Christian communities of modern Jerusalem. Individual essays deal with topics ranging from church-state relations to women missionaries and various expressions of Eastern and Western Christian presence and, taken as a whole, offer a fascinating overview of Christianity in the Holy Land at the beginning of a new century.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780708317723
Publisher:	University of Wales Press
Publication date:	04/09/2003
Series:	Studies in History, Religion and Politics Ser.
Pages:	210
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Anthony O’Mahony is Director of Research at the Centre for Christianity and Interreligious Dialogue, Heythrop College, University of London. His books include The Christian Heritage in the Holy Land (1995); Palestinian Christians: Religion, Politics and Society in the Holy Land (1999); Christians and Muslims in the Commonwealth (2001); Eastern Christianity (2002); World Christianity: Dialogues, Politics and Theology (2002).

Table of Contents

Anthony O’Mahony, The Christian Communities, religion, politics and church-state relations in Jerusalem: an Historical survey
 
Sotiris Roussos, The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and Community of Jerusalem: Church, State and Communal Identity
 
Anthony O’Mahony, The Latins of the East: The Vatican, Jerusalem and the Palestinian Christians
 
Ara Sanjian, The Armenian Church and Community in Jerusalem
 
John Watson, Egypt and the Holy Land: The Coptic Church and Community in Jerusalem
 
Kirstin Stoffregen Pedersen, Pilgrims and Ascetics from Africa: The Ethiopian Church and Community in Jerusalem
 
Thomas Hummel, Between Eastern and Western Christendom: The Anglican Presence in Jerusalem
 
Inger-Marie Okkenhaug, Culture and Civilization: Anglican Missionary Women in Palestine.

Editorial Reviews

This well-conceived collection of eight essays on various aspects of Christian history and communal life in Jerusalem and Israel is a valuable contribution to a wider understanding of a very complex and problematic political context…I would have no hesitation in recommending the book to anyone interested in Eastern Christianity and the Holy Land. It contains a wealth of information that is not, to my knowledge, to be found in any other study currently available.” –Robert B. Betts, University of Balamand for The Catholic Historical Review, Washington, D. C.

The Catholic Historical Review - Robert B. Betts

“This well-conceived collection of eight essays on various aspects of Christian history and communal life in Jerusalem and Israel is a valuable contribution to a wider understanding of a very complex and problematic political context…I would have no hesitation in recommending the book to anyone interested in Eastern Christianity and the Holy Land. It contains a wealth of information that is not, to my knowledge, to be found in any other study currently available.” –Robert B. Betts, University of Balamand for The Catholic Historical Review, Washington, D. C.

— Robert B. Betts

The Catholic Historical Review