Paschalis Gkortsilas
College: College of Humanities
Discipline: Theology and Religion
Department: Theology and Religion
Research Centre/Unit: Reception of Christian and Jewish traditions
My research primarily focuses on the history and theology of Christianity in late antiquity. I am also interested in the history of Christian thought in general and its interaction with different philosophical and religious traditions.
Originally from Thessaloniki in northern Greece, I took a BA in Theology with first class honours in 2006 and an MA in Ecclesiastical History and History of Doctrine in 2009 from Aristotle's University of Thessaloniki. My MA thesis was entitled "The Song of Songs in Origen's hermeneutics" and was awarded with the highest distinction. I also studied for three years at Holy Cross School of Theology in MA, USA (2004-2006, 2007-2008), where I was also able to register for courses at different universities, such as Harvard University, Boston College and Boston University.
After finishing my MA I spent three years as a tenured high school religion teacher in Malia, Crete. I am currently studying at the University of Exeter for my AHRC-funded MPhil/PhD in Theology and Religion (under the theme of Identities and Beliefs). My research investigates the reception of Hellenism and ancient Greek philosophy in the writings of John Chrystostom.
