3 | Michael Habashi - Pope Shenouda III & Coptic Ecumenical Dialogue

Welcome to the Divinity Divulged podcast! The first podcast series from the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge. In each episode we’ll be taking a look at one of the fascinating research projects happening within the Faculty through conversations with the researcher and an expert guest working in their field. Our discussions are aimed at all of those studying or exploring religious studies across all levels, and you can find details on how this episode relates to A Level and Scottish Highers Specifications as well as a glossary below. In this episode we are joined by Michael Habashi, PhD student here in the Faculty of Divinity at Cambridge, to talk through Michael’s PhD work which centres dialogues between the Coptic Orthodox Church and those around it, the Eastern Orthodox, Catholic and Anglican Churches with a particular focus on the immense legacy of Pope Shenouda III. Alongside us for this one is Dr Ralph Lee, Research Associate at the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies in Cambridge.   Here, Michael divulges to us notions of global communions, ‘Oriental’ orthodoxy, church schisms and the influence of Alexandra and St Mark.   We dearly hope you enjoy!   Researcher: Michael Habashi Expert Guest: Dr Ralph Lee Host: Dr Joseph Powell   Glossary Apollinarianism – A theory about the nature of Chris which suggests he had a human body and a human soul but no human rational mind, this instead being replaced by the Divine Logos or ‘word.     Arab Invasion/Conquests – A series of military conquests led by Arab leaders which stretched from the Arabian peninsula across northern Egypt and North Africa to modern day Spain in the west and to central Asia in the East.   Arianism – A theory about the nature of Christ which suggests that Christ did not always exist but was created by God the Father before time commenced and is therefore not co-existent with God the Father.   Christological – The branch of Christian theology that engages with the nature of Jesus Christ and his attributes.   Church Missionary Society – A British Anglican organisation originally formed in 1799 which in the 19th century dispatched missionary groups globally, primarily to areas with a British colonial presence including Egypt and North Africa. Now today known as the Church Mission Society.   Filioque– Latin phrase literally meaning ‘and from the Son’. The Filioque represents disagreement between Eastern and Western churches, with Western thought often suggesting that the spirit comes from the Father and the Son whereas Eastern thought often sees both the Son and the Holy Spirit as coming from the Father.   Hellenised – To make or to have been made Greek, often culturally, spirituality or linguistically.   Living in Faith and Love Documents – Statements from the Church of England surrounding sexuality, gender identity, relationships and marriage.   Nestorianism – A theory about the nature of Christ which suggests Christ had two wholly distinct natures, one fully human and one fully divine which were united in the one person of Jesus. Nestorianism also rejects the label of ‘God-bearer’ as applied to Mary believing that it obscures the human nature of Christ.   Papal Bull – An official public decree from the Pope   Primacy of Peter – The notion that the Apostle Peter was preeminent and distinguished amongst the group of 12 Apostles.   A Level Specifications –   AQA   2B Christianity   Sources of wisdom and authority God The dialogue between Christianity and philosophy   Pearson Edexcel   Paper 4, Option 4B: Christianity   Religious beliefs, values and teachings Sources of wisdom and authority   OCR   Content of Developments in Christian thought   The person of Jesus Christ   Scottish Highers SQA   Christianity   Beliefs