About the Mother Maria Skobtsova course
We often think that mysticism is a thing of the past, that the great mystics like Francis of Assisi, Julian of Norwich or Teresa of Avila are resigned to times long gone, and that mysticism died in the Reformations, the Enlightenment, or the Quietist Controversy. However, there are important mystical elements of all major world religions today including Christianity, and many 20th- and 21st-century figures exemplify mysticism.
This series looks at three prominent figures who have been described as modern or postmodern mystics: Mother Maria Skobtsova; Howard Thurman and Annie Dillard.
Each session is led by an expert on the figure discussed and will comprise of a 55-minute lecture, a 25-minute discussion of a set text (sent out two weeks prior to the session), and a 25-minute question and answer session. To book all three sessions (10, 17 and 24 May) for just £24, select the ticket for course #2745 via the link on the blue booking button.
Our first session looks at the Russian Orthodox theologian, Mother Maria Skobtsova (1891-1945), part of the Parisian Russian émigré community who had a deep interest in social action, being part of the Resistance during the Second World War. Mother Maria was murdered in the Holocaust at Ravensbrück Concentration Camp. Mother Maria’s theology balances the love of neighbour and the love of God and centralises the theme of sacrifice. Within this is a quest to find the image of God in other human beings which was referred to as the ‘mysticism of human communion.’
About the Tutor
James Roberts is in the final stages of his DPhil at the University of Oxford in which he is studying Skobtsova. This study opened up the world of Jewish-Christian encounter to James, and he is now the Senior Programme Manager at the Council of Christians and Jews, where he is lead on education for Christian clergy.
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