@sarahparkhouse
Researcher in early Christianity, (late) antiquity, gods & rituals, landscape & place, gospel literature, martyrs, gnostics, Coptic Egypt, and Roman amphitheatres. https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/persons/sarah.parkhouse
Now exhibiting in the Samuel Alexander Glass Corridor: Encountering Biblical Bodies – Sarah Lightman’s Biblical Women
📅 Until 26 March 2026
📍 Samuel Alexander Glass Corridor
Join us for a research café with the artist Sarah Lightman on 16 March: https://ow.ly/FFTl50YotOl
My musings on the extent to which the idea that Perpetua & co were executed at Carthage stems from Christian/colonial fantasies are finally out in JECS. muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/articl...
Thanks! and looking forward to seeing you next week!
Thank you!
Papyrus amulet with an illustration of a crocodile.
Papyrus fragment of the Gospel of John.
We're excited to be collaborating with the Harry Ransom Center on their next exhibition Lives and Literacy in Ancient Egypt.
The exhibition brings to life the voices of Greco-Roman Egyptians through rare papyrus manuscripts rarely seen by the public. Opening 11 April in Austin, Texas.
Very much looking forward to this!
Photo from the student and staff Religion and Theology and Liberal Arts pizza party that shows people standing, drinking, chatting, and eating pizza.
Fun to see this as the first NASSCAL First Friday after joining the board!
Please share widely! 3-year Postdoc in Early Christian Studies. Deadline: 8 March. Let me know if you have any questions or want to nominate a colleague.
Just published my first piece for the Conversation! It’s on Thecla and her reception within Christianity.
theconversation.com/thecla-the-b...
So many of my recent pieces for National Geographic would have suffered were it not for my ability to link to the amazing resources supplied by @nasscal.bsky.social. If you are interested in early Christian literature you must check out this invaluable site.
www.nasscal.com
I will be doing a live interview via Zoom Dec. 22 on apocryphal Christmas traditions. Join in and ask me some skill-testing questions! See the image and link below for information.
A bright orange journal cover with 'Essays in Late Long antiquity' written in blue and cream text on a blue slim banner to the left, with text to the right reading 'An open Access journal in the field of first millennium studies and the broader Afro-Eurasian region, encouraging interdisciplinary and superregional approaches.'
NEW FOR 2026 | Essays in Long Late Antiquity
A new Open Access journal in first millennium studies, enticing interdisciplinary and superregional approaches to research in the second to the ninth centuries & broader Afro-Eurasian region: bit.ly/4f7BXZC @calthalas.bsky.social @sihonglin.bsky.social
The second is earmarked for research on ancient Christian ascetic and monastic literature from its emergence to the 6th century CE.
www.jobbnorge.no/en/available...
Two fully paid PhD positions at Lund University! One in Hebrew Bible and the other in Jewish studies, focus late antiquity. Gorgeous location and gorgeous colleagues. Don't sleep on this! (Set filter to HT to access these two in particular.)
lunduniversity.lu.se/vacancies
Check out Tony's list, and then check out these titles related to Christian Apocrypha you won't see at SBL 2025 (because I self-publish them and won't be there).
Greek reader editions for 1st Apocryphal Apocalypse of John: amzn.to/4pc0guC & Acts of Pilate: amzn.to/4oPWbge
So pleased these things are recorded!
Durham Uni, 2–5 July 2026 From c. 500-1000, Christian scriptures were produced and used in a diverse range of forms and contexts. A manuscript may include a single biblical text (the psalter, a gospel), a collection of texts (the Hexateuch, the gospels), or, rarely, a complete “New Testament” or “Bible” in the modern sense. The distinctiveness of a manuscript is shown by content and textual affiliation, its palaeographical and codicological characteristics, and its paratextual features – from illustrations of biblical narratives, author portraits, and illuminated lettering to canon tables, capitula, prefatory materials, and glosses. Once in circulation, a manuscript’s contexts of use may also vary. Different uses correspond to different users with distinct and perhaps conflicting priorities/goals. Production and use(s) may occur at the same site or at far distant times and places. This conference aims to explore topics related to both the physical presentation and the use of scriptural manuscripts produced in the Early Medieval period (c. 500–1000 CE). We welcome paper proposals from scholars working in all areas of this field, including PhD students. Whatever the specific topic, priority may be given to papers that also relate it to the wider focus of the conference on both “form” (or “production”) and “use”. We hope to be able to cover presenters’ full conference costs with the exception of travel. Titles and Abstracts of proposed papers should be submitted to Lauren Randall (lauren.m.randall@durham.ac.uk), copied to Francis Watson (francis.watson@durham.ac.uk), by Monday 17 November. Abstracts should not exceed 150 words. Papers should be 25 minutes, allowing 20 minute discussion. There will be keynote papers/presentations. Please contact us if you have any questions! This event forms part of our sub-project “Text, Format, and Reader”, focused on Codex Amiatinus and funded by the Glasgow-based “Paratexts Seeking Understanding” project (Templeton Religion Trust)
CFP: “Shaping the Word: the Form and Use of Biblical Manuscripts in the Early Medieval West” at Durham University in July 2026. We are interested in a wide range of papers exploring ways in which scriptural texts (produced roughly c. 500-1000) were presented and used.
Session Information for "Inventing Christian Martyrdom: A Retrospective on the Work of Elizabeth Castelli" Saturday, Nov. 22 9-11:30am 111 Hynes Convention Center (Plaza Level) Panelists: Tina Shepardson, UT-Knoxville Julia Nations-Quirox, Yale Paul Middleton, Chester Ellen Muehlberger, UMichigan Respondent: Elizabeth A. Castelli, Barnard
our "signature" session this year is a celebration of the work of elizabeth a. castelli. we're lucky to get some stellar panelists *and* prof. castelli as a respondent.
we're sending a special invite to our late ancient besties at NAPS; please join us for all our panels, but this one's for you!
The first two books of our 'Coptic Gospels & Associated Texts' series with @universitypress.cambridge.org are now available to read online. The series provides thematic introductions & new translations to non-canonical gospels. www.cambridge.org/core/series/...
Announcing the launch of the open-access Journal of Christian Apocryphal Literature (JCAL). Sign up if you are interested in being a contributor or reviewer! journals.aperio.press/jcal/submiss...
3 more weeks to apply for this... please continue to share widely.
Religions and Theology Research Seminar Poster outlining upcoming research seminars: 6th October, Maryanne Saunders; 20th October, Erica Baffelli; 10th November, Meghan Rose Donnelly; 24th November, Raj Patta; and 8th December, Alex Samely.
I will be teaching a Coptic intro course starting 10/27 with The Religion Department. Come for some accessible + fun philology!
All materials authored by me and based on my 12+ years of daily reading and expertise. DM for any questions.
Sign-up here: www.religiondepartment.com/learning-cop...
Hi Carrie, thanks for the question! Yes, the University sponsors visas... I'll DM you with further info.
@thejohnrylands.bsky.social @uomreligion.bsky.social @uomsalc.bsky.social
We are looking for a one-year full-time Research Associate to work on Coptic manuscripts in Manchester as part of a wonderful project that connects mss with local communities. Requires strong skills in Coptic, English, & Arabic. Deadline 31/10. Please share! www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Fascinating!
How exciting! Congratulations!!