James C. Skedros is the Michael G. and Anastasia Cantonis Professor of Byzantine Studies and Professor of Early Christianity at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Brookline, MA, where from 1998 to 2002 he served as Acting Dean of Holy Cross. A graduate of Holy Cross, Dr. Skedros received his Th.D. from Harvard Divinity School in the History of Christianity. From 1996 to 1998 he was Assistant Professor of Orthodox Studies at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. His research areas include popular religious practices in Late Antiquity and Byzantium, history of the Byzantine church, Byzantine hagiography, pilgrimage, and Christian and Muslim relations. As a Fulbright Scholar, he has conducted field and archaeological research in Thessaloniki, Greece related to the veneration of St. Demetrios. He has served as co-chair for the Eastern Orthodox Studies Group of the American Academy of Religion as well as secretary for the Orthodox Theological Society in America. His publications include, "Festivals, Shrines, and the ‘Undistinguished Mob'" in Byzantine Christianity. A People's History of Christianity (2006) "The Heroikos and Popular Christianity in the Third Century," in Philostratus's Heroikos: Religion and Cultural Identity in the Third Century C.E. (2004), "The Cappadocian Fathers on the Veneration of the Martyrs" in Studia Patristica (2001), and St. Demetrios of Thessaloniki: Civic Patron and Divine Protector (1999).
Source: http://www.hchc.edu/academics/holycross_faculty/skedros/
Through his courses and seminars, Fr. Thomas FitzGerald introduces his students to the personalities, documents and issues of Church History and Historical Theology, and relates these to contemporary issues. In his teaching, research, and writings, he has a particular interest in the issues of division and reconciliation which are reflected especially in the councils of the Church as well as in ecumenical dialogues. His recent book, The Ecumenical Movement: An Introductory History, addresses many of these issues. His book The Orthodox Church is the first scholarly study of the development of Orthodox Christianity in the United States. Having also lectured in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Fr. Thomas brings to his teaching the experience of participation in theological conferences in over thirty countries. He has also co-led study-tours to Greece, Turkey and the Middle East.
Active in Inter-Orthodox consultations and ecumenical dialogues, Fr. Thomas is the chairperson of the Ecumenical Commission of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America. He is the executive secretary and a member of the Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation in North America, and a member of the Faith and Order Commission of the National Council of Churches. He represented the Ecumenical Patriarchate as the senior Orthodox theologian at the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Switzerland between 1994-1999. He continues to represent the Ecumenical Patriarchate at ecumenical dialogues and interfaith discussions. He also serves as the editor of The Greek Orthodox Theological Review.
Fr. Thomas frequently is invited to lead retreats for Orthodox parishes and dioceses as well as for ecumenical gatherings. His book, Happy in the Lord: The Beatitudes for Everyday, co-authored with his wife, Dr. Kyriaki FitzGerald, serves as an introduction to Orthodox spirituality.
The students of Holy Cross selected him for the award for "Excellence in Teaching" in 2000. He has also received 1994 the Alumni Citation from the Alumni Association.
- See more at: http://www.hchc.edu/academics/holycross_faculty/fitzgerald/#sthash