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Orthodox Choreographies: Boundaries, Borders and Materiality in Jerusalem's Old City

Lookup NU author(s): Dr George TsourousORCiD

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Abstract

The book offers a comprehensive anthropological study of lived Christianity in Jerusalem’s Old City, with a special focus on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre or the Church of the Anastasis. Based on in-depth ethnographic fieldwork, the study explores the experiences of the Rum Orthodox community, examining their internal dynamics and relationships with other Christian groups. Within the Church of the Anastasis, complex interplays emerge, as fragile legal agreements intermingle with ethnic and theological considerations, resulting in a complex reality of shared spaces and coexistence. A materialist lens is employed to study these dynamics, suggesting that the material aspects of religious practices play a crucial role in shaping borders and influencing perceptions of similarities and differences across them. Outside the Church's confines, in the Old City of Jerusalem, lay Christians, especially the local Palestinian Orthodox, engage in 'border-crossing practices', which often deviate from the Orthodox Church's approved practice. These practices reflect the flexible strategies local Christians adopt in their everyday lives in Israel, challenging established norms and boundaries. By capturing these dynamics, the book provides valuable insights into shared sacred spaces and offers a significant contribution to debates in the anthropology of Christianity and its material culture.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Tsourous G

Publication type: Authored Book

Publication status: In Press

Series Title: Gorgias Eastern Christian Studies

Year: 2024

Volume: 69

Number of Pages: 300

Acceptance date: 14/02/2024

Publisher: Gorgias Press LLC

Place Published: Piscataway, New Jersey

Library holdings: Search Newcastle University Library for this item

ISBN: 9781463246259


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