ANAMED Library Community Lectures / May Christian Sacred Space in Early Islamic Palestine: Resilience and Transformation within Local Christian Communities

Speaker: Sofia Thatharopoulou, Ph.D., Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Date & Time: 07 May 2025, Wednesday, 18:00
Location: ANAMED Library

This project explores the development of Christian religious architecture in the provinces of Palestine and Arabia during the early Islamic period (seventh–ninth century). The study focuses on newly-founded churches as well as religious complexes of the early Byzantine period that remained active after the Arab conquest. Tracing the evolution of Christian sacred space from the seventh century onward, it examines how resilient strategies and social transformation within Christian communities were reflected in their sacred built environment.

Sofia Thatharopoulou has a PhD in Byzantine archaeology. She has participated in numerous excavations and was also an Erasmus intern at Koç University in spring 2024.