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Containing over 700 articles, this Dictionary allows the reader to explore Eastern Christian civilization in its cultural and religious riches. The articles are written by an international team of fifty contributors, including leading historians, theologians, linguists, philosophers, musicians and scholars of liturgy and iconography.
The Dictionary covers the major living traditions of Eastern Christianity and some which are less familiar. It offers balanced treatment of the Byzantine traditions (Greek, Slav, Romanian and Georgian), and the Oriental traditions (Armenian, Assyrian, Coptic, Ethiopian, Syrian, Indian), taking into account of Orthodox, Catholic and Reformed communities. Both communities in their original homelands and the diaspora, exile and convert communities worldwide are considered. The articles present Eastern traditions not simply in terms of Western Christian interests and a Western view of Christian history, but in terms that Eastern Christians will recognise.
Readers will be able to use the Dictionary as a basic source of information about the different Eastern Christian churches, and to locate information that they would have difficulty finding elsewhere. The longer articles put terms, concepts, people and events into context. They offer ways of exploring unfamiliar connections and of making useful comparisons. Cross-references lead the reader to related topics and background issues. A comprehensive index lists every important name and topic that appears in the Dictionary and helps the reader navigate the volume.
