18/01/2026
Following God's Fragrance: University studies as hearing God's logoi
As Orthodox Christians it is perhaps too easy to make a divide between our spiritual life and our academic studies. But there is a way of study that is encounter with the living word of God, speaking to us within and through creation. This is the rhema or spoken word mentioned in Hebrews 1.3: 'The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word (rhemati)’. Our studies then operate as an icon does in our liturgical life. In this talk and discussion, the professional iconographer Aidan Hart will look at how the Church Fathers say this intermediate stage, called ’natural theology’, is the necessary precursor to mystical theology, or union with God.
Aidan has been a professional liturgical artist for forty years, with works in over twenty-five countries of the world, including in the collections of King Charles III, Popes, and Patriarchs. He is also an essayist, speaker and author, including ‘Beauty Spirit Matter’. He is a Research Associate of the Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies, Cambridge, and a Fellow of Temenos Academy.
Location: Seminar Room C, 17 Mill Lane
Time: Friday February 6, 5:30pm-7:00pm
