The 18^th International Congress of Christian Archaeology

The 18^th International Congress of Christian Archaeology centered around the theme Early Christianity between Liturgical Practice and Everyday Life  is set to fficially open at the SASA Grand Hall, on Monday, 2 September, at 9 a.m. This event presents a unique opportunity to bring together world-class researchers of early Christianity to Serbia, who will exchange their knowledge and experience with their Serbian counterparts, while also serving as an exceptional platform for promoting cultural, scientific, and spiritual values in Serbia. It should be mentioned that the Congress will also highlight the imperative need to protect Christian heritage, especially in Kosovo.

 

The organizer of the 18^th Congress is the Archaeological Institute, whose candidature was unanimously accepted at the last XVII Congress of Christian Archaeology in Utrecht, the Netherlands, in 2018. This selection underscores the significant impact and reach of Serbian archaeology, as well as the rich monumental heritage preserved and presented within its borders.

The theme Early Christianity between Liturgical Practice and Everyday Life includes the study of numerous aspects of early Christian practices. Topics include the organization of the Church, liturgical practices, sacred architecture, and liturgical objects. It comprises the study of other phenomena such as the first Christians’ way of organizing in cities and rural areas, particularly along the Limes, and examine the dynamics between Christians and pagans, persecutors and martyrs encompassing profound changes prompted by numerous migrations. Additionally, the proposed theme encompasses the study of the levels of Christianization across different regions, the social status of Christians, their artistic and economic development, as well as their everyday lives and burial customs. The theme is rather broad allowing various multidisciplinary approaches to numerous relevant issues to better understand early-Christian societies.

The Congress will be attended by 200 experts who will not only convene in Belgrade where the Congress takes place, but also visit early Christian sites across Serbia, including Sirmium, Romuliana, Naisus and Justiniana Prima.

A live stream of the event is available at  LIVE STREAMING