The panel explores an under-researched area of Eastern Orthodox theology. It explores (1) the way in which Orthodox theology, spirituality and its practices of faith are embedded in literature; (2) the importance of literature for conveying the Orthodox message to the world; (3) literature as locus theologicus; (4) the role of language in Orthodox theology and literature; (5) the interaction between political thought and Orthodox theology in modern and contemporary literature; (6) the place of poetry in Orthodox spiritual life (liturgical hymns, spiritual biographies, etc.).Session 1Chair: Viorel Coman (KU Leuven) Speakers:Olga Lossky-Laham (Independent scholar), What Could Be an Orthodox Specificity in the Literary Creation TodayIoan Alexandru Tofan (Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi / Institute for the Study of Religions, Romanian Academy), Eastern Christianity in Literature: Translation and QuotationCyril Chilson (Blackfriars Hall, Oxford), ’My strength is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Cor. 12:9): Towards an Eastern Orthodox Reading of DostoevskyPetre Maican (Institute of Eastern Christian Studies, Nijmegen), Are Orthodox Readings Dostoevsky’s Ethics Too Optimistic?Lance Green (University of St Andrews), Death’s Dual Nature in Sergius Bulgakov and Eugene Vodalazkin’s LaurusRobert Saler (Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis), Father Seraphim Rose as Literary Figure: Contexts and InfluenceSession 2Chair:Petre Maican (Institute of Eastern Christian Studies, Nijmegen)Speakers:Răzvan Porumb (The Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies, Cambridge), Literature and Faith as Resistance and Dissidence against Totalitarian Order in N. Steinhardt Viorel Coman (KU Leuven), Human Beings Between Good and Evil in Svetlana Alexievich’s Second-hand Time: The Last of the Soviets James McFetridge Wilson (University of Cambridge), Redeeming Disenchantment: Orthodox Exegetical Practices and Postcritical ReadingT. Parker Haratine (University of St Andrews), The Ancestral Sin Is Not Pelagian: A Partial DefenseAna-Magdalena Petraru (Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi), Eastern Orthodox Theology and Literature in the Theological English ClassroomGuram Lursmanashvili (Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani University), Theology of Vepkhistkaosani (The Knight in the Panther’s Skin)