Disability in the Greek Patristic Tradition

Petre Maican is associate researcher at The Institute for Eastern Christian Studies of Radboud University (The Netherlands).

• Introduction, Petre MaicanChapter 1: Irenaeus of Lyons and Disability, Isaac T. SoonChapter 2: Disability in Origen: Greek Philosophy, Saint Paul, and the Theology of the Cross, Ilaria L.E. RamelliChapter 3: The Cappadocian Fathers on Human Fragility and the Church’s Response, John A. McGuckinChapter 4: Disability in the Writings of Gregory Nazianzen, Brian J. MatzChapter 5: Gregory of Nyssa, Richard CrossChapter 6: Disability in the Thought of John Chrysostom, Wendy MayerChapter 7: Liberating Human Nature From Corruptibility: Maximus the Confessor and the Spiritual Model of Disability, Marius PortaruChapter 8: John of Damascus, Scott Ables

This excellent volume is a landmark in patristic disability studies. With intellectual clarity and theological depth, it refuses both the nostalgic idealization of the Church Fathers and the anachronistic imposition of modern frameworks. Instead, it invites a critical yet creative engagement with the Greek patristic tradition, illuminating how these ancient voices can challenge, trouble, and inspire contemporary theologies of disability. It is a rich, courageous, and necessary contribution.