Fellowship Winner – Zachary Oliver

We are delighted to announce that Zachary Oliver (DPhil Theology), who was our MCR President in the academic year 2024-25, has won the Orthodox Christian Studies NEH Dissertation Completion Fellowship, which is awarded by the Orthodox Christian Studies Centre at Fordham University, New York.

This fellowship is intended to support a final-year doctoral student to write up a dissertation on any area of the history, thought, or culture of Orthodox Christian studies. Fortunately for Blackfriars, the award does not require Zac to transfer to Fordham, which means that we still have the pleasure of his company!

Zac’s project focuses upon St Gregory of Nazianzus’ concept of philosophy. It argues that his vision of the ‘philosophic life’ is built upon a series of philosophical practices, ranging from holy tears to the meditation upon death and the contemplation of nature.

Many, many congratulations to Zac – we are so pleased that his hard work and commitment has been rewarded, and that his scholarly excellence has been recognised. We wish him every success as he completes his thesis.