Our History
The House of St Gregory & St Macrina was founded in 1959 by Dr Nicolas Zernov, then Spalding Lecturer in Eastern Orthodox Studies in the University of Oxford, as an ecumenical centre for Christians from East and West, with the aim of promoting a greater understanding between these two traditions. The House is home to eighteen students and scholars from different backgrounds who are interested in Eastern Christianity.
Accommodation
The House accommodates 18 graduate and undergraduate students. Providing both a comfortable home and an intellectually stimulating environment, it brings together people of different religious background in the hope of greater understanding between traditions. A small guest room is available throughout the year. More rooms are available to students and visiting scholars for short lets during the summer vacation. For enquiries about accommodation, please contact the warden.
The Library
The Library in the House of St Gregory and St Macrina constitutes an important collection of books and periodicals on the history, doctrine and worship of the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Churches. It has a particular strength in the fields of Patristics, Byzantine and Syriac studies. The core is the collection of Rev. Derwas Chitty (1901-1971). Fr. Derwas is best known as the author of The Desert a City, the classic study of Egyptian and Palestinian monasticism. The collection reflects his interests in early monasticism, the Desert Fathers and early Palestine.
Visiting
The Library continues to acquire editions of Early Christian texts in their original languages including Armenian, Syriac and Greek. Some translations and relevant reference books are also purchased. Held with the House library is the collection of books and periodicals relating to Eastern Orthodox Christianity belonging to the Fellowship of St Alban and St Sergius. This contains much material that cannot be found elsewhere in Britain.
Opening Hours:
By appointment with the warden.