Dr Taras Khomych

  I am a Senior Lecturer in Theology at Liverpool Hope University. I am also a priest of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London and the Chair of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) Liverpool Branch. 

  After the fall of communism, I began my theological education in Ukraine and entered the Lviv Theological Academy (later on transformed into the Ukrainian Catholic University) at the moment when the theological tradition had just been revived. Shortly thereafter, I continued my studies at the Faculty of Theology at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium), where I obtained my Master in Religious Studies as well as my Master and Doctoral Degree in Theology. 

  My research interests lie mostly in early Christian literature, the writings of the Apostolic Fathers (1st & 2nd centuries) in particular, as well as later Patristic writings of the Byzantine period, including Old Slavonic transmission of early Christian literature. Within this field I focus on theological controversies (esp. Christology), liturgical practices (especially baptism, Eucharist, prayer), discipline (community formation, hierarchy, church orders), textual transmission, etc. My interest in Christian origins and later Byzantine period is not limited to history alone, since I consider the encounter with the past as an excellent resource and opportunity for theological reflections today. In view of this, I deal also with more recent Eastern Christian theological trends (especially those from the 20th century) and contemporary ecumenical issues (including Catholic-Orthodox relations).

  My engagement in ecumenical relations include regular participation in international colloquia, organising ecumenical prayer services, engagement in the work of the Churches Together in Merseyside and the Faith Leaders in Merseyside Meetings. In January 2021 I was appointed a member of the International Commission for Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Disciples of Christ and in August 2022 - an Acting Ecumenical Officer and Trustee of the Eparchy of the Holy Family of London. Since the beginning of russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine I am increasingly involved in the life of Ukrainian community in Merseyside and beyond. Our AUGB team was a driving force behind Liverpool's Ukrainian Eurovision reach, which was kindly supported by Liverpool Hope University.