Very Rev. Professor Doru Costache (Principal and Academic Dean)

Education:

  • PhD candidate in Studies in Religion (University of Sydney, 2021-)
  • Doctor of Theology (University of Bucharest, 2000)
  • Bachelor of Theology (University of Bucharest, 1993)

Academic experience:

  • Supervisor for Higher Degrees by Research, Australian University College of Divinity (since 2008)
  • Principal of Nisibis Assyrian Theological College (2026-)
  • Academic Dean of Nisibis Assyrian Theological College (2025-), where he teaches since 2020
  • Professor of Theology and Spirituality, Australian University College of Divinity (classification awarded in 2025), teaching for Nisibis Assyrian Theological College and St Cyril’s Coptic Orthodox Theological College
  • Associate Professor of Theology, Sydney College of Divinity (2021-2025), teaching for Nisibis Assyrian Theological College and St Cyril’s Coptic Orthodox Theological College
  • Senior Lecturer of Theology, Sydney College of Divinity (2010-2021), teaching for St Cyril’s Coptic Orthodox Theological College and St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College
  • Lecturer of Theology, Sydney College of Divinity (2005-2010), teaching for St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College
  • Assistant Lecturer of Systematic Theology, Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Bucharest (1995-2004)
  • Lecturer of Theology and Patristics, International Academy for the Study of the History of Religions and Culture, Bucharest (2001-2003)
  • Visiting Lecturer of Fundamental Theology, Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Craiova, (2002)

Publications:

His full list of publications is available here.

Books

  • Costache, D. Nature Contemplation in Clement of Alexandria: Elements of the Method. London and New York: Routledge, 2025.
  • Costache, D., and G. F. Lewis. A New Copernican Turn: Contemporary Cosmology, the Self, and Orthodox Science-Engaged Theology. London and New York: Routledge, 2024.
  • Costache, D. Humankind and the Cosmos: Early Christian Representations. Leiden and Boston: Brill, 2021.
  • Neil, B., D. Costache, and K. Wagner. Dreams, Virtue and Divine Knowledge in Early Christian Egypt. Cambridge University Press, 2019.
  • Ică, I., A. Kalomiros, A. Kuraev, and D. Costache. Sfinții Părinți despre Originile și Destinul Cosmosului și Omului. Sibiu: Deisis, 2003.
  • Popescu, D., and D. Costache. Introducere in Dogmatica Ortodoxa: Teme ale Credintei Crestine in Perspectiva Comparata. Bucharest: Libra, 1997.

Edited volumes

  • Costache, D. Guest editor of a special issue of De Medio Aevo 13:2 (2024), monographic theme: Scientific Interests and Technological Innovation in Byzantium: Interdisciplinary Perspectives.
  • Costache, D., and D. Speed (eds). A Celebration of Ut unum sint: The 25th Anniversary. Second edition, revised and expanded. Sydney: NSW Ecumenical Council’s Theological Reflection Commission, 2022. ISBN 9780645456301.
  • Costache, D., and D. Speed (eds). A Celebration of Ut unum sint: The 25th Anniversary. Sydney: NSW Ecumenical Council’s Theological Reflection Commission, 2020.
  • Costache, D., and M. Baghos (eds). John Chrysostom: Past, Present, Future. Sydney: AIOCS Press, 2017. ISBN (10) 0646975374. ISBN (13) 9780646975375.
  • Costache, D., D. Cronshaw, and J. Harrison (eds). Well-being, Personal Wholeness and the Social Fabric. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2017. ISBN (13) 9781443898584. ISBN (10) 1443898589.
  • Costache, D., P. Kariatlis, and M. Baghos (eds). Alexandrian Legacy: A Critical Appraisal. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2015. ISBN (10) 1443880019. ISBN (13) 9781443880015.
  • Costache, D. and P. Kariatlis (eds). Cappadocian Legacy: A Critical Appraisal. Sydney: St Andrew’s Orthodox Press, 2013. ISBN 9780977597499.
  • Stavinschi, M., and D. Costache (eds). Noua Reprezentare a Lumii: Studii Interdisciplinare si Transdisciplinare, Vol. 4. Bucharest: XXI Eonul dogmatic, 2005.
  • Stavinschi, M., and D. Costache (eds). Noua Reprezentare a Lumii: Studii Interdisciplinare, Vol. 3. Bucharest: XXI Eonul dogmatic, 2004.
  • Stavinschi, M., and D. Costache (eds). Noua Reprezentare a Lumii: Studii Interdisciplinare, Vol. 2. Bucharest: XXI Eonul dogmatic, 2004.
  • Stavinschi, M., D. Costache, and A. Lemeni (eds). Noua Reprezentare a Lumii: Studii Interdisciplinare, Vol. 1. Bucharest: XXI Eonul dogmatic, 2002.
  • Popescu, D., D. Costache et al. (eds). Știință și Teologie: Preliminarii pentru Dialog. Bucharest: XXI Eonul dogmatic, 2001. ISBN 9738514606.

Journal articles (selection)

  • Costache, D. ‘Orthodox Theological Anthropology, the Quest for Perfection, and Technological Innovation.’ Θεολογία (forthcoming).
  • Nicolaidis, E., and D. Costache. ‘Contemporary Orthodox Views of Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Online Resources.’ Christian Perspectives on Science and Technology 4 (2025): 145-180.
  • Costache, D. ‘Consciousness in the Cosmos: From René Descartes to David Bohm’s Revolution.’ Journal of Consciousness Studies 32:5-6 (2025) 155-179.
  • Costache, D. ‘A Note on the Codex Angus and Its Use.’ The Journal of Ecclesiastical History 6:4 (2025): 707-722.
  • Costache, D. ‘Astral Iconography and the Byzantine Study of the Heavens.’ De Medio Aevo 13:2 (2024): 321-351.
  • de Grijs, R., and D. Costache. ‘The Cosmology of David Bohm: Scientific and Theological Significance.’ Theology and Science 22:1 (2024) 204-220.
  • Costache, D. ‘Patristic and Neopatristic Antecedents of Scientifically Engaged Theology.’ St Vladimir’s Theological Quarterly 67:1-2 (2023): 115-145.
  • Costache, D. ‘Affirming Creation’s Goodness in a Time of Pandemic: Patristic Insights.’ Colloquium 54:2 (2022): 9-32.
  • Costache, D. ‘A Note on Evagrius’ Cosmological and Metaphysical Statements.’ The Journal of Theological Studies 71:2 (2020): 718-730.

Book chapters (selection)

  • de Grijs, R., and D. Costache. ‘Byzantine Apocalypse Anxiety: Written in the Heavens.’ In: Duane Hamacher and Richard Wilman (eds). Cosmic Apocalypse (Springer Nature, forthcoming).
  • Costache, D. ‘The Obvious and the Inconspicuous Sides of Patristic and Byzantine Studies under the Southern Cross.’ In: Carole M. Cusack et al. (eds). Antipodes of the Soul: Religion and the Study of Religion in Australia and New Zealand. Adelaide: ATF Press, 2026 (forthcoming).
  • Costache, D. ‘Orthodox Christian Astrotheology.’ In: Carolina A. Sanz de la Fuente et al. (eds). A Handbook on Astrobiology, Astrotheology, and Astroanthropology. Adelaide: ATF Press, 2026 (forthcoming).
  • Costache, D. ‘Pneumatology.’ In: Bronwen Neil and Andrew Mellas (eds). The Cambridge Companion to the Byzantine Church. Cambridge University Press, 2026: 198-215 (forthcoming).
  • Costache, D. ‘Transitions in Patristic Cosmology: From Cosmophobia to Universe-(Re)Making’ Reprint, with new pagination, in a volume of the contribution originally published in Religions (15:6, 2024), 2025, https://www.mdpi.com/books/reprint/12076-patristics, 43-56.
  • Costache, D. ‘Abraham, the Contemplation of Nature, and Divine Vision in Clement of Alexandria.’ In: N. Tanase, M. Portaru, and D. Lemeni (eds). Knowing God in Light: Theophany and Language. Forum Orthodoxe Theologie 23. Vienna: LIT Verlag, 2024: 127-144.
  • Costache, D. ‘Athanasius on Deacons and the Diaconate.’ In: B. J. Koet, E. Murphy, and E. Ryökäs (eds). Deacons and Diakonia in Late Antiquity: The Third Century Onwards. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2024: 64-77.
  • Costache, D. ‘Burning Hearts: Emmaus as Realised Eschatology in the Philokalic Tradition.’ In: P. G. Bolt and S. Kim (eds). God’s Grace Inscribed on the Human Heart. Macquarie Park: SCD Press, 2022: 61-78.
  • Costache, D. ‘Theological Anthropology Today: Panayiotis Nellas’s Contribution.’ In: K. Tampakis and H. Ventis (eds). Orthodox Christianity and Modern Science: Past, Present and Future. Turnhout: Brepols Publishers, 2022: 167-182.
  • Costache, D. ‘The Teacher and His School: Philosophical Representations of Jesus and Christianity.’ In: Peter G. Bolt and James R. Harrison (eds). The Impact of Jesus of Nazareth: Historical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspectives, vol. 2: Social and Pastoral Studies. CGAR Series 2. Macquarie Park: SCD Press, 2021: 227-251.
  • Costache, D. ‘Elders and Disciples in Egypt’s Early Monastic Literature.’ In: Steven Smith et al. (eds). Embracing Life and Gathering Wisdom: Theological, Pastoral and Clinical Insights into Human Flourishing at the End of Life. Occasional Series 2. Macquarie Park: SCD Press, 2020: 275-99.
  • Costache, D. ‘Maximus the Confessor and John Damascene’s cosmology.’ In: John Slattery (ed.). The T&T Clark Handbook of Christian Theology and the Modern Sciences. Bloomsbury/T&T Clark, 2020: 81-91.
  • Costache, D. ‘Andrew of Crete’s Great Canon, Byzantine Hermeneutics, and Genesis 1-3.’ In: Andrew Mellas and Sarah Gador-Whyte (eds). Hymns, Homilies and Hermeneutics in Byzantium. Byzantina Australiensia 25. Leiden and Boston: Brill, 2020: 67-85.
  • Costache, D. ‘Asceticism, Well-Being, and Compassion in Maximus the Confessor.’ In: Peter G. Bolt and James R. Harrison (eds). Justice, Mercy, and Well-Being: Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Eugene: Pickwick, 2020: 134-47.

Ecclesiastical appointments:

  • Parish priest (part time), Saint Gregory the Theologian’s Romanian Orthodox Parish (Sydney’s north), Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand (2017-)
  • Elevated to the office of protopresbyter of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (2013)
  • Clergyman of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (2008-2017)
  • Parish priest at Romanian Orthodox parish ‘Dormition of the Theotokos’ (‘Sfanta Maria’) in Sydney, Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand (2004-2008)
  • Assistant priest at parish of Saint Basil in Calea Victoriei, Archdiocese of Bucharest (2001-2004)
  • Ordained presbyter of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Bucharest (24 May 2001)
  • Deacon at parish of Domnita Balasa, Archdiocese of Bucharest (1997-2001)
  • Ordained deacon of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Bucharest (21 January 1997)

Comments are closed.

↑
Close