Revd Professor John Behr
Reverend Professor John Behr is the Regius Professor of Humanity at the University of Aberdeen and former Dean of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. A preeminent patristics scholar, his definitive work on the formation of early Christian theology—particularly his volumes “The Way to Nicaea” and “The Nicene Faith”—has established him as one of Orthodoxy’s leading voices on the First Ecumenical Council.
Ordained to the priesthood in 2001, Fr. John Behr combines scholarly precision with profound theological insight. His research illuminates how early Christian communities interpreted Scripture to articulate the revelation of Christ crucified and risen as the Son of God—the very question that led to the Council of Nicaea.
Fr. John Behr’s other significant contributions include critical editions of Origen’s “On First Principles” and Irenaeus’s “On the Apostolic Preaching,” alongside works like “The Mystery of Christ” and “John the Theologian and His Paschal Gospel.” His most recent work, “Gregory of Nyssa: On the Human Image of God” (2023), provides the first modern critical edition of this important patristic text.
His unique methodology challenges modern historical approaches to theology by returning to patristic exegetical principles. Fr. John Behr’s ability to make the theological debates of the fourth century accessible and relevant to contemporary audiences makes him an invaluable contributor to our understanding of the Nicene faith.
