It's February already and a special twenty-nine day one too! See what Gorgias has in store this month:

Book Grant applications are in and we will be making the announcements of the winners in March eGorgias and all applicants will be notified individually

Important Announcement

In our move to the new Gorgias Offices and our attempts to move our electronic data (your emails), we found out last week that thousands of emails were lost in cyber space. Thanks to the craftiness of our IT department (i.e. George Kiraz) we were able to recover these emails. We apologize profusely for this mishap and be assured that this matter has been resolved. We will be answering all emails, but if there are any urgent concerns and if your emails did not receive response please do not hesitate to call, email again and let us know. Customer Service is our priority. Our customer service is slowly but surely going through emails and responding to all queries. Sincere apologies from the Gorgias Staff...

Attention all Egyptology Enthusiasts

It is amazing what you will find when you clean out your basement. As the curator of the Brooklyn Museum, Edward Bleigberg can testify, you can even discover 100s of books your museum published years ago and are now considered to be rare finds. We were happy to acquire their stock of valuable books and are happy to offer their collection of Coptic, Egyptian and other material available at very affordable rates. For more on this story see our News section and for a list of these books, go to the recent releases section.

Here's a look at this month's eGorgias:

• Recently Released: Our latest titles
• Coming Soon: Forthcoming titles from Gorgias Press
• From the Acquisitions Desk: By Acquisitions Editor Steve Wiggins
• News: Rare Books from the Brooklyn Museum
• Reviews: Reviews from Logos: A Journal of Eastern Christian Studies and Touchstone: A Journal of Mere Christianity
• Conference Report: Gorgias Open House

Gorgias press is excited to announce the availability of the following rare books from the Brooklyn Museum. These books are being sold at prices below the lowest known used book prices available on-line. Supplies are limited!

	Predynastic and Archaic Egypt in the Brooklyn Museum By Winifred Needler ISBN 0-87273-099-9 Paperback, $50 (BiblioPerks™ $40.00)
This richly illustrated museum book on the Pre-dynastic and Archaic Egyptian materials in the Brooklyn Museum is very hard to locate. A full-sized exploration of the considerable materials from ancient Egypt owned by the museum, this volume is an indispensable tool for anyone wishing to use the museum’s collection for research. Fully illustrated with black and white photographs of the artifacts in the department, the book begins wit ha substantial historical introduction, followed by a re-evaluation of Henri de Morgan’s excavations in Upper Egypt. The finds from the principal sites, as well as sites of the Naqada Culture make up the initial presentation. A zoological study of an ivory knife handle also appears. A catalogue raisonné of the Predynastic and Archaic works including tools, household objects, cylinder seals, and figurines fills out the description. Useful appendices include sample pages of de Morgan’s notebooks and related objects in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
	Greek and Latin Inscriptions in the Brooklyn Museum By Kevin Herbert ISBN 978-1-59333-991-3 Hardback, $30 (BiblioPerks™ $24.00)
Forty-three Greek and Latin inscriptions found among the collection of artifacts in the Brooklyn Museum are the object of this study. Presented in transcription and translation, each inscription is also represented with a photographic record. The classical inscriptions and the artifacts upon which they occur make up the main body of the book, but a introduction and divine name, royal name, personal and place name indices provide further useful tools. Most of the inscriptions included in the collection come from Egypt between the 6th century B.C. and the 6th century A.D. Included are public inscriptions concerning the Ptolemaic monarchs, information about religious cults and military matters. Sepulchral monuments are also included, providing information on the outlook of various segments of society toward death in the days before Christianity reached Egypt. Mummy labels and magical amulets are also represented. This volume also serves as a art book with its museum-quality photographs of the objects upon which the inscriptions appear.
	Confirmation du Pouvoir Royal au Nouvel An By Jean-Claude Goyon ISBN 0-913696-17-X Hardback, $150 (BiblioPerks™ $120.00)
The companion volume to Jean-Claude Goyon’s Confirmation du Pouvior Royal au Nouvel An, this rare work contains the photographs of Brooklyn Museum Papyrus 47.218.50. The papyrus, one of a collection of previously unknown documents, was unrolled for the first time in the modern period in the late 1960s. This remarkable document deals with royal ceremonies of ancient Egypt that were performed during the transition period between years. Written in hieratic, the papyrus was published by Goyon in Cairo in 1972, a publication which included the text. This 12-by-16 volume contains the 15 full-sized photographs of the papyrus in black and white, on facing pages with the text written out in hieroglyphic script. Supplies of this uncommon find are limited.
	Images for Eternity By Richard Fazzini ISBN 0-913696-27-7 Paperback, $35 (BiblioPerks™ $28.00)
Sumptuously illustrated with both black and white and color photographs, Images for Eternity presents the objects displayed in 1975 at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Temporarily receiving the Egyptian collection from the Brooklyn Museum and additional pieces from the Lowie Museum, the San Francisco exhibition was immortalized in this publication. Egyptian artifacts from 4000 to 40 B.C.E. were photographed and briefly described. This show book was intentionally designed to keep the reader interested in the artworks themselves rather than the explanatory notes. As a record of the arts of ancient Egypt, this collection is sure to please those with an eye towards art history and the development of artistic styles of one of the cradles of classical civilization.
	Images for Eternity By Richard Fazzini ISBN 0-913696-26-9 Hardback, $45 (BiblioPerks™ $36.00)
Sumptuously illustrated with both black and white and color photographs, Images for Eternity presents the objects displayed in 1975 at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Temporarily receiving the Egyptian collection from the Brooklyn Museum and additional pieces from the Lowie Museum, the San Francisco exhibition was immortalized in this publication. Egyptian artifacts from 4000 to 40 B.C.E. were photographed and briefly described. This show book was intentionally designed to keep the reader interested in the artworks themselves rather than the explanatory notes. As a record of the arts of ancient Egypt, this collection is sure to please those with an eye towards art history and the development of artistic styles of one of the cradles of classical civilization.
	Amarna Reliefs from Hermopolis in American Collections By John D. Cooney ISBN 978-1-59333-987-6 Hardback, $50 (BiblioPerks™ $40.00)
Generously illustrated, this handy reference tool catalogues the sculptured reliefs of the Amarna period from Hermopolis that are represented in American collections. Each relief is illustrated with an accompanying photograph and is given a physical and artistic description. Numerous subjects are represented in the reliefs: the royal family, the court circle, horses and chariots, flora and fauna, musicians, daily life scenes, architecture, and an offering scene. The material was compiled and described by John Cooney, Curator of Egyptian and Classical Art at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Only 2000 copies of this museum book were ever printed, making it an unexpected find in new condition.
	A Monumental Gateway of Sety I By Alexander Badawy ISBN 0-913696-20-X Paperback, $10 (BiblioPerks™ $8.00)
This brief exploration of the Brooklyn Museum’s monumental gateway model from the time of Sety I is abundantly illustrated and handsomely presented. This unique piece from ancient Egypt demonstrates in scale model form what the gateway would have been like in the period of Sety (1303-1290 BC), just prior to the period of the biblical Exodus. Several clear photographs of each segment of the model are presented along with comparative material from other sites in Egypt. Images of Sety himself are included, along with transcriptions and translations of the hieroglyphic inscriptions on the model. The reconstruction shows the grandeur of the original, but on a smaller scale. Also included is the concise study of Elizabeth Riefstahl entitled “The Recent History of King Sety’s Model with Bibliography.” These two pieces together offer a rare glimpse into the realm of ancient Egyptian monumental architecture.
	Pagan and Christian Egypt By Anonymous ISBN 0-913696-25-0 Hardback, $45 (BiblioPerks™ $36.00)
Comparing the Christian and non-Christian cultures in late antique into early medieval Egypt through surviving art works, this book reflects the materials displayed at a 1941 exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum Department of Ancient Art. The exhibit artifacts are presented in black and white photographs, as well as in a catalogue description. Spanning the first through the tenth centuries of the common era, the contents of the book cut a wide historical swath through the cultures of ancient Egypt. An introduction to the items in the display and the volume itself was provided by John Cooney, sometime Curator of Egyptology at the Brooklyn Museum. This handsome volume contains a variety of significant pieces that provide a view into a lost world.
	The Brooklyn Museum Annual X By - ISBN 978-1-59333-993-7 Hardback, $10 (BiblioPerks™ $8.00)
For the historian or museum memorabilia researcher, this volume of the Brooklyn Museum Annual would make an unexpected addition to his or her collection. An old-style museum report, the volume contains curatorial reports, photographs of the museum and its activities, as well as the insider’s look at the way the museum used to be. An added bonus for the scholar is the set of seven articles publishing various artifacts of the museum. These include: “Bemused and Benign: A Fragmentary Head of Dynasty XIII in Brooklyn,” by Bernard V. Bothmer, “Two Royal Heads of the Late Period in Brooklyn,” by Edna R. Russmann, “The Wilbour Papyri in Brooklym: A Progress Report,” by Serge Sauneron, “A Dated Hadra Vase in the Brooklyn Museum,” by Brian F. Cook, “Wedgwood Portrait Medallions of ‘Illustrious Moderns’ in the Emily Winthrop Miles Collection,” by Robert E. P. Hendrick, “Notes on a Polished Greenstone Figure from Guerrero, Mexico,” by Michael Kan, and “A Puppet Figure from the New Hebrides,” by Marian E. Rodee. The Brooklyn Museum, noted for its Egyptology collection, here demonstrates some of the breadth of its formidable collections.
	Miscellanea Wilbouriana 1 By - ISBN 978-1-59333-992-0 Hardback, $20 (BiblioPerks™ $16.00)
A set of eight copiously illustrated articles concerning the Egyptian collections of the Brooklyn Museum comprise this first volume of the Miscellanea Wilbouriana. Included in this volume are the following articles: “A Monumental Gateway for a Temple of King Sety I: An Ancient Model Restored,” by A. Badawy, “The Head that Grew a Face: Notes on a Fine Forgery,” by B. V. Bothmer, “Some Egyptian Reliefs in Brooklyn,” by R. Fazzini, “Two Early Imperial Faience Vessels from Egypt,” by G. Grimm, “Bronze Age Trade between the Aegean and Egypt: Minoan and Mycneaean Pottery from Egypt in Brooklyn,” by R. S. Merrillees and J. Winter, “Night Light,” by A. Oliver, “An Enigmatic Faience Figure,” by E. Riefstahl, and “Two Representations of Gods from the Early Old Kingdom,” by D. Wildung. These articles represent the considered work of several associates of the museum and stand as a useful resource for anyone interested in the artifacts of Egypt.
	Ancient Egyptian Glass and Glazes in the Brooklyn Museum By Elizabeth Riefstahl ISBN 978-1-59333-990-6 Hardback, $30 (BiblioPerks™ $24.00)
Renowned for its facility with faience and other glasswork, ancient Egypt produced many surviving pieces of glassware. Illustrated descriptions of over 90 pieces of glass art from ancient Egypt, this study of the collection in the Brooklyn Museum will catch the eye of collectors and those who appreciate the finer works of ancient craftsmanship. With an introduction and descriptions by Elizabeth Riefstahl, this collection is informative as well as pleasing to view. Sprinkled with vividly colored illustrations, the photographs alone are worth the price of the volume. A variety of art forms are represented in this collection; deities, animals, jewelry, household wares, and anthropomorphic figures all grace the pages of this catalog. The first in the prestigious Wilbour Monograph series, this volume retains its value in presenting an art form in which ancient Egypt excelled.
	Coptic Textiles in the Brooklyn Museum By Deborah Thompson ISBN 978-1-59333-989-0 Hardback, $40 (BiblioPerks™ $32.00)
An under-studied aspect of Coptic culture is the remains of beautiful Coptic textiles. In this amply illustrated museum art book, black and white and color photographs of these rare artifacts appear. The Brooklyn Museum possesses one of the major collections of Coptic art in the Western world. Fabrics seldom survive from the ancient world due to the ravages of time and climate. In this unique presentation of Coptic antiquities, the material culture of the Nile Valley is wonderfully displayed. Textiles dating from the Late Roman period up into Islamic times, from the context of native Egyptian Christians, are ably described and generously illustrated in this rare edition. With a text written by a recognized expert in both textiles and ancient Egypt, this book is full of information as well as nearly lost artifacts. 38 pieces are presented in the collection, along with a chronology, glossary, and bibliography for those who wish to learn more about this intriguing aspect of material culture.

We are excited to announce that the following titles will soon be in print:

Click here for a complete list of our soon-to-be-published books.

Perspectives on Hebrew Scriptures III By Ehud Ben Zvi
This volume incorporates all the articles and reviews published in the Journal of Hebrew Scriptures in 2006. It includes contributions by R. D. Holmstedt, J. Wöhrle, W. K. Gilders, A. Pinker, S. S. Scatolini Apóstolo, J. M. Tebes, R. Benun, D. M. Carr, J. J. Collins, F. W. (Chip) Dobbs-Allsop, A. Kalmanofsky, Yung Suk Kim, G. N. Knoppers, E. Ben Zvi, R. L. Hubbard, Jr., R. W. Klein, M. A. Throntveit, and I. Kalimi. The review section includes more than forty reviews.
ISBN 978-1-59333-976-0, Hardback, $125 (BiblioPerks™ $100.00)

The Qatal//Yiqtol (Yiqtol//Qatal) Verbal Sequence in Semitic Couplets By Silviu Tatu
The book investigates the qatal//yiqtol (yiqtol//qatal) verbal sequence, previously known as ‘tense shifting’, as found in couplets of the Hebrew Psalter, attempting an innovatory explanation by means of M.A.K. Halliday’s Systemic Theory. Examples from Ugaritic poetry are also provided.
ISBN 978-1-59333-958-6, Hardback, $138 (BiblioPerks™ $110.40)

A Catalogue of the Arabic Manuscripts in the Library of the India Office By Otto Loth
Commissioned by the Indian government to prepare a descriptive catalogue of the Arabic manuscripts of the Library of India Office in London, Loth produced this reference work. A total of 1,050 manuscripts are covered in the catalogue. At the time of the composition of Loth’s work only one of the items in the catalogue had even been the subject of an edition which means that the vast majority of the items were unknown until the late 1870s.
ISBN 978-1-59333-925-8, Hardback, $132 (BiblioPerks™ $105.60)

The Divans of the Six Ancient Arabic Poets By A. Ahlwardt
This collection of the Divans of Ennabiga, Antara, Tharafa, Zuhair, Alqama, and Imruulqais is a rare find. Among the earliest known writers of Arabic poetry, these authors are essential components of Arabic history and literature. This study, long out of print, is the acknowledged starting point for the study of these poets. Their Divans are presented in Arabic, along with a substantial introduction by Ahlwardt, a list of variant readings and corrections, considerations of discrepancies in the manuscripts, and appendices of the fragments.
ISBN 978-1-59333-998-2, Hardback, $125 (BiblioPerks™ $100.00)

A Grammar of the Malayalam Language By Joseph Peet
Based on years of personal experience in India, Joseph Peet’s grammar of Malayalam was the first attempt by a western scholar to document the language. Set out like a classical grammar of the period, Peet begins with an introduction to the language and the orthography. The parts of speech are each treated, followed by an account of the syntax. One of the official languages of India, Malayalam is spoken by about 37 million individuals, mostly in the state of Kerala in the southern part of the nation. For the historian interested in the history of the study of Malayalam, this grammar is a special find.
ISBN 978-1-59333-997-5, Hardback, $112 (BiblioPerks™ $89.60)

An Old Pahlavi-Pazand Glossary By Martin Haug
Originally compiled by Destur Hoshangji Jamaspji Asa, this historic dictionary was revised and enlarged by Martin Haug. This edition of the glossary represents the first time that the Pahlavî-Pâzand, or Saanian Farhang, was published in its ancient form and arrangement. The dictionary is of an Aramaic translation into Middle Persian, in Pahlavi script. A substantial introductory essay on Pahlavi comprises nearly 150 pages before the actual glossary begins. The entries are also translated into English, occasionally reaching substantial essays on some of the more complex or precise words. A truly historic attempt to document a language far removed from many European and new world scholars, Haug has produced an indispensable historic dictionary.
ISBN 978-1-59333-995-1, Hardback, $133 (BiblioPerks™ $106.40)

An Old Zand-Pahlavi Glossary By Martin Haug
This historical dictionary contains an English translation of the Frahang-I Oim-evak, an antique Avestan and Middle Persian dictionary. A collaboration between Martin Haug and Destur Hoshengji Jamaspji, this rare glossary provides the Pahlavi translations for almost 900 Avestan words. Avestan is an Eastern Old Iranian language used by the Zoroastrian Avesta. It represents one of the earliest known Iranian languages. This dictionary was one of the earliest attempts to present the material to a western readership. Still considered a historic entry-point into the language, Haug’s glossary has become a rare find. Gorgias Press is pleased to bring it back into circulation as a part of our Historical Dictionary series.
ISBN 978-1-59333-996-8, Hardback, $103 (BiblioPerks™ $82.40)

Like a living organism, an academic press is a complex entity. Instead of consuming food and oxygen (although the human elements of the press do that as well!), the academic press survives on submissions of new material. Gorgias Press is committed to the publication of areas of study that have been traditionally under-represented in academia, but we also publish in some mainstream disciplines as well such as biblical studies and classics. Submissions in any of our areas of interest, or even a little outside those areas, are always welcome!

The long winter months have led to the production of the first book in our Deities and Angels of the Ancient World series, namely, Sang Youl Cho’s Lesser Deities in the Ugaritic Texts and the Hebrew Bible. This noteworthy title is soon to be joined by Eugene Seaich’s, A Great Mystery: The Secret of the Jerusalem Temple, a work focused on the representation of the cherubim in the temple. Works that examine divine beings in the ancient world would be welcome additions to this series. With current interests in angels running high, this is the time to publish!

Joseph Hallman’s The Coming of the Impassible God marks the Gorgias entry into theology proper. This important book fills a need in the discussion of suffering in a divinely-ordered world. Other submissions on theology or philosophical issues would enhance this new area of publication for us. If someone in your department is looking for a publisher, please mention Gorgias Press to them!

Lastly, I would like to draw your attention to a new series entitled Gorgias Neo-Aramaic Studies (GNAS), edited by Geoffrey Kahn. The purpose of the Neo-Aramaic Studies series is to publish volumes relating to the modern dialects of Aramaic or the literature of the Christian and Jewish speakers of these dialects. The volumes will include linguistic studies relating to any of the dialects or to groups of dialects. Soon to be released in this series is Margo Rees' Lishan Didan, Targum Didan: Translation Language in a Neo-Aramaic Targum Tradition

Many new titles are nearing completion, so keep an eye on the Gorgias website over the next few weeks for some great new titles. As always, your good word to colleagues about us is always appreciated!

Happy Reading,

Cheers,

Steve Wiggins, Acquisitions Editor

Lesser Deities in the Ugaritic Texts and the Hebrew Bible By Sang Youl Cho
This book explores ancient conceptions of the lesser deities, the so-called angels, in the Ugaritic texts and the Hebrew Bible. It provides readers with fundamental understanding of ancient "angelology" in the religious literatures from Ugarit and Israel.
ISBN 978-1-59333-820-6, Hardback, $124 (BiblioPerks™ $99.20)

A Great Mystery, The Secret of the Jerusalem Temple By Eugene Seaich
In this thoroughly provocative book, the late Eugene Seaich made a detailed study of the intractable mystery of the Jerusalem temple. Using historical sources and ingenious detective work, Seaich suggested that the cherubim in Solomon’s temple were portrayed in a copulatory embrace. Aware that this thesis was not entirely novel, the author built a substantial case in its favor and traced the influence of the atonement (at-one-ment) theology behind the concept through the periods of Israel’s wisdom school, into the New Testament and Gnostic sources, up through the Middle Ages.
ISBN 978-1-59333-840-4, Hardback, $125 (BiblioPerks™ $100.00)

The Coming of the Impassible God: Tracing a Dilemma in Christian Theology By Joseph M. Hallman
This book describes the development of the Christian understanding of God from the second to the eighth century as witnessed by major theologians who gradually realized that the Incarnate Word made flesh was not the God of the philosophers. They helped construct the great dogmas of the Christological councils. Beginning with the Apologists and ending with Maximus Confessor, the theological tradition overcame the notion of impassible deity in favor of the humble God of Christian faith, the Word made flesh.
ISBN 978-1-59333-792-6, Hardback, $109 (BiblioPerks™ $87.20)

Lishan Didan, Targum Didan: Translation Language in a Neo-Aramaic Targum Tradition By Margo Rees
An analysis of a modern targum tradition – and the Neo-Aramaic dialect in which it was written – in light of the history of traditional Jewish Bible translation and its uses.
ISBN 978-1-59333-426-0, Hardback, $98 (BiblioPerks™ $78.40)

Rare Books from the Brooklyn Museum

It was like a scene straight out of “National Treasure.” Well, maybe not that exciting. When the staff of the venerable Brooklyn Museum were cleaning out their basement they discovered a most curious artifact. Unlike the garden variety relics of any museum, this artifact was of their own making. Years ago the Brooklyn Museum ran a publishing department that produced books featuring items likely to be found in museums and bringing them to the attention of the public. With the changing of the times, the museum closed down the operation and the unsold books eventually outlived the collective memory of the staff.

When room was being made for further office space, the museum staff was amazed to find about a thousand of their own books stowed away, long forgotten in a basement office. Most of the titles fell into the publishing and marketing venues of Gorgias Press and a call was put through to George Kiraz. Undertaking the East-Coast-commuter-length journey to Brooklyn from Piscataway, Dr. Kiraz assessed the situation and reported back to his awaiting staff. The museum wanted the books out of their space, and Gorgias Press was pleased to help them move.

To celebrate the rescue of these neglected books, Gorgias Press is holding a sale on these rare titles. Museum books are a breed nearing extinction. Detailed illustrations on glossy paper make for a substantial-feeling tome full of information on by-gone cultures and gilded ages. Own a part of history – buy one of these limited quantity titles today!

Check out these titles in the Recently Released section of the newsletter or click here to view the titles on our website.

Gorgias Press: “a remarkable publisher to which all Eastern Christians should be paying close and regular attention"

Adam J. De Ville, the editor of Logos: A Journal of Eastern Christian Studies in his review essay titled Eastern Ecclesial Polity: A Review Essay (Logos vol 48 (3-4), 2007 243-65), gave a rave review to our varied and rich selection of Gorgias titles in Eastern Christian studies:

“...a remarkable publisher to which all Eastern Christians should be paying close and regular attention and for which we can be grateful for their many, varied and rich offerings. Based in New Jersey, Gorgias has been putting into print both reissues of older, sometimes ‘classic’ works from Eastern Christian studies as well as new works, including doctoral dissertations in the discipline. Their website (www.gorgiaspress.com) has one of the largest and most interesting collections of books in Eastern Christian studies—and related disciplines—of any publisher in North America today, and this is both commendable and encouraging. What distinguishes Gorgias is their focus not just or even primarily on the Byzantine Orthodox Churches but also inter alia, on the Oriental Orthodox and the Assyrian Church of the East. They have a particular interest in various Syriac and cognate realities.”

We are also pleased to alert you to the following reviews recently published in Logos.

Maureen Beyer Moser's book on Origen, Teacher of Holiness: The Holy Spirit in Origen's Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans received another glowing review. According to reviewer, Elizabeth Dively Lauro:

“This book is a long overdue contribution to Origen studies. Moser shows Origen’s understanding of the Holy Spirit’s relation to the Father and the Son within the unity of the Trinity and to the human soul in its spiritual journey to share in that unity. Moser’s thesis is to establish Origen’s basic theology of the Holy Spirit as it emerges in his commentary on Romans (Comm. Rom.). However, this pursuit leads to a full-blown consideration of the soul’s spiritual journey, emphasizing how the Holy Spirit both facilitates and acts within that process. We may view Moser’s study as confirmation that all aspects of Origen’s theology and exegesis are ultimately about the human pursuit of spiritual perfection.

...Moser’s book provides a fruitful starting point for a comprehensive understanding of the nature and role of the Holy Spirit within Origen’s theology. In addition, it confirms how important the pursuit of spiritual growth is to Origen’s exegetical efforts. Indeed, we find the major tenets of Origen’s thought, including his theology of the Holy Spirit, within the context of the soul’s journey to God.”

The full text of the review can be found in Logos, 2007: pp. 300-304.

According to Hugh Wybrew, Maclean and Brown, The Catholicos of the East and His People (originally published 1892),

"paints a fascinating picture of the Syrian Church at the end of the nineteenth century. It is of great historical interest both to present members of the Church of the East and to students of Eastern Christianity… The Church of the East now lives in a different world from the one it inhabited when the two authors knew it. For the Assyrians who remained in Iraq, in 2000 about 25,000, the world is changing again. The American and British military attack on Iraq has doomed its Christian communities to extinction. Soon all Iraqi Christians will likely find themselves in diaspora, bringing to an end a Christian presence in Mesopotamia going back almost to the beginning of Christianity. Paradoxically, that may enable the Church of the East, now established in the West, to bear more effective witness to its distinctive Christian tradition.” (see Logos, vol. 48, pp.317-322)

Nick Ferencz,'s study, American Orthodoxy and Parish Congregationalism explores the divergence of practice from doctrine in the American Orthodox church. The reviewer writes that "the importance of ecumenical sensitivity and sympathy is evident in this book." Furthermore, "it is just the sort of ecclesiological study that increasingly needs to be done." According to Adam de Ville, editor of Logos.

"Ferencz offers a very helpful survey of the polity of five Orthodox Churches in the United States-The Orthodox Church of America (OCA), the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (GOA) of America, the Antiochean Orthodox Archdiocese (AOA) of North America, the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese (ACROD, of which Ferencz is a priest), and the Ukranian Orthodox Church (UOC) of the USA. He tell us though there are more than thirty Orthodox jurisdictions in North America, he decided to focus on these five because 'their population makes up the great majority of American Orthodox.' … All these factors—and others—ensure that Ferencz’s book is both timely and useful."

"...His is a clearly written and thought-out book whose analysis is convincingly advanced and amply demonstrated with evidence.”

A review of another one of our books, namely, Anthony Dragani’s Adrian Fortescue and the Eastern Christian Churches also appeared recently in Touchstone: A Journal of Mere Christianity. The reviewer Robert Grano recommends the book to his "fellow Orthodox" who "should have no qualms about reading this book; though some of Fortescue’s views will rankle, Dragani’s will not. His book should prove to be a valuable work for anyone interested in the relationship between Eastern and Western Christianity” (Jan/Feb, p.51).

	Teacher of Holiness: The Holy Spirit in Origen's Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans By Maureen Beyer Moser ISBN 1-59333-149-5 Hardback, $99 (BiblioPerks™ $79.20)
This book explores the pneumatology of Origen's Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans illustrates the centrality of the Holy Spirit for his theological project. As both God's exitus into the world and humanity's reditus to God, the Spirit forms the crucial link between Origen's doctrine of God and his spiritual anthropology. Origen's images for the Holy Spirit, understood in the context of second century concepts of 'spirit,' convey the intersection of theology and anthropology in his thought. This book explores Origen's understanding of the multiplicity of spirits found in the Scriptures, with particular emphasis on the Holy Spirit as pivotal to God's outreach into the world.
	The Catholicos of the East and His People By William Henry Browne Maclean, Arthur John ISBN 1-59333-403-6 Hardback, $102 (BiblioPerks™ $81.60)
Describes the life and customs, both ancient and modern, of the modern Assyrians (“Nestorians”) who formed in the nineteenth century a remarkable outpost of Christianity in the Middle East. The authors rely in their descriptions on the Sunhadus, or Book of Canon Law, which governs that Church even today.
	American Orthodoxy and Parish Congregationalism By Nicholas Ferencz ISBN 1-59333-195-9 Hardback, $99 (BiblioPerks™ $79.20)
Orthodox ecclesiology doctrinally and historically requires that all authority in the church be expressed by the bishop. The unity of authority, based upon the laying on of hands, is the lived expression of the oneness and catholicity of the church. American Orthodoxy, however, does not have such an authority structure, especially on the parish level. This study explores the divergence of practice from doctrine in the American church. The study concludes with a theological discussion of the problematic nature of parish congregationalism in Orthodoxy. It points toward the already-realized conciliarity of supra-parish structures as the paradigm for a reformation of parish authority structures.
	Adrian Fortescue and the Eastern Christian Churches By Anthony Dragani ISBN 978-1-59333-345-4 Hardback, $99 (BiblioPerks™ $79.20)
Adrian Fortescue (1874-1923) was recognized as one of England’s foremost authorities on Eastern Christianity and helped to shape the English-speaking world’s understanding of the Eastern Churches. This book is a critical examination of his writings on the subject, analyzing what he said about the Eastern Christian Churches and highlighting his insights into key questions. It focuses on Fortescue’s understanding of the schisms and his thoughts as to how reunion can come about. The book concludes by comparing Fortescue's perspective to later advances in theology and historical scholarship in order to ascertain the long-term accuracy of his writings.

Gorgias Open House

Gorgias Open House was held on Friday January 25th and was attended by about fifty people. Among our distinguished guests were authors, graduate students and scholars. Even Rutgers University paper was there to publicize the event in their local channel. Many Gorgias enthusiasts mixed and mingled while browsing through our books, enjoying great wine, cheese and delicious middle eastern food. The Gorgias staff gave presentations detailing the current projects and some of the community outreach programs such as becoming a friend of the Syriac Book, as well as Gorgias Book Grants, awarded annually to two outstanding graduate students. Acquisitions editor, Steve Wiggins talked about our publication process and Robert Morehouse gave a presentation of our Analecta Gorgiana series where we resurrect obscure but still relevant research from journals in the format of books.

The evening drew to a close with a celebration of the 100th year combined birthday of Gorgias President George Kiraz and Prof. Lucas van Rompay of Duke University. A special cake baked and inscribed by Thomas and Mary Carlson was presented to the two scholars. Thomas Carlson in the spirit of Ephrem composed an acrostic poem with a Syriac colophon. It was certainly the most beautiful cake in the shape of a book that we have seen.

Gorgias also gave away 4 door prizes in the form of Gorgias Books: The prize of $50 in Gorgias Books went to Lucas van Rompay who purchased our Harp of the Gazelle imprint titles for his grandson. The prize of $100 was won by Nadine Fattouhi who picked the Last Assyrians, Impressions of Ancient Mesopotamia, and George Kiraz's Syriac Primer. The $150 prize went to Jennifer Barbour a graduate student interested in Ugaritic Studies and she picked the titles in our new Ugaritic Series as her choice. The grand prize of $200 in Gorgias Books went to the newest addition to the Gorgias staff, Lisa Noriega who is still deciding which books she should pick....

	The Syriac Alphabet for Children By George Anton Kiraz ISBN 1-59333-113-4 Hardback, $33 (BiblioPerks™ $26.40)
This booklet presents the Syriac alphabet according to the West Syriac script, known also as Serto. With twenty-two illustrations, it is a great introduction to the alphabet for children, parents, and students of Syriac.
	The New Syriac Primer By George Anton Kiraz ISBN 978-1-59333-325-6 Paperback w/ CD, $72 (BiblioPerks™ $57.60)
A truly useful introduction to the Syriac language is a rare find. This practical initiation to the study of the ancient language of the Christian church speaks with clarity and authority. A fruitful integration of scholarly introduction and practical application, this primer is more than a simple grammar or syntactic introduction to the language. Written in a style designed for beginners, Kiraz avoids technical language and strives for a reader-friendly inductive approach. Readings from actual Syriac texts allow the student to experience the language first hand and the basics of the grammar of the language are ably explained. The book comes with a handy CD so that readers may listen to all reading sentences and text passages in the book.
	Impressions of Ancient Mesopotamia By Alan Lenzi ISBN 1-59333-226-2 Hardback, $34 (BiblioPerks™ $27.20)
This book introduces children to ancient Mesopotamian culture through cylinder seals: their production, use, and art. Written for sixth grade readers, it introduces Mesopotamian myths and gives insight into cultural characteristics, ideas, and institutions.
	The Last Assyrians: A History of Aramaic-Speaking Christians By R Alaux ISBN 0-00000-006-X DVD, $42 (BiblioPerks™ $33.60)
The Last Assyrians is a film on the survival of the Aramaic-speaking Christians (Assyrians, Chaldeans, Syriacs). The U.S. edition contains the English version, while the European edition contains both the English and French versions.
	A Reassessment of Asherah By Steve A. Wiggins ISBN 978-1-59333-717-9 Hardback, $90 (BiblioPerks™ $72.00)
Asherah is one of the most popular goddesses known from the ancient world. In this second edition of the author’s 1993 monograph on the goddess, further articles and bibliography have been added to bring this ever-expanding field of study more up-to-date.
	Word of Tree and Whisper of Stone, and other papers on Ugaritian thought By Nicolas Wyatt ISBN 978-1-59333-716-2 Hardback, $90 (BiblioPerks™ $72.00)
This volume is a collection of selected essays on specific themes in Ugaritic literature. Included are eight unique contributions to understanding the religious life and thought of Ugarit, including detailed studies and essays covering broader issues for grasping the worldview of ancient Syria.

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