Symposium: Stigmata on Body and Soul

Stigmata on Body and Soul

Wounds, Tattoos, and Blemishes in Greco-Roman Antiquity and
Their Representation in Christian History

International Symposium on July 24–25, 2025

organized by

Chair of New Testament I (Theology of the New Testament)

Prof. Dr. Christina Eschner

About of the Symposium

The symposium focuses on a phenomenon that is attested in several forms for ancient Christianity, but has not yet been examined in detail: the stigmata on body and soul. The starting point is the term “stigma,” which comes from ancient Greek (στίγμα) and there – unlike in contemporary English or German – (primarily) refers to something visible on the skin in a concrete sense. The exact meaning of “stigma,” however, is disputed. Is it a tattoo or rather a brand (e.g. to mark the ownership of slaves), a wound, or a scar?

Based on a precise clarification of term “stigma” in Greek and Latin, the symposium will address three aspects: Firstly, the symposium aims to historically examine the central tradition of the wounds that Jesus suffered during his crucifixion while also investigating the notion of stigmata on the bodies of the believers. Secondly, it will explore the relationship between conspicuous bodily signs and their effects on the respective individuals, particularly regarding the aspect of social exclusion that is still closely associated with the term “stigma.” Thirdly, the concept of moral stigmata on the soul, which arise from affections and wrongful actions, will be examined. 

The topic of “stigmata” touches upon numerous themes such as ancient medicine, ethics, anthropology, social exclusion, and the religious significance of bodily signs like tattoos. It promotes close collaboration between various theological disciplines as well as with other fields of ancient studies and beyond (history of medicine).

Papers by:

Anne Bezzel (Erfurt) John Granger Cook (LaGrange, GA) Martin T. Dinter (London) Christina Eschner (Erlangen) Michael Francis (Washington D.C.) David Ganz (Zurich) Mark Gustafson (Minneapolis, MN) Christoph Hammann (Münster) Charlotte Köckert (Erlangen) Karl-Heinz Leven (Erlangen) Candida Moss (Birmingham) Barbara Müller (Hamburg) Nils Neumann (Hannover) Anselm Schubert (Erlangen) Florian Steger (Ulm) Kelly L. Wrenhaven (Cleveland, OH)

You are cordially invited to attend. 

Registration by July 15^th, 2025 is requested. 

Please contact Carola Eggeler via theol-nti@fau.de or sign in here: