The Humanist Presence at the Convent of Jesus and Mary of the Discalced Carmelites in Isfahan from 1608 to 1621
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34624/agora.v0i26.1.41728Keywords:
Carmelite friars, Persia, missionaries, interreligious dialogue, humanismAbstract
In 1604, the Discalced Carmelite friars established their first mission in Persia, highlighting their impact on humanism and the exchange of knowledge across cultures. Upon their arrival in 1608, these missionaries focused their efforts on education and intercultural exchange, guided by the teachings of Mother Teresa of Jesus and Father Juan de Jesús María. They developed linguistic skills in Persian, Turkish, Armenian, and Chaldean, essential for their work in translating religious and scientific texts, and for the creation of a convent library rich in diverse works, including European literature and ancient Oriental manuscripts. This activity fostered an interreligious and cultural dialogue. Thus, the Carmelites acted not only as evangelizers but also as cultural mediators in a context of political and religious tensions, significantly contributing to the legacy of humanism and global understanding through the exchange of books between Europe and Persia and vice versa.
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