The CoE, funded by the Academy of Finland, is based in the Faculty of Theology, University of Helsinki, and houses a total of about 40 researchers. As an interdisciplinary venture, it gathers scholars of ancient history, ancient and medieval philosophy, biblical studies, intellectual history, systematic theology, cognitive studies and philosophy of religion.

The CoE consists of the Board and three Research Teams with approximately ten researchers in each. Team 1 focuses on Christianity, Judaism, and Greco-Roman thought, Team 2 on Latin and Arabic sources of medieval and early modern periods and Team 3 on contemporary philosophy of religion.