Activities of the Department of Religious Studies

Between 1 – 4 November, the Department of Religious Studies held the Second Christian Book Fair and Icon Exhibition. Students made all the preparations, collected the texts, and described the significance of the exhibited icons.

The exhibition was carried out in coordination with the local community, especially with Father Peter Madros, Head of the Biblical Education Center in the Latin Patriarchate, the Latin Seminary, and the Orthodox Cultural Center in Beit Jala. The exhibition welcomed more than 300 guests. The opening ceremony was attended by Brother Vincent Malham, President-Vice Chancellor, Brother Fergus McArdle, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Ms. Vera Baboun, Assistant Dean of Students, and Brother Jack Curran, Vice President for Development.

The exhibition raised awareness among students and the local community about Christians books available in the market. With the icons the aim was to educate, to highlight the artistic talents of those making the icons, and to create an understanding about religious symbols and ecclesiastical art.

On Friday, 5 November, the Department of Religious Studies carried out another activity. Father Elias Chacour, Melkite Priest, gave a presentation in Brother Joe Hall entitled “Pluralism: a Source of Conflict or Harmony.” Father Chacour spoke to the faculty and students about his work and educational service with the local community, in the College he founded where the faculty and students are Christians, Moslems, Jews, and Druze.

On Tuesday, 2 November, All Souls Remembrance Day was commemorated in the University Chapel. In particular, Father Michael Prior was remembered as a priest, biblical scholar, supporter of Palestinian rights and friend of Bethlehem University. Father Michael passed away last July. Also, deceased faculty, staff, students, and relatives were remembered.

On either 10 or 11 November, Father Jamal Khader, Chairman of the Department of Religious Studies, will be featured on Good Morning America, of ABC News, USA. David Wright interviewed Father Jamal in front of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Father Jamal will speak about miracles and faith, popular understanding of miracles, whether or not miracles are necessary as a condition for religious belief, and miracles that can be verified scenically and the ones that take place inside a person.