The Holy Bible in the Syriac tradition (Arabic)
This course provides an opportunity to study and improve proficiency in the Holy Bible within the Syriac tradition. A historical overview of the Holy Bible will be presented, with a particular focus on the New Testament. The course will place great emphasis on the exegesis of Syriac Orthodox Church Fathers. Classical Syriac is the language of the early Bible translation, known as the Peshitta, or the ”simple” translation. Participants will be introduced to other Syriac scriptural translations from the 5th and 6th centuries, specifically the Philoxenian and Harklean versions. In addition, the course includes a brief introduction to the Diatessaron, a Syriac attempt to harmonise the four Gospels into a single coherent narrative.
Learning objectives
Upon completion of the course, participants are expected (individually and collectively) to be able to:
- understand biblical texts with traditional explanations while connecting them to contemporary issues from various social contexts;
- comparing different Syriac Bible translations and explaining how different versions contribute to a deeper understanding;
- explain how the Church interprets Scripture, both historically and in the present day;
- connect biblical texts to everyday life by showing how Scripture shapes both personal faith and the community; and
- Reflecting insightfully on specific occasions when Bible studies with others have revealed insights that one might have missed on one's own, and sharing how these discoveries have personally changed one's way of approaching Scripture and deepened one's participation in church life.
Learning method
At Sankt Ignatios College, the overarching principle guiding learning is that all knowledge is intersubjective.
Knowledge is a dialogue that requires humility and empathy.
The course is based on collaborative and dialogic learning, where participants actively shape both their shared learning journey and the course itself. Content, materials, and methods are adapted in real-time based on the participants' needs, interests, and contributions. In addition to mastering the subject matter, a central goal is for each participant to become aware of how shared learning experiences and dialogue transform their thinking, practice, and identity. Through dialogue, storytelling, group discussions, joint reflection, creative expression, and collective exploration, participants develop an awareness of their own development while simultaneously supporting others. The learning community becomes a space where everyone's experiences and questions not only enrich understanding but also actively guide the course's direction, helping each individual integrate learning into their own life context in a meaningful and personally transformative way.
Requirements
All students at the Syriac seminary are expected to participate in 4 joint campus activities during the academic year: Syriac symposium; Post-Christmas liturgy; Easter activity; and End-of-school closing ceremony.
Attendance is compulsory. Participants are expected to take part in all course activities, both by attending and actively participating in scheduled sessions and by completing assignments outside scheduled lessons. If participants miss lessons, they may need to complete additional assignments to meet the course’s learning objectives. To be considered as having completed the course, 80% attendance and active participation are required.
Syllabus
See the course syllabus for more information.
The operational council revised the syllabus on 14 January 2026.