New Academic Year Celebrations 2004-2005
NEWS In the occasion of the new Academic Year Opening, Metropolitan Elias Kurban of Tripoli, representing His Beatitude Patriarch IGNATIUS IV, presided over the service of Great Vespers at the Church of Our Lady of Balamand at 5:00 PM, October 4, 2003. Also present was Metropolitan Boulos Bandali of Akkar, the Abbot of Balamand Monastery and Dean of the Institute of Theology Bishop John Yazigi, the students, faculty members and staff of the Institute, along with other dignitaries: His Excellency Dr. Elie Salem, President of the University of Balamand, Deans and Directors of the University of Balamand, along with many other friends and alumni of Balamand. The Vespers was followed by the Service of the Blessing of Water. After welcoming the new students, His Eminence Metropolitan Elias (Kurban) spoke on the importance of the Institute of Theology in the Church of Antioch since many hierarchs and pastors have graduated from this unique Institute. Also he stressed on the Institute's unique wrote in strengthening the unity of the Church of Antioch, remembering its continuous hard work in this field, especially the First Alumni Meeting. This meeting occurred in July and was very successful in gathering more than 80 bishops and priests who took time to see each other and share their experiences, successes, and problems. Finally, Metropolitan Kurban asked the Lord to bless this New Academic Year and new and old students in their Academic pursuits and spiritual labor. Afterward, everyone was invited to a festal dinner at the Institute. The Dean Bishop John thanked everyone for their love in participating in this event. Tuesday, October 5, , was a special day for the Balamand community. The Dean Bishop John desired for all of the students, staff and Faculty members to start the academic year with an eucharistic celebration. After the Divine Liturgy, everyone participated in a meal of love and the students started their courses.
|
From Annahar Newspaper (Tuesday October 5th, 2004) |
His Eminence Metropolitan Elias of Tripoli presiding over the Service of Vespers, and Bishop John Yazigi to his left |
|
Artoklassia: Blessing of the Five Loaves during Vespers
|
|
BLESSING OF WATER
|
|
DINNER: The Dean Thanking His Eminence and all guests |
|
DIVINE LITURGY Tuesday's Divine Liturgy: Bishop John blessing the faithful (Faculty, Staff, and Students) In the Sermon, the Dean encouraged the students to begin with much vigor and work on their spiritual life, along with academic work The Choir
|
ALUMNI CONFERENCE 2004 - Day 4
July 8th
Morning Divine Liturgy
His Eminence Metropolitan Elias of Tripoli Presiding the Divine Liturgy |
|
Reading the Working Groups Reports...
|
||
His Beatitude Giving His Final Recommendations to the Participants |
The Dean Bishop JOHN Yazigi |
His Beatitude Sharing the Discussions of the Conference |
Picture of the all the Participants of the Alumni Conference
ALUMNI CONFERENCE 2004 - Day 3
July 7th
Morning Talks
Bishop Basil Nassour Speaking on The Modern Tools in Pastoral Care
|
Father Agapios Naous Speaking on: "The Problems of Preaching" | Father Spiridon Fayad on: "Pastoral Duties of the Priest towards his flock" |
|
||
|
Evening Talks
|
Father Gabriel Yakomi on: "The Priest's Role in Assuring the Unity of the Antiochian See." |
|
Working Groups Preparing their Reports |