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Fr. Bassam A. Nassif |
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Academic Rank: |
Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology |
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Faculty: |
St John of Damascus Institute of Theology, University of Balamand |
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Email: |
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EDUCATION |
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2014-2020 |
PhD in Theology(with distinction) |
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2008-2011 |
Doctor of Ministry |
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1994-1998 |
Master of Divinity (with high distinction) |
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1989-1993 |
Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering |
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ACADEMIC TEACHING EXPERIENCE |
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St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology, University of Balamand, Lebanon |
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2011-present |
Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology (Full Time) |
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2009-2011 |
Lecturer of Pastoral Theology (Full Time) |
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2005-2009 |
Lecturer of Pastoral Theology (Part Time) |
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ACADEMIC COORDINATION |
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2016-present |
Academic Coordinator of the Bachelor of Theology Program. |
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2014-2019 |
Academic Coordinator of Kalima e-Learning Theology Program. |
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COEDITED BOOKS |
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2021 |
Patriarch Ignatius IV. The Man and his Vision – Academic Conference (Arabic). Co-edited by Fr. Bassam Nassif and Fr. Hareth Ibrahim. Conference organized by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and St John of Damascus Institute of Theology, University of Balamand, Lebanon, December 2013. St John of Damascus Institute of Theology Publications, 2019. ISBN 1-79-452-9953-978 (Under Print). |
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2018 |
The People of God in Bible and Tradition: Semantic Implications and Modern Relevance (English and French). Co-edited by Fr. Bassam Nassif and Michel Nseir. Balamand Theological Conferences, v. 4: St John of Damascus Institute of Theology Publications, 2018. ISBN 978-614-454-046-6 |
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E-Book |
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1996 |
‘On the Confirmation of the Law of Moses, the Gospel and Orthodoxy’ Pastoral Treatise by Theodore Abu Qurrah, Bishop of Harran (c.755-c.829) (English). This book, originally my Master’s Thesis, is published by TREN, Portland, OR, USA, 1996, and a copy is purchased by nineteen libraries across America: http://www.tren.com/. OCLC 894517821 |
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CHAPTERS IN BOOKS |
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2021 |
“The Church of Antioch: Creation and Environmental Sustainability” (English). Climate Crisis and Creation Care: Eco-Economic Sustainability, Ecological Integrity and Justice. Edited by Christina Nellist. Cambridge University Press, Publishing date: May 2021 (Under Print). |
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2014 |
“Mixed Marriages in the Antiochian Orthodox Church” (English). Christian Family and Contemporary Society. Edited by N. Dumitrascu. Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2014, pp. 127-140. ISBN 978-0567657404 |
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2014 |
“Mixed Marriages in the Orthodox Church: An Educational Approach to a Pastoral Issue” (English). Co-authored with Pekka Metso. Orthodox Handbook on Theological Education and Ecumenism. Edited by Dr. Pantelis Kalaitzidis, Thomas Fitzgerald, Cyril Hovorun, Aikaterini Pekridou, ETE/World Council of Churches, Geneva, Regnum Books International 2014, pp. 794-800. ISBN 978-1-90835544-7 |
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JOURNAL ARTICLES (PEER REVIEWED) |
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2021 |
“Forgiveness in Marriage: From Cure to Healing” (English). Teologie şi Viaţă, vol. 97, issue 1-4, January-March 2021. ISSN 2285-5564 (Under Print). |
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2021 |
“Organ Donation and the Orthodox Church’s Contemporary Positions” (Arabic). |
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2020 |
“Personhood Revisited: Implications for Humanoids” (English). Studia Universitatis Babeş‐Bolyai Theologia Orthodoxa, vol. 65, no. 2, December 2020, pp. 27-43. Doi:10.24193/subbto.2020.2.02. ISSN: 2065-9474. |
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2020 |
“Authority, Obedience, and Hierarchy in Christ: Christian Marriage and Postmodern Challenges” (English). Analele Ştiinţifice ale Universităţii “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” din Iaşi. Teologie Ortodoxă, vol. 25, Issue 2, 2020, pp. 33-49. ISSN 1841-849X |
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2020 |
“A Case Study of a Divorcee: Spiritual Direction and Psychological Insight” (Greek). co-authored with Dr. Stephen Harris. Ψυχής Δρόμοι [Ways of the Soul Scientific Journal], vol. 20, November 2020, pp. 149-157. ISSN: 1792-9571-20 |
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2020 |
“Revisiting the Marital Household as the ‘Little Church’” (English) Teologie şi Viaţă, vol. 96, issue 5-8, May-August 2020, pp. 57-71. Doi: doi.org/10.47433/tv.xcvin5-8.57. ISSN 2285-5564 |
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2020 |
“Enlivening the Charisms of the Holy Spirit” (English). Analele Ştiinţifice ale Universităţii “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” din Iaşi. Teologie Ortodoxă, vol. 25, Issue 1, 2020, pp. 81-95. ISSN: 1841-849X |
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2014 |
“Pastoral Implications of the Trauma of War: The Case of Lebanon” (English). |
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2013 |
“The Social View of the Orthodox Church: Faith and Practice” (Arabic). Annals of St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology, vol. 10, 2013, pp. 52-70. |
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2012 |
“The Person & Work of Priests” (English). Annals of St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology, vol. 9, 2012, pp. 169-180. |
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2007 |
“Toward Reinstituting the Kiss of Peace in the Liturgy” (Arabic). Annals of St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology, vol. 8, 2007, pp. 71-92. |
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CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS (Peer Reviewed) |
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2021 |
“The Church - Body of Christ and the Charisms of the People of God” (Italian). Conference: Chiamati alla vita in Cristo: Nella chiesa, nel mondo, nel tempo presente. Edited by Luigi d’Ayala Valva, Lisa Cremaschi e Adalberto Mainardi monaci di Bose: Atti del XXVII Convegno ecumenico internazionale di spiritualita ortodossa, Bose, Italy, 5-9 September 2019 (Under Print). |
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2019 |
“Postmodern Love and the Orthodox Spiritual Perspective” (English). Conference: Studia Theologica Doctoralia. Tenth International Conference. Organized by the Faculties of Theology at the Universities of Iasi, Balamand, and Graz, 7-9 May 2018. ISBN: 978-606-666- 496-7 |
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2018 |
“‘Give Ear O Shepherd of Israel’: A Plea for the Messianic New Exodus” (English). Conference: The People of God in Bible and Tradition. Edited by Fr. Bassam Nassif, Michel Nseir. Balamand Theological Conferences, v. 4, 2018, pp. 247-270. ISBN 978-614-454-046-6 |
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2017 |
“Googling the Truth: Educating our Youth on Wisdom and Discernment” (Romanian). Educaţia religioasă a tinerilor în contextul secularizării actuale, Editura Basilica, Bucuresti. Edited by Ploieșteanul, V., Marica, F., Lemeni, A., 2017, pp. 143- 156. ISBN 978-606-29-0154-7 |
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2016 |
“Mercy and Forgiveness in Pastoral Work and the Family: The Orthodox Church’s Perspective” (Italian). Misericordia e perdono. Edited by Luigi d’Ayala Valva, Lisa Cremaschi e Adalberto Mainardi monaci di Bose: Atti del XXIII Convegno ecumenico internazionale di spiritualita ortodossa, Bose, 2016, pp. 235-260. ISBN: 978-88-8227-479-5 |
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2013 |
“Church as Family: Patriarch Ignatius IV’s Pastoral Vision of the Church” (Arabic). Patriarch Ignatius IV: The Man and His Vision. Coedited by Fr. Bassam Nassif and Fr. Hareth Ibrahim. St John of Damascus Institute of Theology Publications, 2019. ISBN 1-79-452-9953-978 (Under Print). |
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2012 |
“The Rhetoric Style of St. John of Damascus” (English). Saint John the Damascene. Theology, Image and Melody. Edited by Porphyrios (Fadi) Georgi. Balamand: St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology Publications, 2012. pp. 77-90. ISBN 978-9943-425-57-9 |
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2011 |
“Defending the Faith Using Logic and Pastoral Arguments: Theodore Abu Qurrah's Innovation” (English). Byzantium in the Early Islamic Syria. Edited by Nadia El- Cheikh & Shaun O’Sullivan, American University of Beirut Press, 2011, pp. 129-146. ISBN 978-9953-9025-2-4 |
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2005 |
“Religious Dialogue in the Eighth Century” (English). 7ème Congrès International des Etudes Arabes Chrétiennes Parole de l’Orient Journal, vol. 30, 2005, pp. 333- 340. ISSN 1697-2104 |
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CONFERENCE LECTURES |
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2019 |
Contribution Title: “Marriage in Postmodernity: An Orthodox Christian Perspective” (English). Conference: Pan Orthodox Unity and Conciliarity. Organized by the University of Iasi and the International Orthodox Theological Association (IOTA), Iasi, Romania, 9-12 January 2019 (Video link of the Contribution: www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2iM5nSdHJQ). |
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2018 |
Contribution Title: “Preserve Them O Lord: The Media’s Attempt to Deconstruct Marriage” (English). Conference: Living Water: Second International Conference on Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care. Organized by the Pemptousia Internet Network and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Kolymbari, Crete, June 2018 (Video link of the Contribution: pemptousia.com/video/preserve-them-o-lord-the-medias-attempt-to-deconstruct-marriage/) |
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2017 |
Contribution Title: “Hope in the Horror of War” (English). Conference: Rekindling Hope. Organized by the Academic Network of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Health Care – Fourth International Conference – Rhodes11-15 October 2017 (Video link of the Contribution: youtube.com/watch?v=gJ1V1sIMDW0&vl=el). |
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2017 |
Contribution Title: “The Orthodox Church’s Views on Artificial Fertilization” (Arabic). Conference: Artificial Reproductive Technologies and the Stance of Islam and Christianity. Organized by the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, 20 October 2017. |
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2015 |
Contribution Title: “Discernment: Spiritual Eyeglasses for Web Surfers” (English). Conference: Living Water: First International Conference on Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care.” Organized by the Pemptousia Internet Network and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Athens, Greece, 7-9 May 2015 (Video Link of the Contribution: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXKAn_R21s4). |
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2015 |
Contribution Title: “The Role of Priests in Supporting the Families of the Disabled Persons” (Arabic). Conference: Pastoral Seminar on Disability. Organized by the St John of Damascus Institute of Theology, University of Balamand, and the Ecumenical Network in Support for the Disabled Persons, Balamand, May 9-10, 2015. |
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2015 |
Contribution Title: “The Orthodox Church’s View on Organ Donation” (Arabic). Conference: Organ Donation: Religious Views. Organized by the University of St. Joseph, Beirut, Lebanon- 5 February 2015. |
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2014 |
Contribution Title: “Pastoral Implications of the Trauma of War” (English). Conference: The Wound. Organized by the Academic Network of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Health Care - Third International Conference - Rhodes, 8-12 October 2014 (Video Link of the Contribution: youtube.com/watch? v=ZgdHssWa7KA&list=PL06bCSa4hZHso-nfzcenKRh2Mq3_t-Y9h&index=7). |
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2012 |
Contribution Title: “Priesthood & Ministry in St Ephrem the Syrian and St John Chrysostom” (English). Conference: Exegetical Schools of Antioch, Edessa, and Nisibis. Organized by the St John of Damascus Institute of Theology, University of Balamand, Lebanon, February 2012. |
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2012 |
Contribution Title: “Preparing a Couple for a Mixed Marriage in Lebanon: A Case Study in Pastoral Education” (English). Seminar: World Council of Churches Joint Inter-Faculty Course. Organized by Balamand, April, 2012. |
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ON-GOING PROJECT |
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2019 |
2019- present A Practical Guide for Marriage Preparation and Marriage Enrichment. |
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PASTORAL SEMINARS ORGANIZER |
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2019 |
Organized a multidisciplinary Pastoral Seminar on Hope in Times of Illness at the University of Balamand, St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology, February 2019. |
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2018 |
Organized a multidisciplinary Pastoral Seminar on Pastoral Accompaniment of the Sick and the Elderly: Spiritual, Psychological and Medical Needs at the University of Balamand, St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology, February 2018. |
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2017 |
Organized a multidisciplinary Pastoral Seminar on Caring for the Caregivers at the University of Balamand, St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology, March 2017. |
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2016 |
Organized a multidisciplinary Pastoral Seminar on Pastoral Accompaniment of the Elderly at the University of Balamand, St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology, February 2016. |
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2015 |
Organized a series of lectures delivered by Professor Daniel Hinshaw on Palliative Care: Spiritual, Social, Medical and Psychological Issues at the University of Balamand, St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology, February 27-28, 2015. |
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2013 |
Organized a symposium on education and gave the Keynote Speech titled "Challenges Facing Christian Education of Youth" (Arabic). Sympoisum: Christian Education Workshop for Teachers of the Elementary and Secondary Schools in Lebanon and Syria, at the University of Balamand, St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology, September 3- 5, 2013. |
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EDITORIAL BOARD AND PEER-REVIEWD COMMISION MEMBERSHIP |
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2020-present |
Teologie şi Viaţă: Member of the Peer-Review Commission, Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Iasi Academic Journal. |
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2014-present |
The Annals of St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology: Editorial Board Member of the academic journal of the Institute of Theology at the University of Balamand. |
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2010-present |
The Patriarchal Journal of the Patriarchate of Antioch: Editorial Board Member of the official journal of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, Damascus. |
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ACADEMIC RESEARCH RELATED TO THE CHURCH |
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2019-2020 |
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY SYNODICAL SESSION COORDINATOR: Organizational and Follow-up Committee of the Synodical Session on marriage the family held in October 2019 at the Institute of Theology and overseeing the publication of a booklet on the Sacrament of Marriage by the Holy Synod. |
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2013-present |
GENERAL PATRIARCHATE'S DIRECTORY COMMITTEE MEMBER: Patriarchal Committee for the Preparation of the General Patriarchate's Directory. |
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2013-2014 |
CONFERENCE ON ANTIOCHIAN UNITY COORDINATOR: Organizational Committee of the Conference on Antiochian Unity, held in June 27, 2014, at the University of Balamand. |
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2014-2016 |
THEOLOGICAL COMMITTEE ON THE COUNCIL OF CRETE MEMBER: Theological Committee for the analysis and documentation of the papers delivered in the Council of Crete and the preparation of the Antiochian Church’s position on the subject. |
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SERVICES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BALAMAND |
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2015-present |
SENATE MEMBER: representing the Faculty of the Institute of Theology. |
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2014-2018 |
RESEARCH COUNCIL MEMBER: The Research Council supports both theoretical and applied research at UOB and connects the university's research activities with national and international research centers, and with major publishing houses. |
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2000-2001, 2005-present |
INSTITUTE COUNCIL MEMBER AND SECRETARY: The Council is the administrative body which supervises the students’ life and the academic operation of the Institute of Theology. |
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2008-present |
FARID & DAAD KARAM RESERVE COMMITTEE MEMBER AND SECRETARY: This committee oversees the activities and premises of the only Reserve owned by the University of Balamand. |
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2014 |
ACADEMIC EDUCATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBER: It was commissioned to study the Implications of E-learning on Teaching Methodology and on Student Learning at the University of Balamand. |
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2012-2015, 2018-present |
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER: The committee oversees student cases related to disciplinary issues and reported by the administrators and professors, such as plagiarism, academic dishonesty, trouble making, or acts of violence. |
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2013-2015, 2019-present |
ACADEMIC COMMITTEE MEMBER: This committee of the Institute of Theology focuses on the academic programs at the Institute which are the Bachelor of Theology, the Master of Theology, and the online study programs. |
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2006-2008 |
PASTORAL FIELD EDUCATION COMMITTEE COORDINATOR: Commissioned to design an innovative proposal for the “New Program of Pastoral Field Education Theology at the Institute of Theology.” The proposal was implemented and has been running as the field education work in practical theology for the Bachelor of Theology students since October 2009. |
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PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS |
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1998-present |
MEMBER, LICENCED MECHANICAL ENGINEER, The Lebanese Order of Engineers, Beirut, Lebanon. |
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2018-present |
FOUNDING AND BOARD MEMBER, International Association of Digital Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care (Athens, Greece), coordinating the efforts of Orthodox digital media in Europe, America, Australia, the Middle East and Africa, towards a more effective articulation of the Gospel message, as well as establishing a coordinated effort to spread the values of the Orthodox Christian tradition. |
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2018-present |
MEMBER, Société Internationale de Théologie Pratique (Allarmond, France), gathering professors from various Christian confessions teaching practical theology. It holds biannual conferences. |
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2017-present |
FOUNDING AND BOARD MEMBER, SAWA for Palliative Care (Broumana, Mount Lebanon), providing free services for terminally ill patients and medical, psychological, and spiritual support for their families. |
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2016-present |
MEMBER, The Network of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Health Care (Athens, Greece), consisting of those that are responsible for pastoral education in the Theological Schools and Ecclesiastical Academies, as well as others that serve and are related to the pastoral care of the sick and medical care. |
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2019-present |
ASSOCIATE SECRETARY GENERAL, The Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), gathering all theological faculties, and institutes in the Middle East to cooperate in educational and theological exchange of resources and experience within the context of the Middle East. |
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PASTORAL EXPERIENCE |
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2003-present |
PRIEST, serving the village of Kaftoun, El-Koura, North Lebanon, Antiochian Archdiocese of Mount Lebanon, Broumana |
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2011-2014 |
LECTURER, Pastoral and Theological Program, Antiochian Archdiocese of Tripoli |
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1997-present |
CONTRIBUTIONS IN CHURCH PASTORAL MAGAZINES: Journal of the Patriarchate of Antioch and Aleppo Archdiocese Journal (Syria); Annour Magazine and Archangel Michael's Monastery Yearly Bulletin (Lebanon); The Word Magazine and Again Magazine (USA). |
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2019 |
MARRIAGE PROGRAM: Gave a program of talks on the subject of “Marriage and Family in the Orthodox Church.” They are posted on the Antiochian Patriarchate Website (https://www.facebook.com/watch/292018570901863/389279695348295/) |
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1998-present |
VARIOUS PASTORAL LECTURES: Delivered lectures on various pastoral topics in parishes of Beirut, Mount Lebanon, North Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates. |
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2007-present |
LECTURER, Marriage Preparation Classes, St. Nicolas Centre, Antiochian Archdiocese of Mount Lebanon, Broumana
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2009-present |
LECTURER & FOUNDER, Marriage Preparation Centre,Sts.Joachim & Anna Centre, Antiochian Archdiocese of Tripoli |
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2005-2007 |
REGIONAL ADVISOR, College Ministry, Mouvement de la Jeunesse Orthodoxe, Batroun Centre. |
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1997-1998 |
DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION & PASTORAL PROGRAM: Antiochian Orthodox Church, Montreal, Canada. Setup a Christian Education Curriculum for the French and Arabic-speaking youth in the Antiochian Church. Organized Sunday Schools. Coordinated events and retreats. Supported troubled youth and families in crisis, and visited abandoned elderly and shut-ins. |
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1996 |
MISSIONARY WORK: Participated in the Mission Outreach Program of the Orthodox Christian Mission Centre (USA) to help the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia after the fall of communism. Assisted in the construction of one Church. Made pastoral visits. Lectured and preached. |
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LANGUAGES |
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Fluent in English, French, Arabic |
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Fair Knowledge of Ancient Greek |
