POIRS, January 30 – February 1, 2025
The Pontifical Oriental Institute of Religious Studies (POIRS) hosted a prestigious Syriac Symposium from January 30 to February 1, 2025, bringing together 350 participants including scholars, theologians, and researchers from around the world. The symposium featured 67 paper presentations, covering a wide range of topics on Syriac heritage, liturgy, theology, and history.
Inauguration
The symposium was inaugurated on January 30, 2025, by His Beatitude Mar Raphael Thattil, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church and Chancellor of POIRS, in the presence of eminent scholars and dignitaries. The inaugural session included a presidential address by Mar Thomas Tharayil, Metropolitan Archbishop of Changanacherry and Vice Chancellor of POIRS.
Scholarly Discussions and Paper Presentations
The symposium was structured into multiple Plenary Sessions, Short Paper Presentations, and Case Studies, offering deep insights into Syriac studies. Notable presentations included Ephrem the Syrian’s Vision of the Church, Inculturation in the East Syriac Liturgy, and Priestly Spirituality in Syriac Traditions.
Scholars from renowned institutions such as the Pontifical Oriental Institute, Oxford University, University of Marburg, JNU New Delhi, Villanova University, and SEERI Kottayam contributed to the discussions. The sessions fostered dynamic exchanges on Syriac manuscripts, theological interpretations, and the historical influence of Syriac Christianity.
Concluding Ceremony
The symposium concluded on February 1 at 1:00 PM, with a valedictory address by Prof. Dr. C.T. Aravindakumar, Vice Chancellor of M.G. University, Kottayam. He highlighted the growing global interest in Syriac studies and the need for further academic collaboration.
This three-day academic gathering served as a vital platform for advancing Syriac theological research and strengthening interdisciplinary dialogues in the field of Eastern Christianity.
Plenary Sessions
- The Concept of Bishop in the Hymns of St. Ephrem – Prof. Dr. Emidio Vergani, Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome
- East Syrian Lectionary System: A Critical Appraisal – Mar Pauly Kannookadan, Bishop of Irinjalakuda
- Inculturation in the East Syriac Liturgy in Central Asia and China – Dr. Baby Varghese, Orthodox Seminary, Kottayam
- Syriac Culture in Kerala: Past, Present, and Future – Prof. Dr. Alain Jacques Desreumaux, CNRS, Paris
- The Garment of Salvation: Ephrem the Syrian’s Vision of the Church through the Robe of Glory – Mar Joseph Srampickal, Bishop of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain
- Ephrem the Syrian on Church and Emperor – Prof. Dr. Karl Pinggera, University of Marburg
- St. Thomas Christians and the Networks of the Early Syriac Christian Communities in the Indian Ocean (100-1000 AD) – Prof. Dr. Pius Malekandathil, JNU, New Delhi
- The Ecclesial Implications of St. Ephrem the Syrian’s Eucharistic Theology – Dr. Jaisy A. Joseph, Villanova University, USA
- Restoration of Syriac Manuscripts – Prof. Marie Vinourd, France
- Syriac Heritage: An Enrichment for the Kerala Culture – Dr. Alain Desreumaux & Dr. Jacob Thekkeparampil
- Priestly Spirituality according to Mar Narsai of Nisibis – Prof. Dr. Mateusz Rafal Potoczny, University of Opole, Poland
- Syriac Heritage of St. Thomas Christians: A Historical Study – Mar Joseph Perumthottam, Archbishop Emeritus, Changanacherry
- Trinitarian Imprint for Salvation in Syriac Theology – Prof. Dr. Thomas Kollamparampil CMI, DVK, Bengaluru
- Theology of Sacraments of Initiation in the Early Syriac Tradition – Dr. Jiphy Mekkattukulam, Syro-Malabar Church
Short Paper Presentations
- Exploring Special Moral Themes in the Liturgical Texts of Mar Addai and Mar Mari, Mar Theodore, and Mar Nestorius – Prof. Dr. Scaria Kanniyakonil, St. Thomas Ap. Seminary
- Monophysites or Miaphysites – Simon Hansbauer, Philipps-Universität, Marburg
- Being Human is Being Humble: Re-reading the Virtue of Humility in Aphrahat, the Persian Sage – Dr. Manoj Thattassery, St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary
- Conscience as the Celebration of Life in Christ: Syro-Malabar Qurbana’s Perspective on Christian Ethics – Prof. Dr. Paulachan Kochappilly CMI, DVK, Bengaluru
- Liturgy and the Syriac Culture of Marthoma Nasranis: An Abounding Experience – Prof. Dr. P.C. Aniyankunju, Former Principal, St. Aloysius College, Edathua
- Gematria and Divine Symbolism: Numerological Expressions in Syriac Theology and Poetry – Fr. Justin Neelankavil, Chaldean Church of the East, Trichur
- St. Ephrem of Nisibis and the Nicene Creed – Prof. Dr. Thomas Kuzhuppil, POIRS
- Paradise, Kingdom, and Way as Imageries in the Writings of Narsai of Nisibis – Dr. Binu Mathew Kulathingal, Pope Benedict Institute
- Interrelatedness between Church and Eucharist in the Writings of St. Ephrem – Dr. Varghese Kochuparambil, POIRS
- Mystery as a Process of Deification in Syriac Theology – Dr. George Kuzhippillil, Good Shepherd Institute of Theology
- Qudaša: The Anabatic and Katabatic Dimensions of the Holy Spirit in the East Syriac Qurbana – Prof. Dr. Pauly Maniyattu, POIRS
- The Rite of Qsaya: Its Position and Significance in the Holy Qurbana – Dr. Peter Kannampuzha, St. Mary’s Forane Church, Pallipuram
- Notion of Kahnutha in the East Syriac Qurbana – Dr. Francis Pittappillil, POIRS
- Images of Baptism in the East Syrian Baptismal Euchology – Dr. Jose Kochuparampil, POIRS
- Theological Significance of the Feast of Denho in the East and West Syriac Traditions – Dr. Stephen Plathottam OIC, SEERI, Kottayam
Case Studies
- Biblical and Patristic Basis of Subaa Prayer in the East Syriac Tradition – Sr. Kochuthresia MTS, POIRS
- Syriac Malapanite in Kerala – Dn. Gregory George Ninan, Orthodox Seminary, Kottayam
- With her ear, Mary saw: A Mariological Symbol Reflecting on St. Ephrem’s Theology of Hope in the Jubilee Year 2025 – Bro. Joseph Maranattu, St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary
- Theology of Body in St. Ephrem – Fr. Joseph Thachara, POIRS
- Letter of Mar Jacob from Kollam in the year 1504 – Josekutty Abraham
- Ecclesial Identity of the Mar Thoma Church in the Context of the Syriac Tradition – Fr. Daniel T. Philip, POIRS
- Monasticism of St. Thomas Christians – Sr. Alphonse FCC, POIRS
- Uniqueness of the Architecture of Syro-Malabar Church – Amal Joseph
- Ephrem’s Theology of Symbols and its Relevance – Bro. John Kattrukudiyil, St. Thomas Ap. Seminary
- Cyrillonian Vision on the Celebrated Biblical Episode of Foot Washing – Sr. Agnel CMC, Paurastya Vidyaniketan
- Christology in the Odes of Solomon – Sr. Irene CMC, POIRS
- Syro-Malabar Versions of the East Syriac Liturgy of the Hours – Fr. Joseph Puthoor, POIRS
- The Order of the Sacrament of Initiation in Syriac Tradition up to the 16th Century – Bro. Joseph Vattakalam, Good Shepherd Major Seminary
- From Altar to World: Unveiling the Missionary Heart of the St. James Liturgy – Bro. Justin J. Sam, Mar Thoma Seminary
- Liturgical Significance of Makshanitha – Antony George
- A Brief Study of Karshon based on Vedatharkkam – Fr. George Ponnamvarickayil, POIRS
- Eschatological Thrust of the East Syriac Liturgy – Sr. Sharon SH, POIRS
- Revisiting Mar Thoma Sleeva based on the Syriac Theology of the Cross – Fr. Michael Thomas, POIRS
- Biblical and Liturgical Foundation of the Feast of Denha – Sr. Irene Maria MLF, Paurastya Vidyaniketan
- Relevance of Malka in the Syro-Malabar Church – Dr. Febin