History

1555
Moses of Mardin in Vienna

Moses of Mardin in Vienna

 

 

Syriac studies began with Moses of Mardin visiting Vienna in 1555 where he taught the Syriac language to Western scholars and had the first Syriac Bible printed. At the university of Salzburg, (est. 1662), scholars have worked on Syriac and Oriental Christianity since the 1850’s. This lead to the establishment of the “Department for Eastern Christianity” of the International Forshchungszentrum (IFZ) in 1961, today’s ZECO “Zentrum zur Erforschung des Christlichen Ostens”.

 

1984
Agreement between Pope John Paul II and Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I

Agreement between Pope John Paul II and Patriarch Ignatius Zakka

 

“Bishops are encouraged to promote sharing of facilities for theological education”, common declaration between Pope John Paul II and H.H. Mor Ignatius Zakka I, 23.6.1984.

 

An official agreement between Pope John Paul II and Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I encouraged collaboration in the field of theological education between the Catholic and Syrian Orthodox churches.

 

1985
Establishment of Pro Oriente, Salzburg

Establishment of Pro Oriente, Salzburg

 

 

In 1985 Pro Oriente established a branch in Salzburg.  In 1988 the Syriac Orthodox church was officially recognised in Austria. In 1989 Initiativer Christlicher Orient (ICO), was established as “Friends of Tur Abdin” in Linz, which holds its annual meetings in Salzburg.

 

2002
Syriac Theology in Salzburg

Syriac Theology in Salzburg

 

Photo by Andreas Kolarik/Leo 24.02.2015

 

Dr. Aho Shemunkasho begun working with Prof. Friedrich Reiterer on Ben Sira. In 2005 Prof. Dietmar W. Winkler became professor for ecclesiastical history and patristic studies, with a focus on oriental Christianity. A year later with Dr. Aho Shemunkasho’s appointment as assistant professor, the vision for a dedicated study of Syriac theology came to Salzburg.

 

2007
Project Drafting

Project Drafting

 

 

The project to establish Syriac studies was drafted in discussion with Mor Gregorias Yohanna Ibrahim, (Archbishop of Damascus) and Mor Polycarpus, Dr Augin Aydin, (Archbishop of the Netherlands), among others, and was presented to Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I who encouraged its development.

 

2008
Creation of Syriac Institute

Creation of Syriac Institute

 

 

The Syriac Institute was founded by Prof. Peter A. Bruck with members of the ecumenically committed Catholics of the parish of Maria-Hilf Church, Leopoldskron-Moos. Its aim: to support the establishment of Syriac theological education and help establish a Syriac orthodox student house.

 

2011
Delegation to Salzburg

Delegation to Salzburg

 

 

The Syrian Orthodox Patriarch sent a delegation to Salzburg to discuss the possibility of a student house and study opportunities in Syriac theology. The delegation was welcomed by Dr Alois Kothgasser, (former Archbishop of Salzburg), and members of the theological faculty. In June a second delegation returned to Salzburg with the approval of the patriarch.

 

Creating Bridge

Creating Bridge

 

 

“Syriac Studies as a Bridge”-  Culture, Language and Religion, international conference took place in Mardin, in co-operation with Pro Oriente and Mardin University.

 

2012
Student House

Student House

 


 

The Archdiocese of Salzburg bought a building, (Müllner Hauptstrasse 6), which was offered by the Governor of Salzburg, Dr. Ing. Wilfried Haslauer, in solidarity for the purpose of Syriac studies.

Members of the Syriac church from dioceses in Europe and the States met in St Ephrem monastery, the Netherlands, and agreed to support the establishment of an MA in Syriac Theology and student house.

 

2013
Establishment of STSS

Establishment of STSS

 

 

Suryoye Theological Seminary Salzburg (STSS) a non-profit association was founded by members of the Syrian Orthodox Church in Europe and the USA for the financing of the student house Beth Suryoye.

 

Securing Financing

Securing Financing

 

 

In the same year, federal minister Prof. Dr. Karlheinz Töchterle enabled the provision of Syriac studies from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science and Research. In doing so he secured the financing of a professorship for History and Theology of Orthodox Syriac Christianity at the University of Salzburg for five years, (2014-2019).

 

Art Exhibition

Art Exhibition

 

 

Art exhibition on Tur Abdin in Salzburg.

 

2014
Syrologentag

Syrologentag

 

8th Syrologentag in Salzburg.

 

 
 

2015
Inauguration of Prof. Aho Shemunkasho

Inauguration of Prof. Aho Shemunkasho

 

 

 

Inauguration of Prof. Aho Shemunkasho, as Professor for History and Theology of Syrian Orthodox Theology, and the MA in Syriac Theology. The inaugural ceremony key note lecture was given by Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, with speeches from Archbishop Lackner, Minister Töchterle, Landeshaputmann Dr. Ing. Haslauer, Rector Schmidinger, Prof. Dietmar W. Winkler and Prof. Peter A. Bruck.

 

Opening of Beth Suryoye

Opening of Beth Suryoye

 

 

October 19th Ecumenical prayers in Salzburg cathedral, followed up by the ceremonial opening of Beth Suryoye student house where the Archbishop of Salzburg, Dr Franz Lackner, handed the keys of the house to the Syrian Orthodox Patriarch, Mor Ignatius Aphrem II.

 

2016
Conference in Salzburg

Conference in Salzburg

 

 

“Of safe havens and sinking ships – Middle Eastern Christians and Europe” conference organised by ZECO.

 

International Conference

International Conference

 

“Church of the East in China and Central Asia” international conference organised by ZECO, held in Salzburg – have been taking place every three years since 2003.

 

2018
Renovation of Beth Suryoye

Renovation of Beth Suryoye

 

 

Renovation and adaption of the student house Beth Suryoye (2016-2018) by the Archdiocese of Salzburg, with the support of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Austria, represented by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn.

 

Unity of the Church

Unity of the Church

 

 

“Severus of Antioch and his Search for the Unity of the Church” international conference opened by the Archbishop of Salzburg and the inaugural address by Mor Ignatius Aphrem II.

 

2020
Launch of Syriac Salzburg Website

Launch of Syriac Salzburg Website