Pilot Project: Syriac Rum-Orthodox Manuscripts (SYRUM)

The Research Centre for the Christian East (FSCO) has been in contact with the University of Balamand since 2016. Our contact is Dr. Elie Dannaoui, founder and president of the first institute for Digital Humanities in the Arabic world; the institute is associated with the vice-president of the university. The University of Balamand was built from the 80ies onwards under the purview of the Rum-Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch. Within a short time, it developed into a highly regarded institution and has long claimed its place in the educational environment of Lebanon. The denominational character shows itself not just in externalities, but also in their aim for a holistic education, as well as a special focus on social responsibility in theory and practice.

In collaboration with Dr. Dannaoui – who has for this purpose visited Eichstätt twice for consultation with the FSCO – the Research Centre is tasked with the conservation and scientific development of the heretofore largely unknown Syriac part of Rum-Orthodox cultural and faith heritage.

Towards that end, the Research Centre engages with Dr. Dannaoui within the context of a pilot project. In a first step, the written heritage of the Rum-Orthodox community is secured by digitizing manuscript collections in ecclesial and private ownership, as well as archive materials within monasteries. Dr. Andreas Ellwardt has been tasked with the execution of this preliminary project by the FSCO. He is supported by Wolfgang Dickhut, M.A. This is the first phase of a larger project which will also encompass the architectural, artistic and musical heritage, as well as the oral history (including dialects and folklore) within its course.

The pilot project is supported and funded by grants from the Diocese of Eichstätt.