The event brought together students of theology and their professors from all the theological centres of the patriarchate and of different congregations from the Holy Land. The event was graced by the presence of his Beatitude Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, as the chief guest.
After the introduction by Fr. Andrzej Toczyski the Principal of the STS, in which he defined the purpose of the synodal meeting, a prayer opened the session. The Patriarch of Jerusalem then delivered a speech in line with the International Theological Commission’s document of 2018: Synodality in the Life of the Church. The Patriarch gave a brief history of the Synod in the church and commented on the image that guides the Synod process in the Holy Land i.e., the image of the disciples on the way to Emmaus.
Fr David Neuhaus S.J., a professor of the STS and at the same time the coordinator of the Synod Preparatory Committee, introduced the speakers and highlighted the important issue of learning to listen during the Synodal journey.
The following topics were then presented by the Synodal Committee members:
- Amjad Sbarra OFM: The Synod and the Mission of the Church
- Sawsan Bitar: The Synod, Women and Ecumenism
- Ms Nadine Bitar: The Synod, Youth and the Laity
- Dima Ezrohi: The Synod, Hebrew Speakers, Migrants and Diversity
- Dima Kalak: The Synod and the Marginalized
After the above interventions, there was an open forum for questions and comments.
This successful event concluded with a few remarks from the Patriarch and his blessing.