A bilingual edition (Syriac and English) of the service of baptism as used by the Syriac Orthodox Church today.

This commentary on Exodus by the highly influential fourth century Syriac writer St. Ephrem, is typical of his exegetical approach, particularly the emphasis on women in the narrative and the similarities to contemporary Jewish interpretations.

This book provides a comprehensive analysis of Animism as a religion and a culture of the Nilotic peoples of the Upper River Nile in modern "Southern Sudan". It gives an account of how the animistic ritual performances of the divine chief-priests are strategies in conflict management and resolution. For centuries, the Nilotic peoples have been resisting changes to new religious identities and conservatively remained Animists. Their current interactions with the external world, however, have transformed their religious identities. At present, the Nilotics are Animist-Christians or Animist-Muslims. This does not mean that the converted Nilotics relinquish Animism and become completely assimilated to the new religious prophetic dogmas, instead, they develop compatible religious practices of Animism, Christianity and Islam. New Islamic fundamentalism in Sudan which is sweeping Africa into Islamic religious orthodoxy, where Sharia (Islamic law) is the law of the land, rejects this compatibility and categorises the Nilotics as "heathens" and "apostates". Such characterisation engenders opposing religious categories, with one side urging Sharia and the other for what this study calls "gradable" culture. Kuel Jok is a researcher at the Department of World Cultures at the University of Helsinki. In Sudan, Jok obtained a degree in English Linguistics and Literature and diplomas in Philosophy and Translation. He also studied International Law in Egypt. In Europe, Jok acquired an MA in Sociology from the University of Joensuu, Finland and a PhD in the same field from the University of Helsinki, Finland.

From when we were very young our grandparents have watched over us and showered us with love. They have laughed with us, cried with us, and prayed with us. Can we ever thank them enough? The Catholic Grandparents Association, set up in 2007, wants to say thanks. The Association appealed to the children of Ireland to write a prayer especially for their grandparents, to thank them, honour them, and remember them if they have passed on. These beautiful prayers poured out love and affection for grandparents, alive and deceased. This very successful appeal resulted in hundreds of submissions nationwide. A selection of these prayers now appears in this publication. A wonderful gift for any grandparent, Prayers for Grandparents treasures these most special of people and the most special of roles they play in our lives.

What strategies can be applied in producing an alternative version of Scripture that is complementary to the existing translation(s) and acceptable to the target audience? This book answers this question by exploring a theoretical strategy for this purpose. On the basis of Christiane Nord’s functionalist theory of translation, the author of this book formulated a Participatory Approach to Bible Translation and experimented with it in translating the book of Jonah into Sabaot, a Kenyan language. This book provides an excellent model for involving communities in the production of Scripture translations.

Dermot Mansfield presents a clear and vivid account of the life of John Henry Newman, a man who was subject to much misunderstanding and suspicion in the Catholic Church. Heart speaks to heart, the motto he chose when made a cardinal late in life, shows that his whole life was interwoven with a range of people, high and low, both Anglican and Catholic. This book offers a fresh perspective on Newman’s life, with contemporary Church issues and questions of faith and unbelief never far from mind. Ultimately, though, it is Newman’s extraordinary care for truth that is apparent throughout. This being the year of Newman’s beatification by Pope Benedict XVI, it is a timely book that tells in a meaningful way the story of his long life.

What was Joseph’s reaction when he arrived home to find Mary pregnant? How did Mary manage to persuade him that her child was none other than the Son of God? The Syriac literary tradition had a unique way of answering these sorts of questions raised by the Bible. Dialogue poems (sughyotho) offer lively, thought-provoking, and often delightful re-imaginings of Biblical events. They expand the Biblical stories, giving the familiar characters more dialogue and describing their inner thoughts. The collection provides five dialogue poems featuring Mary, in Syriac original with facing English translation.

Death is something we all must experience as a part of life, even children, and this book helps them to deal with the acute loss and strong emotions that result from the death of a loved one. It is aimed at children (aged six to twelve), their parents/guardians, teachers and professionals who support children during times of bereavement. The story focuses on how loss affects Joe and Lisa in different ways, but how they both find support and learn how to talk about their feelings. They begin to regain confidence and learn how to be happy again. The story will help children understand and deal with grief and all the emotions that come with it, such as isolation, anger, depression, guilt, fear and insecurity. The book also has a very useful toolbox section, with tips, games and information to help children put into practice what they have learned from the book. It is also supported by a website, which has additional material available for download for both children and parents. ABOUT THE SERIES The books in the Resolving Series are simple, straightforward, but very clever tools. They work to help children realise how the characters in the books reflect their own situation. They explain why they are in the situation and aid them in working out ways of resolving the problems, normally with the help of their parents, teachers, guardians, counsellors and friends. The books also have a very useful toolbox section to help the child/children understand, practice and express their problem and themselves.

Dermot O'Brien invites the reader into a world of beauty through the delicate medium of haiku. A humble form of poetry, haiku, although short in length, are sublime in content. For a poetic form that is so often exclusively associated with Japan, Dermot O'Brien guides the reader effortlessly to a more familiar territory - Ireland.

Authors of the Hebrew Bible had at least 17 different verbs which they could use to represent “leading” or “guiding” in the Hebrew Bible. What are these “verbs of leading” and how are they related to one another? Why did an author choose the particular “leading” verb he chose in a particular context? Every occurrence of a verb of leading in the Hebrew Bible is examined through the lens of semantic-role theory by assigning roles to each of the phrases typically used with the verbs. This study resolves some problem passages and supplements traditional lexicographical research.

This book is about the extraordinary lives and intellectual thoughts of three mystics of the 13th century, whose spiritual influence is still evident today.

Written for those who are affected by the addiction of a loved one, this book sets out the complex realities of dependency by looking at how addiction can become the whole family's illness. It is a no-nonsense guide to where your responsibilities lie when a partner, parent, or child is dependent, detailing the emotional and practical dilemmas these situations can demand. Relatives will find knowledge, understanding, reassurance, and practical advice throughout this book, regardless of their loved one's stage of addiction or recovery.

This enchanting book is a boost and a tonic for the faith we celebrate at Christmas time. Christopher Hayden shows us how immensely relevant, practical and challenging our Christmas faith is. Carefully setting the stage for the birth of the Saviour, he gradually populates the crib with all its different characters, explaining the significance of each one. Each chapter concludes with some points to ponder, making this an ideal book for preachers, as well as for prayers. The book combines sensitivity to the concerns of biblical scholarship with a popular approach style. It is intended to help people enter prayerfully and reflectively into the spirit of Christmas.

This book provides a rich understanding of school bullying and the many forms it takes. The reader will be left in no doubt as to the serious consequences of bullying for the victims, the bullies, and, indeed, society. Crucial and practical steps are provided, especially for parents and teachers, as to how they can make a real difference in reducing the widespread and serious level of victimization and bullying in our schools today.

Mor Ignatius Aphram I Barsoum presents a comprehensive history of the literature of the Syriac tradition.

In the present volume, Hanna Aydin offers a history of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch from its beginning to the late twentieth century.