Re: [nascas] Digest for nascas@googlegroups.com - 16 updates in 2 topics

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Paul Stevenson

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Jul 13, 2026, 3:47:44 PM (22 hours ago) Jul 13

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Rest in peace, Father Sidney. He was my professor of Syriac and chairman of my dissertation committee when I graduated in 2013.

Paul S. Stevenson

On Monday, July 13, 2026 at 03:42:06 PM EDT, nas...@googlegroups.com <nas...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

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Sad News: Fr. Sidney H. Griffith (1938–2026) - 7 Updates
John the Theologian - 9 Updates

Sad News: Fr. Sidney H. Griffith (1938–2026)

Nathan Tilley <nate....@gmail.com>: Jul 13 12:08PM -0700

Dear Colleagues,

I write with a heavy heart to share the news that Fr. Sidney H. Griffith,
Professor Emeritus of Semitics at the Catholic University of America,
passed away on July 1, 2026 in Maryland.

Fr. Griffith was born in 1938 in Gaithersburg, Maryland where he attended
school until 1952 when he began studies at the John Carroll High School in
Washington, DC. He subsequently joined the Missionary Servants of the Most
Holy Trinity and attended the congregation’s minor seminary in Alabama and
major seminary in Monroe, Virginia. He was ordained as a priest in 1965.

In 1965, Fr. Griffith began the first of his many years at the Catholic
University of America by earning an M.S. in Library Science and a
Licentiate in Sacred Theology the following year (1966). Fr. Griffith then
began studies in the Department of Semitic and Egyptian Languages and
Literatures where he would remain for the rest of his career. He earned his
PhD in Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures in 1978. Fr. Griffith
joined the faculty of Catholic University in 1977 and was promoted to
ordinary professor in 2001. He held this position until his retirement in
2014.

Fr. Griffith was internationally renowned as a scholar of Syriac and early
Arabic Christianity. His numerous scholarly works include studies of the
famous Syriac thinker Ephrem the Syrian, early Syriac asceticism, early
Arabic Christian theology, and interreligious dialogue and spirituality.
Fr. Griffith was the author of over 130 articles and seven books, including
the award-winning *The Church in the Shadow of the Mosque: Christians and
Muslims in the World of Islam* (2008); *The Bible in Arabic* (2013); *Yahyā
ibn ʿAdī, The Reformation of Morals: A Parallel English-Arabic Text
Translated and Introduced *(1992); and *A Treatise on the Veneration of the
Holy Icons Written in Arabic by Theodore Abû Qurrah, Bishop of Harrān (c.
755–c. 830 A. D.)* (1997). His Marquette Lecture of 1997 was published as *Faith
Adoring the Mystery: Reading the Bible with St. Ephraem the Syrian.*

Numerous institutions have recognized Fr. Griffith for his work. He was
awarded fellowships from Dumbarton Oaks, the Hebrew University of
Jerusalem, and the Institute for Advanced Studies. From 1986 to 1988 he was
President of the North American Patristics Society; he also served as
president of the Byzantine Studies Conference (1990–1991) and of the
American Oriental Society (2007–2008). In 2009, he received a Rumi Peace
Award for his work in interfaith dialogue. For over a decade he was a
member of the Eastern Orthodox-Roman Catholic Dialogue and was a frequent
participant in various forms of Christian-Muslim dialogue.

Fr. Griffith was a pillar of the Catholic University of America community,
having served as chair of the Department of Semitic and Egyptian Languages
and Literatures for three terms, as director of the Center for the Study of
Early Christianity from 1984–1999, and as secretary of the Institute of
Christian Oriental Research for decades. He trained numerous graduate
students in the languages and literatures of the Christian Near East, many
of whom went on to become notable scholars in the field.

Colleagues, students, and friends remember Fr. Griffith for his engaging
conversations and his scholarly generosity. Fr. Griffith was always eager
to work through a text with students or colleagues, sharing their curiosity
and offering insights from his immense learning. His generosity, knowledge,
and humility will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

May his memory be eternal.

With much sadness,
Nathan
__________________________________________________
Nathan Tilley, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Ancient and Medieval Languages and
Cultures
Director, Institute of Christian Oriental Research
Director of Graduate Studies, Program in Early Christian Studies
The Catholic University of America
Washington, DC
Email: til...@cua.edu

S. Keating <stke...@gmail.com>: Jul 13 07:18PM

Thank you, Nathan, for this. I am heartbroken that I will not have one more conversation with Fr Sidney. He will be missed by so many.
May the Angels lead him into Paradise.
Sandra

Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>
________________________________
From: nas...@googlegroups.com <nas...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Ayman Ibrahim <aibr...@sbts.edu>
Sent: Monday, 13 July 2026 15:14:41
To: nas...@googlegroups.com <nas...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [nascas] Sad News: Fr. Sidney H. Griffith (1938–2026)

This is truly heartbreaking. Just an hour ago, I was holding one of his books and reflecting with deep admiration on his remarkable scholarship. Father Sidney was not only a top-notch scholar, but also a genuinely sweet, caring, and humble man. His wisdom, kindness, and faithful witness touched so many lives. He will be deeply missed. May he rest in the peace of the Lord, whom he loved and served so faithfully.

Ayman S. Ibrahim, Ph.D.

Bill and Connie Jenkins Professor of Islamic Studies

Director, Jenkins Center for the Christian Understanding of Islam

Director, Research Doctoral Studies

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Amazon Page<https://www.amazon.com/Ayman-S-Ibrahim/e/B07935NFX6/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1> | Academia Page<https://haifa.academia.edu/AymanIbrahim> | SBTS Page<https://www.sbts.edu/academics/faculty/ayman-s-ibrahim/> | Jenkins Center<https://jenkins.sbts.edu/> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/al2ostaz> | Office: 502-897-4319

My Recent Books: Sharia versus the U.S. Constitution<https://www.amazon.com/Sharia-Versus-U-S-Constitution-Americans/dp/1949123383> (Think and Tell, 2026) | A Medieval Case for Islam’s Superiority<https://www.amazon.com/Medieval-Case-Islams-Superiority-al-Layth/dp/1481322001/ref=sr_1_16?crid=2U7K5AO7NRLK9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4KvUNJwCcviZXUzGyGepX3ksGB91TceUqszUCUHGbPjHYd4d7ntec9yBAoV0juTn_AMhxxUkZ7C443AZ3bThgIrebVZjNmH_9I9VLh2DHgpXAY75TTpbPvLEb0NAtrvc2eVDdkkhYErikz7uv-itc7IjGUl3g96iJuo1vy_d41cUqSMTxu7uWPEdLMZpn8SieiASJxRmiP4otkBPh_pnuUCa3fOqB8d_XwFOR_zpsE8.ujOELZVFgKaUPacp8erD_f4IL9yIPVyu1FOekQecBo0&dib_tag=se&keywords=ayman+s.+ibrahim&qid=1723568565&sprefix=ayma%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-16> (Baylor University Press, 2025) | Muhammad’s Military Expeditions<https://www.amazon.com/Muhammads-Military-Expeditions-Critical-Original/dp/0197769179/ref=sr_1_1?crid=33M55YGT4LG4W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xZASLLK47zRu3vVGt2_CmHjaxNPaNSUFDhcErGPiVe989_Fm3Cvd0KqTgj3UuClVzIFMJYg0bReCDQki7UtdlZq_ZfjvERUE13gsUila8ndA7etPMtMeEQdbPW4LgJZMnvvh1XutmFUt74OUx66ZnW5kt1A2-Xd9c4inCams4n3kdbRL4eh5ZtSlvb5m8R0eKFZwBfZ5W6UytvPCiH_Q7UpwtSviX36FrgpcRtm6_Lc.NF5L4oeCz3khybvLVkH5WCLrpW4cQd2T2ShDenUnt0w&dib_tag=se&keywords=Muhammad%E2% 80%99s+Military+Expeditions&qid=1718380788&sprefix=muhammad+s+military+expeditions%2Caps%2C260&sr=8-1> (Oxford University Press, 2024) | Introducing Islam<https://www.amazon.com/Introducing-Islam-Set-Ayman-Ibrahim/dp/1540967212/ref=monarch_sidesheet> (Baker Academic, 2020–2024) | Islam and the Bible<https://www.amazon.com/Islam-Bible-Questioning-Muslim-Translations/dp/108777022X/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=XlORd&content-id=amzn1.sym.add701ed-2d82-4af9-b095-43fa71d1fb4e%3Aamzn1.symc.0be80b80-fece-46bc-88bd-c8e6394f049e&pf_rd_p=add701ed-2d82-4af9-b095-43fa71d1fb4e&pf_rd_r=KRSDVWCRK08179AE4EF6&pd_rd_wg=iHpst&pd_rd_r=687fac18-21cc-4186-badc-6143dce3c18c&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_atf_m> (B&H, 2023) | A Concise Guide to Islam<https://www.amazon.com/Concise-Guide-Islam-Defining-Introducing/dp/1540966666/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=SJ9t3&content-id=amzn1.sym.5f7e0a27-49c0-47d3-80b2-fd9271d863ca%3Aamzn1.symc.e5c80209-769f-4ade-a325-2eaec14b8e0e&pf_rd_p=5f7e0a27-49c0-47d3-80b2-fd9271d863ca&pf_rd_r=5D2WZKZ57PP3BB7TBSWV&pd_rd_wg=Fi0no&pd_rd_r=ac8b902d-8abd-4474-afdb-44a3d462006a&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_atf_m> (Baker Academic, 2023) | Reaching Your Muslim Neighbor<https://www.amazon.com/Reaching-Your-Muslim-Neighbor-Gospel-ebook/dp/B09SBRVLV9/ref=rvi_sccl_4/144-7163454-9584333?pd_rd_w=vNXNx&content-id=amzn1.sym.f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&pf_rd_p=f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&pf_rd_r=TJC6CBEYVZ973CSXRJ6Y&pd_rd_wg=C6uLT&pd_rd_r=bfe8d133-53d9-4911-bc70-10d5de07d117&pd_rd_i=B09SBRVLV9&psc=1> (Crossway, 2022) | Medieval Encounters: Arabic-speaking Christians and Islam<https://www.gorgiaspress.com/medieval-encounters> (Gorgias, 2022) | A Concise Guide to the Life of Muhammad<https://www.amazon.com/Concise-Guide-Life-Muhammad-Answering/dp/1540965074/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=> (Baker Academic, 2022) | In Search of the True Religion<https://www.gorgiaspress.com/in-search-of-the-true-religion> (Gorgias, 2022) | Conversion to Islam<https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0197530710?pf_rd_r=YAFHSJ3JV1PCMX3SGJ85&pf_rd_p=5ae2c7f8-e0c6-4f35-9071-dc3240e894a8&pd_rd_r=944c288a-2659-4656-a1b4-d088f0fa963e&pd_rd_w=NGeLA&pd_rd_wg=mJiyZ&ref_=pd_gw_unk> (Oxford University Press, 2021) | Basics of Arabic<https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310093287/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i3> (Zondervan, 2021) | Modern Standard Arabic Workbook<https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Standard-Arabic-Workbook-Questions/dp/B0FJSBF5MM/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image> (2025) | A Concise Guide to the Quran<https://www.amazon.com/Concise-Guide-Quran-Ibrahim/dp/154096292X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=> (Baker Academic, 2020) | The Stated Motivations for the Early Islamic Expansion<https://www.amazon.com/Stated-Motivations-Islamic-Expansion-622-641/dp/1433135280/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=> (Peter Lang, 2018) | Muslim Conversions to Christ<https://www.amazon.com/Muslim-Conversions-Christ-Critique-Movements-dp-1433154307/dp/1433154307/ref=mt_other?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=> (Peter Lang, 2018)

Forthcoming Publications: An Early Muslim Disputation with Jews and Christians (2026); A Critical Edition, Translation, and Analysis of an Early Shiite Polemical Text against Christianity (2027); Medieval Encounters II: Arabic-speaking Christians and Islam (2027); A Concise Guide to Christian-Muslim Apologetics (2028)

On Mon, Jul 13, 2026 at 3:08 PM Nathan Tilley <nate....@gmail.com<mailto:nate.tilley@gmail.com>> wrote:
Dear Colleagues,

I write with a heavy heart to share the news that Fr. Sidney H. Griffith, Professor Emeritus of Semitics at the Catholic University of America, passed away on July 1, 2026 in Maryland.

Fr. Griffith was born in 1938 in Gaithersburg, Maryland where he attended school until 1952 when he began studies at the John Carroll High School in Washington, DC. He subsequently joined the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity and attended the congregation’s minor seminary in Alabama and major seminary in Monroe, Virginia. He was ordained as a priest in 1965.

In 1965, Fr. Griffith began the first of his many years at the Catholic University of America by earning an M.S. in Library Science and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology the following year (1966). Fr. Griffith then began studies in the Department of Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures where he would remain for the rest of his career. He earned his PhD in Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures in 1978. Fr. Griffith joined the faculty of Catholic University in 1977 and was promoted to ordinary professor in 2001. He held this position until his retirement in 2014.

Fr. Griffith was internationally renowned as a scholar of Syriac and early Arabic Christianity. His numerous scholarly works include studies of the famous Syriac thinker Ephrem the Syrian, early Syriac asceticism, early Arabic Christian theology, and interreligious dialogue and spirituality. Fr. Griffith was the author of over 130 articles and seven books, including the award-winning The Church in the Shadow of the Mosque: Christians and Muslims in the World of Islam (2008); The Bible in Arabic (2013); Yahyā ibn ʿAdī, The Reformation of Morals: A Parallel English-Arabic Text Translated and Introduced (1992); and A Treatise on the Veneration of the Holy Icons Written in Arabic by Theodore Abû Qurrah, Bishop of Harrān (c. 755–c. 830 A. D.) (1997). His Marquette Lecture of 1997 was published as Faith Adoring the Mystery: Reading the Bible with St. Ephraem the Syrian.

Numerous institutions have recognized Fr. Griffith for his work. He was awarded fellowships from Dumbarton Oaks, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the Institute for Advanced Studies. From 1986 to 1988 he was President of the North American Patristics Society; he also served as president of the Byzantine Studies Conference (1990–1991) and of the American Oriental Society (2007–2008). In 2009, he received a Rumi Peace Award for his work in interfaith dialogue. For over a decade he was a member of the Eastern Orthodox-Roman Catholic Dialogue and was a frequent participant in various forms of Christian-Muslim dialogue.

Fr. Griffith was a pillar of the Catholic University of America community, having served as chair of the Department of Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures for three terms, as director of the Center for the Study of Early Christianity from 1984–1999, and as secretary of the Institute of Christian Oriental Research for decades. He trained numerous graduate students in the languages and literatures of the Christian Near East, many of whom went on to become notable scholars in the field.

Colleagues, students, and friends remember Fr. Griffith for his engaging conversations and his scholarly generosity. Fr. Griffith was always eager to work through a text with students or colleagues, sharing their curiosity and offering insights from his immense learning. His generosity, knowledge, and humility will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

May his memory be eternal.

With much sadness,
Nathan
__________________________________________________
Nathan Tilley, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Ancient and Medieval Languages and Cultures
Director, Institute of Christian Oriental Research
Director of Graduate Studies, Program in Early Christian Studies
The Catholic University of America
Washington, DC
Email: til...@cua.edu<mailto:tilleyn@cua.edu>

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Prof. Dr. Najib George Awad <najeeb...@gmail.com>: Jul 13 09:25PM +0200

Oh Jesus. What shattering and devastating news. May his soul rest in peace.
We lost a true patriarch in the field whose thought was a referential
educating fountain to me and I believe to many others. I will never ever
forget his very positive and support of my habilitationsschrift on Theodore
Abu Qurra and that he was the external reader and evaluator of the text. I
lost a mentor, an intellectual inspirer and a friend!…. To the heavenly
court of almighty and graceful, father Sidney

Najib George Awad

*Najib George Awad (Dr. Phil; Dr. Theol. Habil)*
Associate Researcher
Center for Comparative Theology and Social Issues (CTSI)
Bonn University, Germany

Associate Researcher
Institute for Eastern Christian Studies (IvOC)
Radboud University, Netherlands

Emails: najeeb...@gmail.com
*na...@uni-bonn.de <na...@uni-bonn.de>*

LinkedIn: https://uni-bonn.academia.edu/NajibGeorgeAwadDrPhilDrTheolHabil

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St. Shenouda the Archimandrite Coptic Society <htak...@yahoo.com>: Jul 13 07:31PM

Dear Colleagues,I am very sad to such news. I first met Fr. Griffith in1992 at the Coptic Congress at CUA, then in Birmingham, UK at another Symposium. Christian Arabic Studies has indeed lost one of its pillars. May the Lord repose his soul and give comfort to his family and the students that benefited from his immense scholarship.Sincerely,Hany
Hany N. Takla, PresidentSt. Shenouda the Archimandrite Coptic Society1701 S Wooster St.LOS ANGELES CA 90035-4332USAhttps://marquistopeducators.com/2025/10/23/hany-takla/

On Monday, July 13, 2026 at 12:08:29 PM PDT, Nathan Tilley <nate....@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Colleagues,
I write with a heavy heart to share the news that Fr. Sidney H. Griffith, Professor Emeritus of Semitics at the Catholic University of America, passed away on July 1, 2026 in Maryland.
Fr. Griffith was born in 1938 in Gaithersburg, Maryland where he attended school until 1952 when he began studies at the John Carroll High School in Washington, DC. He subsequently joined the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity and attended the congregation’s minor seminary in Alabama and major seminary in Monroe, Virginia. He was ordained as a priest in 1965.
In 1965, Fr. Griffith began the first of his many years at the Catholic University of America by earning an M.S. in Library Science and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology the following year (1966). Fr. Griffith then began studies in the Department of Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures where he would remain for the rest of his career. He earned his PhD in Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures in 1978. Fr. Griffith joined the faculty of Catholic University in 1977 and was promoted to ordinary professor in 2001. He held this position until his retirement in 2014.
Fr. Griffith was internationally renowned as a scholar of Syriac and early Arabic Christianity. His numerous scholarly works include studies of the famous Syriac thinker Ephrem the Syrian, early Syriac asceticism, early Arabic Christian theology, and interreligious dialogue and spirituality. Fr. Griffith was the author of over 130 articles and seven books, including the award-winning The Church in the Shadow of the Mosque: Christians and Muslims in the World of Islam (2008); The Bible in Arabic (2013); Yahyā ibn ʿAdī, The Reformation of Morals: A Parallel English-Arabic Text Translated and Introduced (1992); and A Treatise on the Veneration of the Holy Icons Written in Arabic by Theodore Abû Qurrah, Bishop of Harrān (c. 755–c. 830 A. D.) (1997). His Marquette Lecture of 1997 was published as Faith Adoring the Mystery: Reading the Bible with St. Ephraem the Syrian.
Numerous institutions have recognized Fr. Griffith for his work. He was awarded fellowships from Dumbarton Oaks, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the Institute for Advanced Studies. From 1986 to 1988 he was President of the North American Patristics Society; he also served as president of the Byzantine Studies Conference (1990–1991) and of the American Oriental Society (2007–2008). In 2009, he received a Rumi Peace Award for his work in interfaith dialogue. For over a decade he was a member of the Eastern Orthodox-Roman Catholic Dialogue and was a frequent participant in various forms of Christian-Muslim dialogue.
Fr. Griffith was a pillar of the Catholic University of America community, having served as chair of the Department of Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures for three terms, as director of the Center for the Study of Early Christianity from 1984–1999, and as secretary of the Institute of Christian Oriental Research for decades. He trained numerous graduate students in the languages and literatures of the Christian Near East, many of whom went on to become notable scholars in the field.
Colleagues, students, and friends remember Fr. Griffith for his engaging conversations and his scholarly generosity. Fr. Griffith was always eager to work through a text with students or colleagues, sharing their curiosity and offering insights from his immense learning. His generosity, knowledge, and humility will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
May his memory be eternal.
With much sadness,Nathan__________________________________________________Nathan Tilley, PhDAssistant Professor, Department of Ancient and Medieval Languages and CulturesDirector, Institute of Christian Oriental ResearchDirector of Graduate Studies, Program in Early Christian StudiesThe Catholic University of AmericaWashington, DCEmail: til...@cua.edu

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Tomas Samuel <tomas....@hotmail.com>: Jul 13 07:35PM

Dear Colleagues, Mentors and Friends,

I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Fr. Sidney Griffith. As a young researcher, I feel that I have lost a role model before I had the chance to learn even more from his example. His scholarly work and generous intellectual presence were an inspiration, and his legacy will continue to shape many of us who follow in his footsteps �.
May God grant comfort to his family, peace to all who mourn him, and may his memory remain a blessing.

Tomas Samuel
PhD Candidate
Lecturer, Apologist and Researcher
Christian-Muslim Relations

Sent from my Galaxy

-------- Original message --------
From: "'St. Shenouda the Archimandrite Coptic Society' via North American Society for Christian Arabic Studies" <nas...@googlegroups.com>
Date: 7/13/26 9:31 PM (GMT+01:00)
To: nas...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [nascas] Sad News: Fr. Sidney H. Griffith (1938–2026)

Dear Colleagues,
I am very sad to such news. I first met Fr. Griffith in1992 at the Coptic Congress at CUA, then in Birmingham, UK at another Symposium. Christian Arabic Studies has indeed lost one of its pillars. May the Lord repose his soul and give comfort to his family and the students that benefited from his immense scholarship.
Sincerely,
Hany

Hany N. Takla, President
St. Shenouda the Archimandrite Coptic Society
1701 S Wooster St.
LOS ANGELES CA 90035-4332
USA
[X]https://marquistopeducators.com/2025/10/23/hany-takla/

On Monday, July 13, 2026 at 12:08:29 PM PDT, Nathan Tilley <nate....@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Colleagues,

I write with a heavy heart to share the news that Fr. Sidney H. Griffith, Professor Emeritus of Semitics at the Catholic University of America, passed away on July 1, 2026 in Maryland.

Fr. Griffith was born in 1938 in Gaithersburg, Maryland where he attended school until 1952 when he began studies at the John Carroll High School in Washington, DC. He subsequently joined the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity and attended the congregation’s minor seminary in Alabama and major seminary in Monroe, Virginia. He was ordained as a priest in 1965.

In 1965, Fr. Griffith began the first of his many years at the Catholic University of America by earning an M.S. in Library Science and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology the following year (1966). Fr. Griffith then began studies in the Department of Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures where he would remain for the rest of his career. He earned his PhD in Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures in 1978. Fr. Griffith joined the faculty of Catholic University in 1977 and was promoted to ordinary professor in 2001. He held this position until his retirement in 2014.

Fr. Griffith was internationally renowned as a scholar of Syriac and early Arabic Christianity. His numerous scholarly works include studies of the famous Syriac thinker Ephrem the Syrian, early Syriac asceticism, early Arabic Christian theology, and interreligious dialogue and spirituality. Fr. Griffith was the author of over 130 articles and seven books, including the award-winning The Church in the Shadow of the Mosque: Christians and Muslims in the World of Islam (2008); The Bible in Arabic (2013); Yahyā ibn ʿAdī, The Reformation of Morals: A Parallel English-Arabic Text Translated and Introduced (1992); and A Treatise on the Veneration of the Holy Icons Written in Arabic by Theodore Abû Qurrah, Bishop of Harrān (c. 755–c. 830 A. D.) (1997). His Marquette Lecture of 1997 was published as Faith Adoring the Mystery: Reading the Bible with St. Ephraem the Syrian.

Numerous institutions have recognized Fr. Griffith for his work. He was awarded fellowships from Dumbarton Oaks, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the Institute for Advanced Studies. From 1986 to 1988 he was President of the North American Patristics Society; he also served as president of the Byzantine Studies Conference (1990–1991) and of the American Oriental Society (2007–2008). In 2009, he received a Rumi Peace Award for his work in interfaith dialogue. For over a decade he was a member of the Eastern Orthodox-Roman Catholic Dialogue and was a frequent participant in various forms of Christian-Muslim dialogue.

Fr. Griffith was a pillar of the Catholic University of America community, having served as chair of the Department of Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures for three terms, as director of the Center for the Study of Early Christianity from 1984–1999, and as secretary of the Institute of Christian Oriental Research for decades. He trained numerous graduate students in the languages and literatures of the Christian Near East, many of whom went on to become notable scholars in the field.

Colleagues, students, and friends remember Fr. Griffith for his engaging conversations and his scholarly generosity. Fr. Griffith was always eager to work through a text with students or colleagues, sharing their curiosity and offering insights from his immense learning. His generosity, knowledge, and humility will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

May his memory be eternal.

With much sadness,
Nathan
__________________________________________________
Nathan Tilley, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Ancient and Medieval Languages and Cultures
Director, Institute of Christian Oriental Research
Director of Graduate Studies, Program in Early Christian Studies
The Catholic University of America
Washington, DC
Email: til...@cua.edu

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John the Theologian

sitkwa ... <sit...@gmail.com>: Jul 12 11:43PM +0200

Dear Slavomir,

I have often encountered this expression in the litugical texts of the
Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, rendering the Greek *parthenos, *referring
to Saint John the evangelist.

Unfortunately I cannot give you any references off the top of my head at
the moment.

All good wishes,
igumen Andrew (Wade)

On Sun, 12 Jul 2026 at 20:22, Slavomír Čéplö <bulbult...@gmail.com>
wrote:

Alexander Treiger <fralex...@gmail.com>: Jul 12 06:47PM -0300

Should be البتول, I think...

sitkwa ... <sit...@gmail.com>: Jul 12 11:49PM +0200

Yes, it should!
A

On Sun, 12 Jul 2026 at 23:48, Alexander Treiger <fralex...@gmail.com>
wrote:

Slavomír Čéplö <bulbult...@gmail.com>: Jul 13 10:13AM +0200

ܷDear Andrew, dear Alexander,

thank you both! I assumed that was the case, but wanted to check just in case.

Best wishes,

Slavomír

Ádám Gacsályi-Tóth <adam.gac...@gmail.com>: Jul 13 11:58AM +0200

Hi Slavomír,

I have also been considering this question, as I recently encountered a
Maronite exegetical text that describes John as a virgin. Specifically, in
its interpretation of John 19:26-27, the text explains that Jesus entrusted
Mary to John to entrust one virgin to another, and attributes this
interpretation to a certain تاوفيلقتوس.
Unfortunately I have not been able to identify who this person is exactly,
perhaps someone in this group can provide further insight.

Best,
Adam

Slavomír Čéplö <bulbult...@gmail.com> ezt írta (időpont: 2026. júl.
13., H, 10:13):

A N <alen.n...@gmail.com>: Jul 13 12:16PM +0200

Hi, Ádám!

It's probably bl. Theophylact of Ohrid/Akhrida/Justiniana Prima/Bulgaria -
he has exactly this interpretation in his commentary on John.

Best,
Alen

пн, 13 июл. 2026 г. в 11:59, Ádám Gacsályi-Tóth <adam.gac...@gmail.com

Ádám Gacsályi-Tóth <adam.gac...@gmail.com>: Jul 13 03:06PM +0200

Hi, Alen!

Thank you, I found his commentary online!

Best,
Ádám

Elie Estephan <elie...@gmail.com>: Jul 13 02:13PM -0400

I agree with Alexander. It is البتول (with T). We in Antioch refer to him
as Youhanna Albatoul. John the virgin.

I hope this helps.
best regards,
Fr. Elie Estephan

On Sun, Jul 12, 2026 at 5:48 PM Alexander Treiger <fralex...@gmail.com>
wrote:

Stephan Huller <stephan....@gmail.com>: Jul 13 11:37AM -0700

The virginity of John is much earlier than that. Goes back to ante-Nicene
times. Do you need me to provide the references or do you know how to
search for yourself? Lot's and lot's of references to the perpetual
virginity of John back I think to Leucius Charinus's Acts of John. Perhaps
even older.

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