Under the auspices of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, headed by His Grace Bishop Ermia, General Bishop and Head of the Center, held the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of the Jewish Studies Course organized by Aristotle Academy, affiliated with the Center, on Saturday, November 11, 2025, via Zoom.
A total of 92 participants —including priests, monks, and servants—graduated from the program after completing the first level, taught by Deacon Dr. Bishoy Boulos, Professor of the Old Testament and Jewish Studies. In their speeches, the graduates expressed their deep gratitude to His Grace Bishop Ermia for his patronage of the Academy, emphasizing the great academic and spiritual benefits they gained through the course.
The program consisted of 12 online lectures, covering various topics such as the history of the Jewish people, the geography of their settlements, Jewish customs and traditions, and principles of the Hebrew language. This distinguished academic program provided a unique opportunity for a deeper understanding of the Holy Bible from its Jewish roots, exploring the historical and geographical context of biblical events and revealing the symbolic significance of places and their role in the Divine plan of salvation.
The course also shed light on the customs and traditions practiced by Jesus Christ and His disciples, adding a new dimension to the understanding of the New Testament. Furthermore, it highlighted the importance of the Hebrew language in interpreting Scripture and how the development of Jewish thought paved the way for Christianity, affirming the strong interconnection between the Old and New Testaments and the unity of the Holy Scriptures.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, His Grace Bishop Ermia emphasized that this course represents an important educational step for all who seek to deepen their understanding of the Holy Bible, as it offers a rich blend of history, language, and Jewish tradition in a comprehensive learning experience. His Grace also announced the reopening of registration for the next intake of the course and preparations for launching the second level soon, with Aristotle Academy set to announce the official registration details and class dates in the coming days.
