The Research Center for Religious Studies at Saint Joseph University of Beirut held an academic gathering on February 7, 2024, at the Humanities Campus, to celebrate the launch of the journal Proche-Orient Chrétien (POC) on the Cairn.info platform, a digital library specializing in humanities and social sciences in French.

Among the attendees were Prof. Salah Aboujaoudé SJ, the Vice-Rector and Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Richard Maroun, the Vice-Rector for Research, Prof. Carla Eddé, the Vice-Rector for International Relations, Prof. Sr. Yara Matta, the Vice-Dean of the Faculty and Director of the Higher Institute of Religious Studies, along with members of the POC editorial and scientific committees, researchers, teachers, and students. Some participants joined the event remotely via Zoom.

In his opening speech, Prof. Salah Aboujaoudé underscored the significance of the journal on Cairn, emphasizing it as a pivotal advancement in the Faculty’s dedication to advancing and disseminating knowledge in religious studies and research. He highlighted the importance of the POC journal in showcasing the wealth of content it offers. Following a brief historical context, Prof. Aboujaoudé highlighted how the digital platform has expanded POC’s global reach, facilitating reflection and research on ecclesiological and ecumenical matters in the Middle East, interfaith relations, and the histories of Eastern Churches and Christians.

Prof. Gabriel Hachem, serving as the magazine’s editor-in-chief, stressed that POC transcends mere publication, portraying it as both an ecumenical and academic endeavor. Functioning as an ecumenical mission, POC receives substantial academic backing from the Faculty of Religious Studies and is dedicated to forging strong ties with regional and global ecumenical bodies. It actively encourages members to participate in international theological commissions. In its academic capacity, POC focuses on contemporary theological and ecumenical concerns. By featuring articles on interreligious dialogue and spotlighting the rich theological, patristic, and religious heritage of the East, POC fosters unity and scholarly output in this field.

Chantal Habis Sfeir, Director of the Humanities Library, discussed how the launch of POC on Cairn has led to a significant shift in its editorial strategy. She highlighted how this move has enabled the journal to amplify the impact of its content and adapt to evolving technologies in scientific publishing. This, she noted, contributes to the creation of a new ecosystem. Ms. Sfeir stressed the importance of integrating into electronic resource platforms for survival in the field. She then demonstrated the integration of POC into the Cairn.info platform, emphasizing how it enhances the journal’s visibility and discoverability.

Prof. Souraya Bechealany, Director of the Research Center, announced the publication of ecumenical dialogue documents in Arabic on the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Promotion of Christian Unity website. These documents, including those of the Eastern section and general nature, are accessible under the tab “وثائق باللغة العربية”. The translations were completed by CRSR specialists. Additionally, she announced upcoming book publications and events, notably the International Colloquium on the Role of Women in Church and Society scheduled for June 2024.

Read also in French: Le lancement de Proche-Orient Chrétien sur Cairn.Info
Click here for photos
Click here for press clippings