Bethlehem Bible College Celebrates Palestinian Heritage Day with a Lecture on Arab Christian Heritage
Bethlehem Bible College organized a special day for students and staff in celebration of Palestinian Heritage Day, featuring a lecture by Mr. Haitham Dieck titled “Arab Christian Heritage.” The lecture addressed several important themes regarding the meaning and significance of heritage, as well as an overview of the evolution of Arab Christian heritage throughout the ages, from the early Christian era to the present day.
The lecture focused on early Christian heritage, highlighting the importance of historical sites associated with Christ, such as the Church of the Resurrection and the Nativity Church, and how early Christian communities preserved these sacred sites. It also discussed architectural arts and church building, which were influenced by Islamic periods, emphasizing the rich Christian knowledge in this field.
The lecture also addressed the role of monasteries in translating works into Arabic during the eighth century, where they became centers for Arab Christian thought and philosophy, featuring figures like John of Damascus and Theodore Abū Qurrah, among others. It also explored the beginnings of monasticism in Palestine by Saint Hilarion of Gaza. Furthermore, the lecture touched on the art of iconography and highlighted the local understanding that Christ was born in a grotto rather than a stable, a concept introduced by Saint Justin Martyr (Justin the Philosopher).
The lecture further explored the lives of Christians in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, highlighting their role as pioneers of Arab nationalism and among the first to use the term “Palestine” in newspapers, including “Sawt Al-Shaab,” “Filastin,” “Mir’at Al-Sharq,” and “Al-Quds,” among others.
A variety of images showcasing Christian heritage were presented, including embroidery and the significance of the Bethlehem dress, which represents the region’s cultural identity through its unique design that has earned Bethlehem the title of “Little Paris” for its distinctive fashion and artistry.
At the end of the day, everyone shared a traditional Palestinian meal to celebrate this special occasion.