Institute of Theology

Rev. Dr. Bassam A. Nassif

Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology

Work: 06930305

EDUCATION

2008-2012

Doctor of Ministry – Pastoral Care & Marital Counselling
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Thesis: Marital Conflicts: Redeeming Relationships in Lebanese Context”

 1994-1998

Master of Divinity (with high distinction)
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Boston, MA, USA
Award: Who Is Who in America.
Thesis: ‘On the Confirmation of the Law of Moses, the Gospel and Orthodoxy.’ A Treatise written in Arabic by Theodore Abu Qurrah, Bishop of Harran (c.755-c.829).

 1989-1993

Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering
University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Award: The General Motors of Canada Engineering Award of Excellence.

ACADEMIC COORDINATION

2015-present

Academic Coordinator of the Bachelor of Theology Program

2013-present

Academic Coordinator of "Kalima e-Learning Theology Program in Arabic."

ACADEMIC TEACHING EXPERIENCE

2011-present

Assistant Professor

St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology, University of Balamand

2005-2011

Lecturer

St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology, University of Balamand         

Courses Taught:

2005-Present

Bachelor of Theology

-   Introduction to Pastoral Life (THEO205)                              Year: Second
Subjects: Biblical Roots of Ministry, Developing Pastoral Consciousness, Counseling, Priesthood, and Parish contemporary issues of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch.

-   Elements in Pastoral Care (Distance Learning, KLMA228) Year: Second
Subjects: Biblical Roots, History of Pastoral Care, Royal Priesthood, Pastoral Issues such as Authority, Money, Christian Education, Heresies, Family Care, and Case Studies.

-   Family Pastoral Care (THEO289)                                             Year: Third
Subjects: Marriage Preparation, Marriage Enrichment, Conflict Resolution, Divorce issues, Personal Status Law of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate Orthodox of Antioch, and Case Studies.

-    Social & Family Care (THEO284)                                                   Year: Third
Subjects: Diakonia and philanthropia in the Orthodox Church. Social, psychological, and health needs. Family care, living a Christ-focus healthy marriage and family relationships. 

-   Homiletics (THEO285)                                                            Year: Fourth
Subjects: Preaching in Holy Scripture, Prophetic Tradition, Patristic Tradition, Legacy of St. John Chrysostom, Preaching Forms and Styles in Sermon, Speech Communication, and Public Speaking Skills.

-   Pastoral Field Training I (THEO287)                                     Year: Third
Subjects: Coordinating supervised pastoral work in parishes. Conducting seminars on issues related to Priestly Ministry.

-   Pastoral Field Training II (THEO288)                                   Year: Fourth
Subjects: Coordinating supervised pastoral work in social institutions. Conducting seminars on issues related to social care.

2012-Present

Master of Theology

- Family Pastoral Theology and Contemporary Challenges
Subjects: Presenting Pastoral Care challenges, Marital Relations, and Health Ethical Issues Facing the Family in a Postmodern World

-   The Bible in Pastoral Care
Subjects: Teaching exegetical methods for various pastoral cases and situations.

-   Addiction: Spiritual Healing and Patristic Views
Subjects: Addiction from medical, psychological and spiritual perspectives, with concentration on contemporary spiritual Fathers of the Orthodox Church.

ACADEMIC ACTIVTIES & various publications

Books Published

1996

‘On the Confirmation of the Law of Moses, the Gospel and Orthodoxy’
Pastoral Treatise by Theodore Abu Qurrah, Bishop of Harran (c.755-c.829). This book, originally my Master’s Thesis, was published as an e-book in 1996 by TREN, Portland, OR, USA, 1996: http://www.tren.com/

On-going Project

2015

Pastoral Implications of Postmodernity on Marriage and Family Life: The Orthodox Church’s Perspective.

Chapters in Books

2011

Conferences

2017

Contribution Title: Hope in the Horror of War.” Conference Title: “Rekindling Hope.” Organized by the Academic Network of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Health Care - 4^rd International Conference – Rhodes11-15 October 2017.

2016

Contribution Title: “Googling the Truth: Educating our Youth on Wisdom and Discernment.” Conference Title: “International Congress of Theology: Religious Education of Youth in Today’s Secularism.” Organized by the Patriarchate of Romania and the Faculty of Theology of the University of Bucharest, September 3-7, 2016.

2015

Contribution Title: “Pastoral Mercy and Matrimony: An Orthodox Perspective.” Conference Title: “Mercy and Forgiveness:  XXIII International Ecumenical Conference on Orthodox Spirituality.” Organized by the Monastery of Bosé, Italy, September 9-12, 2015.

Contribution Title: “Discernment: Spiritual Eyeglasses for Web Surfers.” Conference Title: “Living Water: First International Conference on Media and Orthodox Pastoral Care.” Organized by the Pemptousia Internet Network and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Athens, Greece, 7-9 May 2015.

Contribution Title: “The Role of Priests in Supporting the Families of the Disabled Persons.” Conference Title: “Pastoral Seminar on Disability.”  Organized by the St John of Damascus Institute of Theology, University of Balamand, and the Ecumenical Network In Support for the Disabled Persons, Balamand, May 9-10, 2015.

Contribution Title: “The Orthodox Church’s View on Organ Donation.” Conference Title: “Organ Donation: Religious Views.” Organized by the University of St. Joseph, Beirut, Lebanon-February 2015.

2014

2013

2012

Contribution Title: “Priesthood & Ministry in St Ephrem the Syrian and St John Chrysostom.”  Conference Title: “Exegetical Schools of Antioch, Edessa, and Nisibis.” Organized by the St John of Damascus Institute of Theology, University of Balamand, Lebanon, February 2012

Contribution Title:  “Preparing a Couple for a Mixed Marriage in Lebanon: A Case Study in Pastoral Education.” World Council of Churches Joint Inter-Faculty Course, Balamand, April, 2012

2009

Contribution Title:  “The Rhetoric Style of St John of Damascus.” Conference Title: “St John of Damascus: Theology, Image & Melody.” Organized by the St John of Damascus Institute of Theology, University of Balamand, Lebanon, December 2009.

2007

Contribution Title: “Defending the Faith Using Logic and Pastoral Arguments: Theodore Abu Qurrah's Innovation.” Conference Title: “Byzantium in the Early Islamic Syria,” Organized by the University of Balamand and the American University of Beirut, Lebanon.

2004

Contribution Title: "Religious Dialogue in the Eighth Century." Conference Title: “VIIth International Conference of Arabic Christian Studies,” University of Saint Joseph, Saydet El-Bir, Lebanon.

Research Articles in Academic Journals

2017

Pastoral Implications of the Trauma of War

The Case of Lebanon (Arabic)
Annals of St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology, Vol. 11, 2016.

2013

The Social View of the Orthodox Church: Faith and Practice (Arabic)
Annals of St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology, Vol. 10, 2013.

2012

The Person & Work of Priests (English)
Annals of St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology, Vol. 9, 2012

2010

Church and Nature (Arabic & English). A 7-Year Plan for Generational Changes for a Living Planet, University of Balamand, Institute of The Environment, June 2010

2007

Toward Reinstituting the Kiss of Peace in the Liturgy (Arabic)
Annals of St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology, Vol. 8, 2007

2005

Religious Dialogue in the Eighth Century (English)
Parole de l’Orient Journal, Vol. 30, 2005.

Light for the World: The Importance of of St. Gregory Palamas (1296–1359) (English)
AGAIN Magazine, Vol. 27 No. 1, Jan-Mar 2005.
Antiochian Archdiocese Website, 2005: http://www.antiochian.org/gregory-palamas

2004

The Internet in the Service of Pastoral Work (Arabic)
Al-Bishara Pastoral Journal, Aleppo, Syria, Vol. 3, No. 2, 2004.

2003

An Eighth Century View on the Interpretation of the Gospel  (Arabic)
University of Balamand Website: http://www.balamand.edu.lb/theology/articlesacd.htm

Seminars

Workshops

Organized and Gave the Keynote Speech "Challenges Facing Christian Education of Youth" (Arabic), in Christian Education Workshop for Teachers of the Elementary and Secondary Schools in Lebanon and Syria. University of Balamand, St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology, September 3-5, 2013.

Church Pastoral Magazines

2012

Pastoral Letters/Manuscripts of St. Joseph of Damascus (Arabic)
The Patriarchal Journal of the Patriarchate of Antioch, No. 5 &6, 2012.

Accompanying the Sick in Hospitals (Arabic)
The Patriarchal Journal of the Patriarchate of Antioch, No. 3, 2012.

2011

Marital Conflicts and Harmony (Arabic)
The Patriarchal Journal of the Patriarchate of Antioch, No. 7,  2011.

Directives for Homiletics (Arabic)
The Patriarchal Journal of the Patriarchate of Antioch, No. 4-5, 2011.  

2008

Helping Children in Grief (Arabic)
Annour Magazine, Vol 64, No. 8,  2005

2005

Spiritual Life of Chidlren (Arabic)
Annour Magazine, Vol 61, No. 6.

2004

The Crown of Martyrdom. Christian Witness for our Days: Cancer Patients
Annour Magazine, Vol. 60, No. 9.

2003

Preaching Through Cinematography (Arabic)
Annour Magazine, Vol. 59, No. 4.

St. Ephrem the Syrian: A Distinguished Writer (English)
Archangel Michael's Monastery Yearly Bulletin, 2003.

2002

The Historical Development of the Holy Diaconate in the Orthodox Church (Arabic)
Annour Magazine, Vol. 57, No. 4, May 2002.

The Role of Women in the Antiochian Orthodox Church (Arabic)
The Patriarchal Journal of the Patriarchate of Antioch, Vol. 11, No. 2, 2002.

St. Mary the Egyptian & the Spirit of this Age (English)
The Word Magazine, Vol. 46, No. 4, April 2002.

St. Julian of Homs: Martyrdom, Pain and Love (English)
AGAIN Magazine, Vol. 24, No. 4, Oct-Dec 2002.

Bishop Theodore Abu Qurrah: Revisiting His Biography (English)
AGAIN Magazine, Vol. 24, No.1, Jan-Mar 2002.

2001

The Cyberspace & the Church (Arabic)
Annour Magazine, Vol. 57. No. 6, 2001

St. Andrew the Hymnographer, Author of the Great Canon (English)
AGAIN Magazine, Vol. 23, No. 1 Jan-Mar 2001.

2000

St. Isaac the Syrian & Unbinding Love (English)
AGAIN Magazine, Vol. 22, No. 2 Jan-Mar 2000.

1999

St. George the Trophy Bearer: A Saint for Middle Easterners? (English)
The Word Magazine, Vol. 43 April 1999.

1997

The Ministry of Reconciliation in Antioch (English)
The Word Magazine, Vol. 41, May 1997.

Newspapers

2010

“Seminary Studies in Lebanon,” Interview in Annahar, October, No 3, 2010.

“The Date of Pascha,” Interview in Annahar, March 27, 2010.

2009

“Antiochian See Monasteries,” Book Review, Annahar, February 2007.

Pastoral Experience

2011-2014

Lecturer, Pastoral Program, Antiochian Archdiocese of Tripoli

2003-present

Pastor, Village of Kaftoun, El-Koura, North Lebanon

2007-present

Lecturer, Marriage Preparation Classes, St. Nicolas Centre, Antiochian Archdiocese of Mount Lebanon, Broumana

2009-present

Lecturer & Founder, Marriage Preparation Program, Sts. Joachim & Anna
Centre, Antiochian Archdiocese of Tripoli

2000-present

Pastoral Lectures: Delivered lectures on various pastoral topics in the following parishes: Amioun St Mary, Amioun St Marina, Anfeh, Batroumine, Batroun, Beit Mery, Beshmizzine, Bsarma, Bterram, Chekka, Deddeh, Dekwaneh, Douma, Jounieh, Kfarhatta Kfaraaka, Kfarhazir, Kfarkahel, Kosba, Minieh, Naccache, Rasmaska, Samiryiah.

2005-2007

Regional Advisor, College Ministry, MJO, Batroun

1997-1998

Director of Christian Education & Pastoral Program: Antiochian Orthodox Church, Montreal, Canada. Set up a Christian Education Curriculum for the French and Arabic-speaking youth in the Antiochian Church. Organized Sunday Schools. Coordinated events and retreats. Supported troubled youth and families in crisis, and visited abandoned elderly and shut-ins.

Summer1996

Mission Work: Participated in the Mission Outreach Program of the Orthodox Christian Mission Centre (USA) to help the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia after the fall of communism. Assisted in the construction of one Church. Made pastoral visits. Lectured and preached.

MEMBERSHIPS & ACTIVITIES

1998-present

Member, The Lebanese Order of Engineers, Beirut, Lebanon

2008-present

Executive Secretary, Farid & Daad Karam Reserve Committee, University of Balamand

1991-1992

Regional Editor, Project Magazine, the national magazine for undergraduate engineers in all Canadian universities

1990-1991

Educational Commissioner, New College, University of Toronto, Canada. Organized educational events and activities, and wrote articles in the New Edition local newspaper

Languages

Fluent in English, French, Arabic
Fair knowledge of Ancient Greek and basic knowledge of Modern Greek