Mardutho ('knowledge, discipline') is the life of the spirit. — The Book of Beth Gazo (Chants)
Beth Mardutho seeks to promote the study and preservation of the Syriac heritage and language, and to facilitate opportunities for people to pursue the study of this ancient legacy globally. We aim to serve the academic community and the heirs of the heritage.
A Personal Appeal from Beth Mardutho Director, George Kiraz
The holiday season is typically a season of giving and sharing. Take this opportunity to join Bnay Beth Mardutho in order to support the activities of this non-profit institution that is devoted to Syriac. Beth Mardutho operates almost entirly on donations through membership to the Bnay which is usually not sufficient for its annual expenses. Despite this, Beth Mardutho brings you Hugoye twice a year, the Mardu newsletter twice a year, and carries out important projects such as the encyclopedia of the Syriac heritage that is just coming out. Additionally, Beth Mardutho manages this hugoye-list as well as the dorushe group.
A membership of $100 a year comes to $8.33 per month (two cups of coffee, or one if you are a Starbucks fan)! But this $100 will go a long way in supporting the institute. For example, seven such memberships will cover the heating bill for the Beth Mardutho Research Library which holds 11,000 of books (see catalog on the eBetharké page on the Beth Mardutho web site) for one month--and the cold season is approaching! Five members will support the position of an assistant for a month.
If you are a salaried employee (especially in Europe or North America and other —hpefully!—economically viable countries)... if you make regular use of hugoye-list and the Hugoye journal... and if you believe in what Beth Mardutho is doing for Syriac, then consider taking 5 minutes of your time to joing Bnay Beth Mardutho.
You will get a free copy of the Gorgias Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Syriac Hertage as well as a printed-bound copy of Hugoye (their value is ca. $170). We understand that students and members from distant countries may not be able to support.
To join and to see who else is part of the Bnay, click here.
Have a blessed holiday season.
George A. Kiraz Director of Beth Mardutho (volunteer)
The Gorgias Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Syriac Heritage is now in print!
October 14, 2011 - After several years and a great deal of effort by the authors and especially the editors, the Gorgias Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Syriac Heritage is finally at the printer. You can order your copy here. And don't forget that you can get a complimentary copy for joining the Bnay Beth Mardutho.
The Gorgias Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Syriac Heritage (GEDSH) is the first major encyclopedia-type reference work devoted exclusively to Syriac Christianity, both as a field of scholarly inquiry and as the inheritance of Syriac Christians today. In more than 600 entries it covers the Syriac heritage from its beginnings in the first centuries of the Common Era up to the present day. Special attention is given to authors, literary works, scholars, and locations that are associated with the Classical Syriac tradition. Within this tradition, the diversity of Syriac Christianity is highlighted as well as Syriac Christianity’s broader literary and historical contexts, with major entries devoted to Greek and Arabic authors and more general themes, such as Syriac Christianity’s contacts with Judaism and Islam, and with Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, and Georgian Christianities. In addition to the literary tradition, inscriptions and objects of art are given due consideration. The entries are accompanied by 131 illustrations, twenty of which are in color. The volume closes with maps, lists of patriarchs of the main Syriac Churches of the Middle East, and elaborate indices.
Hugoye Author Index
October 10, 2011 - Have you ever found yourself searching for an article in Hugoye, but can't remember which volume it is in? Then we have a brand new reference tool for you! Our new Hugoye Author Index page lists all the articles in Hugoye, organized alphabetically by author. And if you are looking for a title, but don't remember the author, you can use your browser's page search function to find keywords.
Announcements
Syriac Sessions at SBL
If you are planning to attend the annual meeting of SBL in San Francisco this year, make sure to check out all of the papers being delivered on topics pertaining to Syriac. Click here to view a full list of the papers being delivered and make plans to attend.
North American Syriac Symposium
The Sixth North American Syriac Symposium convened at Duke University, June 26-29, 2011. The meeting was a huge success, thanks to the planning of Lucas Van Rompay and many others at Duke.
October 14, 2011 - After several years and a great deal of effort by the authors and especially the editors, the Gorgias Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Syriac Heritage is finally at the printer. You can 
