This booklet is offered as an aid in choosing the readings for a Wedding Mass. It also includes a selection of intentions for the prayer of the faithful, and poignant blessings and reflections.

This article introduces and translates “A Treatise on the Parables of our Lord” by Rev. Fredrick Gustavus Lisco of Berlin. The treatise defines and traces the history of parables. Using critical sources, he explores New Testament parables.

The author provides the biography of Socianism founder Faustus Socinus. The article provides a partial translation of his posthumously compiled “Racovian Catechism” from the original Polish with the intention of revealing information about Socianism.

This volume incorporates all the articles and reviews published in Volume 10 (2010) of the Journal of Hebrew Scriptures.

The Syriac Book of Steps collects 30 memre by an anonymous late 4th century author in Persia. It describes the struggle of an actual Christian community, not an idealized one, to live a life in the pursuit of perfection in the midst of a hostile culture. The author details the aspirations and standards of the two ranks of Christians prior to the advent of monasticism: the Upright—married people who work and perform acts of charity—and the Perfect who are celibate, do not work, but live a life of prayer, wandering through the region teaching and mediating conflicts.

This is a preliminary study of aspects of the spiritual development of Hindiyya ‘Ajaymi, a Syro-Lebanese religious woman who lived from 1727–98. Highlights include her mystical experiences as well as later compositions for her religious community.

Van Rompay discusses Jacob of Sarug’s understanding of sin by interweaving a conversation with 4th-century Ephrem’s influence and Jacob's late 5th-century contemporary thinker, Narsai. Critical to this discussion is their assumption of Adam’s created capacities.

Brock provides an indispensable bibliographic resource for Jacob of Serugh scholarship. This guide lists Jacob's mimre by biblical passage and liturgical events, uplifted saints and topics, other works including prose and letters, and recommended secondary sources for further study.

Some of John of Dara’s 9th century treatises survive in Codex 356 in Mardin, in which Jacob of Serugh is called “Jacob of Batnan”, “Jacob”, and titles of respect. This article describes Jacob’s significant influence, comparing two-verse homilies in detail.

Jacob of Serugh's Armenian version of “Homily on Good Friday” is most likely from the reign of Gregory III Pahlawuni (1113–1166 AD). Mathews provides its transcription, commenting that scholarship is widely unaware of Jacob of Serugh’s existing works in Armenian.

Credited by Dinno as the epitome of Syriac spiritual heritage, Mor Jacob of Serugh interpreted the physical world with the hidden realities of God. A prominent theme in Mor Jacob's mimre is the economy of salvation.

Griffith discusses “On the Singles”, mimre by Mar Jacob of Serugh, for their reflections of Syrian monastic development. Following a biography and detailed literary analysis, Griffith examines the broader context of regional monastic literature for Mar Jacob’s possible influences.

Saints Jacob of Serugh and Severus of Antioch provided monastic interpretations for Syriac Orthodoxy. Bcheiry highlights St. Jacob’s exegesis of Jonah as a spiritual struggle with ascetic appearances. St. Severus address the movement from self-deial to purity in his Lenten homilies.

Jacob of Serugh's “Mimro 95” details the significance of the Eucharist and spiritual benefit for participants. Harrak divides verses of this commentary in order to relate stages of liturgy within the Pre-Anaphoric and Anaphoric services of 6th century Syriac worship.

Syriac tradition remembers sixth century Byzantine emperor Justinian I as the harsh persecutor of the faithful, while his wife Theodora is revered as the “believing queen”, champion and protectress of the dissenting non-Chalcedonian church.

The long career of Jacob of Serugh provides insights into Scripture and tradition expected by homilies as well as information about his audience. In this publication, Harvey discusses Jacob of Serugh’s concern for congregations to balance lifestyle and devotional obligations.