A clergyman in Jerusalem attempts to revive the language of Jesus

Record ID: 944305

  • Title: A clergyman in Jerusalem attempts to revive the language of Jesus
  • Date: 25th December 2017
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) REVEREND WHO WRITES IN ARAMAIC, DAYROYO BOULUS, SAYING: "Four years ago, God blessed me with several talents, one of these talents is calligraphy. I use calligraphy to write on leather in Aramaic in an attempt to revive the Syriac Aramaic culture through writing it on leather. I also came up with new ideas and things to write on so the Syriac Aramaic language could reach everyone." BOULUS SIGNING HIS NAME ON THE LEATHER PARCHMENT BOULUS PLACING HIS STAMP ON THE LEATHER PARCHMENT (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) REVEREND WHO WRITES IN ARAMAIC, DAYROYO BOULUS, SAYING: "During the Christmas season, we see Santa Claus as he distributes gifts to children who become joyful when they receive gifts such as cars or dolls. I also do my part as someone who uses calligraphy to write leather parchments and give them as gifts to people's homes, to officials, to consulates, restaurants, hotels, friends. When I give them this gift, it brings them happiness because I have given them the word of God during this Christmas season, and when I distribute the word of God it will bring blessings to their homes, so they happily accept the gift." VARIOUS OF BOULUS CUTTING THE LEATHER PARCHMENT BOULUS CARRYING THE LEATHER PIECE AND WRAPPING IT MORE OF BOULUS WRAPPING THE PARCHMENT BOULUS TYING A RIBBON AROUND THE PARCHMENT (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) REVEREND WHO WRITES IN ARAMAIC, DAYROYO BOULUS, SAYING: "I love the Aramaic language because it is the language of Jesus. The language is 5,000 years old, 3000 BC and 2000 AD. This language is special because several books were translated from Aramaic and Greek to Arabic, so the Aramaic language spread our history and cultures to the world. This is why I love this language and try spread it around the world. I also use social media in order to spread this work to the whole world online." BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK (DECEMBER 18, 2017) (REUTERS) CHRISTIAN SOUVENIRS SHOP IN BETHLEHEM BOULUS HANDING THE SLOVAK CONSUL IN THE WEST BANK, GEORGE BETTI, ONE OF HIS ARAMAIC CALLIGRAPHY ITEMS BOULUS EXPLAINING WHAT IS WRITTEN IN ARAMAIC (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SLOVAK CONSUL IN THE WEST BANK GEORGE BETTI, SAYING: "[Reverend Boulus] is creating lovely calligraphy items to revive this language just as Ephrem the Syrian tried to do, Boulus is continuing this at a time when the world has forgotten [the language]." JERUSALEM (DECEMBER 19, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF THE CHURCH OF HOLY SEPULCHRE IN JERUSALEM OLD CITY VIEW OF THE OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM
  • Embargoed: 8th January 2018 10:43
  • Keywords: Ancient language calligraphy Aramaic Jesus Christians
  • Location: JERUSALEM/ BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK
  • City: JERUSALEM/ BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA0027DEU8GL
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Reverend Dayroyo Boulos spends most of his days in a small room in the Syrian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem, writing out prayers using an ancient language which had all but disappeared centuries ago.
    The language, Aramaic, is a Semitic language related to Hebrew and Arabic. It was once the most common language throughout the region, but Arabic largely replaced it after 7th century Muslim conquests.
    Boulus uses calligraphy to write on aged leather parchments, creating pieces that can be displayed in homes and other locations.
    The reverend said he is passionate about the language because he wants to revive the Syriac Aramaic culture.
    "I love the Aramaic language because it is the language of Jesus. The language is 5,000 years old, 3000 BC and 2000 AD. This language is special because several books were translated from Aramaic and Greek to Arabic, so the Aramaic language spread our history and cultures to the world," said the 29-year-old reverend.
    Boulus began by writing Aramaic calligraphy around four years ago. He soon began to use other items to write on, including pieces of wood, small calendars, and even watch dials.
    Most of his creations are handed out as gifts, or given in return for a donation.
    The reverend's latest piece of art was given to the consul of Slovenia in the West Bank just in time for Christmas. The consul, George Betti, said Boulus was continuing the legacy of Saint Ephrem the Syrian, a 4th century deacon and prolific writer of hymns.
    Boulus hopes to continue his work to ensure that this historic language is never forgotten.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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