Concise Teachings of Christianity for Orthodox Families and Schools

In this book, Matti Moosa provides an introduction and a translation of Rev. Bulus Behnam's work Al-Banafsaja al-Dhakiyya fi Khulasat al-Ta'alim al-Masihiyya li al-'A'ilat wa al-Madaris al-Orthodoxiyya (The Fragrant Violet: Concise Christian Teachings for the Use of the Orthodox Families and Schools), originally published in Mosul in 1946. The book, published while Behnam (later Metropolitan of Iraq) was Principal of St Ephraim's Seminary in Mosul, was intended to meet the needs of Syrian Orthodox families and schools for instructions on their Christian faith and its principles as held by their Church. It contains a wealth of knowledge of the basic principles of the Christian faith based on the Holy Scriptures, showing that the Syrian Church considers the Holy Bible its sole authority for salvation. Traditions are accepted and revered by this Church, which uses them as an illustration of the faith. Indeed, reading this small volume, one must conclude that Jesus Christ alone is the central object of the Bible, and that there is no salvation without him. In brief, the book contains the major institutes of the Christian faith held by the Syrian Church.