By Johanna Erzberger
Director, Theologisches Studienjahr
Less than two months ago, due to the uncertain political situation, the German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst), which funds scholarships for most of our students, advised the Theological Study Year (Theologisches Studienjahr) in Jerusalem to leave Israel until further notice, following consultations with the German Foreign Office. As a result, we relocated our current cohort from Jerusalem—where the semester had already begun in mid-August—to Rome. Now, our time in both locations is nearly equal.
In Rome, as we did four years ago during the Covid-19 pandemic, we are benefiting from the generous hospitality of our parent university, Ateneo Sant’Anselmo, and drawing on many connections established during our previous stay, both within and beyond Sant’Anselmo.
While we hope to return to Jerusalem soon, Rome and Sant’Anselmo have become much more than a temporary refuge. We continue to teach and study biblical studies and archaeology, Christian ecumenism, and interreligious dialogue—much as we did in Jerusalem, but now in a new context.
Running an ecumenical program in Rome comes with its own challenges. However, given that our parent university is just as international as it is “Roman” Catholic, our perspective on ecumenism is also expanding. The interactions between our students and the abbot primate, prior, rector, faculty, and students of Sant’Anselmo have been frequent and inspiring.
While we’ve had to replace our usual excursions, Rome offers its own unique opportunities. Even before the Christian era, Rome and the Levant were deeply connected economically, culturally, and politically, and we are exploring these historical ties. Just as traces of Greek and Roman influence are unmistakable in the Holy Land, Jerusalem’s presence is also felt in Rome—in the depiction of the menorah on the Arch of Titus and in the early history of Christianity.
When we eventually return to Jerusalem, we will carry back something of Rome with us. The bond between the Theological Study Year and Sant’Anselmo has only grown stronger during this time.
A note from Abbot Primate Jeremias Schröder
Sant’Anselmo has now welcomed the Theologisches Studienjahr for the second time. Naturally, these young people are somewhat disappointed, as they set out with entirely different goals in mind. Here at Sant’Anselmo, we try to alleviate some of this initial disappointment with our gentle Benedictine hospitality.
While biblical archaeology in Rome can’t compare to that of the Holy Land, many other experiences that are part of the study year can be conveyed very well in Rome. There are numerous relics and traces of Late-Antique Christianity here, and most Eastern Christian communities also have bases in Rome, allowing encounters with Armenians, Byzantines, and Copts. The global Church becomes tangibly universal here in a way that is rare elsewhere.
For our Anselmianum Benedictine community, it is exciting to interact with such a diverse group from Germany. Many assume that Christianity has already disappeared from Germany, yet these bright and theologically engaged young men and women from various denominations show us that this is not entirely true. Their presence also shakes things up for us a bit and enriches our daily life. I believe this will be a valuable experience for everyone involved!