Sr. Marie-Thérèse Elia is an assistant professor of Syriac patristics in the Department of Religious and Oriental Sciences at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. She joined USEK in 2020.

Her research focuses on the Syriac world, with a particular emphasis on Miaphysitism in northern Syria and Mesopotamia around the time of the Council of Chalcedon. Her doctoral thesis comprised a translation into French and a commentary on the discourse on faith by Jacob of Sarug, centered on Christology. Additionally, she has a keen interest in the texts of controversies between Syriac Christians and Muslims in the early centuries of Islam.

Marie-Thérèse conducts regular courses on the Church Fathers at the Pontifical School of Theology and delivers introductory courses on Christianity in the Department of Religious and Oriental Sciences. As a visiting professor at the Faculty of Theology of Saint Joseph University of Beirut, she teaches a course on Syriac theology.

She is also a cataloguer of Maronite manuscripts for Hill Museum and Manuscript Library) (HMML) and the author of short stories published on the HMML website. Her experience is vital to the ongoing project of creating a catalogue of the Lebanese Maronite Order's manuscript collection, hosted by the USEK Library.

Moreover, Marie-Thérèse is the author of various articles, particularly on Syriac theology. She serves as a columnist for Proche-Orient Chrétien Journal, published in Beirut, and is a member of the editorial committee of the Débats sur l’union entre Rome et les Rūms project (DURR), prepared by the Centre de documentation et de recherches arabes chrétiennes (CEDRAC).

In addition to her academic commitments, Marie-Thérèse is a nun belonging to the Order of Basilian Chouerite Sisters. She teaches catechism and computing at the Notre Dame de la Paix school in Dora. She is also a member of the Secretariat of the University Pastoral in Lebanon and serves as spiritual accompanist for the pastoral musical band.

EDUCATION

• PhD in Theology, Centre Sèvres Facultés Jésuites de Paris – France
• MA in Philology and History of Ancient East, Institut Catholique de Paris – France
• MA in Theology, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) – Lebanon
• BA in Theology, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) – Lebanon