The Benedictus, a Jewish-Christian Amidah?

The Ecumenical Theological Research Fraternity in Israel invites you to a
lecture in the 2024-25 series entitled “Archaeology, Theology and the Bible.”

The Benedictus,
a Jewish-Christian Amidah?
A Study of Luke 1:68-79 in the Light of the Jewish Prayer”

Fr. Dr. Cristóbal Vilarroig,
LC Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, Rome

Zoom Webinar 18 December 2024, 20:00 Israel Time (13:00 EST; 19:00 European Time)

Recently we heard about Fr. Cristóbal’s magnificent defense of his doctoral thesis at the École Biblique et Archéologique in Jerusalem earning him the highest grade, summa cum laude. His research investigates the relation between the Jewish Priest Zechariah’s prayer, the Benedictus, and the Jewish Amidah.

In Fr. Cristóbal’s own words:

As the conclusion of the narrative about John the Baptist’s birth, St. Luke places a prayer in the mouth of his father, Zechariah: the so-called Benedictus (Luke 1:68-79). In Western churches, this prayer has traditionally been recited daily towards the end of the morning prayer, up to the present day. Many authors have noted similarities between the Benedictus and one of the most significant prayers in Judaism: the Amidah (also known as the Shemoneh Esreh, or simply, the Prayer). Through a thorough comparison of these two prayers, I explore if there is a direct relationship of these two prayers, to conclude that the Benedictus is essentially an adaptation of the Amidah to the Christian belief that the Messiah (referred to in both prayers as the Davidic Horn of Salvation and Sprout) has already arrived.

Fr. Cristóbal Vilarroig is a Catholic priest belonging to the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ. Born in Castellón de la Plana (Valencia, Spain) in 1980 he holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy from the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum and a Master’s degree in Biblical Sciences from the Pontifical Biblical Institute. He lived for six years in Jerusalem where he wrote his doctoral dissertation in Biblical Sciences at the École Biblique et Archéologique with the title, “The Benedictus: A Christian Amidah? Study of Luke 1:68-79 in the Light of Jewish Prayer.” He is currently Professor at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome.

You are very welcome to join this lecture which will be illuminated by a lively Power Point Presentation.

Fraternally Yours, Rev. Dr. Petra Heldt