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Photo Exhibit: "Yearning for Peace: Glimpses of the Holy Land"

A photo exhibit featuring the images of Father Johannes M. Oravecz, O.S.B., a monk of the Dormition Abbey in Jerusalem, entitled " Yearning for Peace: Glimpses of the Holy Land", debuted at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois on February 11, 2006. Fr. Johannes, a gifted photographer, whose photographs have been published in Europe, is exhibiting his photos of the Holy Land as a means to raise awareness of and support for Beit Benedict (House of Benedict) Interfaith Peace Academy located at the Dormition on Mt Zion in Jerusalem. The photo exhibition, which includes images of a Palestinian soldier lighting a candle in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Jewish men in prayer at the Western Wall and irenic scenes of the Sea of Galilee, was sponsored by Benedictine University, the Slovak American Cultural Society of the Midwest and the Honorary Consul of Slovakia of Illinois. Abbot Dismas Kalcic, O.S.B., of St. Procopius Abbey and Abbot Claude Peifer, O.S.B., of St. Bede Abbey attended the gallery opening and benefit dinner.

     During the dinner, Fr. Johannes spoke of the charism of his community to be bearers of peace. "In 2006 we celebrate 100 years since the founding of the Benedictine abbey at the Dormition. Through the grace of God, our community has survived on the front lines of 3 wars, through military occupation and several uprisings. It seems miraculous that we remain as the Benedictine, Catholic presence on the site nearest to the Upper Room - where the Risen Christ blessed the frightened apostles and all of humanity with His peace. Because of our history and our location, we Benedictines, of the Dormition, led by our Abbot Benedikt Lindemann, feel called to be an oasis of peace. Many in this troubled land have found us to be just that."

     The hope for Beit Benedict was first expressed at a gathering of Palestinian and Israeli youth who, requested that the Benedictine community continue to provide a place where the possibility of peace can be dreamed, discussed and prayed for. In a land where walls and borders separate, Beit Benedict will offer neutral and holy ground for those seeking peace to come together for spiritual, educational and cultural programs. Building plans include an auditorium, conference rooms, guest accommodations, dining facilities and a meditation room, where people of all faiths may come to experience God's presence as they seek peace in an atmosphere of inter-religious reverence.

     The abbey has acquired the land, building permit and architectural designs. Funds have been raised in Germany for the endowment of Beit Benedict, however, 14 million dollars still needs to be raised for construction.

Host "Yearning for Peace: Glimpses of the Holy Land" Photo Exhibition in Your Community

The photograph exhibition is a program of Beit Benedict in that it promotes understanding by providing images of the people of the Holy Land and inviting the viewer to contemplate peace. The photos can be exhibited in a parish, school, university or community center as means of raising awareness of and financial support of Beit Benedict. To learn more about supporting Beit Benedict, through hosting a photo exhibition, please contact our liaisons in the United States, Jim and Helene Paharik by email at hpaharik[at]gmail[dot]com .