April 15–16, 2026
Fairlawn, OH
Guest Speaker
Erin Galgay Walsh
Erin Galgay Walsh is an assistant professor at the University of Chicago Divinity School and the College. She teaches courses on a variety of themes surrounding biblical literature, the history of Christianity, and the ongoing role of biblical interpretation within the modern world. Her research focuses on biblical interpretation, asceticism, and religious literature in the late antique and early medieval world. She has published articles and chapters within edited volumes as well as translations of late antique Christian poetry composed in classical Syriac. Currently, she is working on a book project examining the role of biblical women and female figures in the writings of Narsai of Nisibis, Jacob of Serugh, and Romanos Melodos.
Sessions
Spiritual Vigilance in Ephrem’s Hymns on the Church
Wednesday, April 15
4:45 – 6:00 p.m.
This presentation introduces listeners to the central themes of Ephrem’s Hymns on the Church before taking up the question of the key practices and virtues these works espouse. Of special concern will be the place of fasting in the Christian life and the biblical resources Ephrem’s gathers for exhorting and sustaining believers on the journey toward holiness.
Jacob of Serugh’s mēmrā “On the Sign Our Lord Performed at Cana”
Wednesday, April 15
6:45 – 8:00 p.m.
In this paper, I discuss Jacob’s masterful narration of the events from John 2:1-12. I highlight the key exegetical questions that have arisen in the history of interpretation of this memorable biblical narrative. I offer an overview of Jacob’s verse homily and a focused reading of how Jacob interprets the story from Mary’s perspective, attributing to her elaborate, imagined speeches.
Treasure in Heaven: Jacob of Serugh on the Widow and her Two Small Coins
Thursday, April 16
11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Our exploration of the verse homilies and spiritual vision of Jacob of Serugh. For this presentation, we will examine how Jacob takes up the story of this woman as found in Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4 to think through the demands of Christian living. By attending to the imagery of money and exchange, we will explore how Jacob crafts this biblical figure into a model of faithful living for all Christians.
Holy Foolery: The Syriac Life of the Holy Onesima
Thursday, April 16
1:00 – 2:15 p.m.
Turning from the richness of Syriac poetry to its hagiographical traditions, we will examine the Life of the Holy Onesima, as an example of translation and engaged reception. This example of female holy foolery provides an important window into the reception of a shorter version of her story found in Palladius’s Lausiac History. At the end of the presentation, I will turn to consider the later reception of her story.
2026 Maronite Enrichment Days
Schedule
| Time | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 |
|---|---|
| 3:00 – 3:30 p.m. | Arrival and Seating in Church |
| 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Celebration of the Holy Mysteries Main celebrant: His Excellency A. Elias Zaidan Eparchial Bishop of the Maronite Eparchy of Los Angeles |
| 4:30 – 4:45 p.m. | Refreshment Break |
| Session 1 | |
| 4:45 – 6:00 p.m. | Spiritual Vigilance in Ephrem’s Hymns on the Church |
| 6:00 – 6:45 p.m. | LIght Dinner |
| Session 2 | |
| 6:45 – 8:00 p.m. | Jacob of Serugh’s mēmrā “On the Sign Our Lord Performed at Cana” |
| Conclusion of Day 1 |
| Time | Thursday, April 16, 2026 |
|---|---|
| 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. | Arrival and Seating in Church |
| 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Celebration of the Holy Mysteries Main celebrant: Priodeut Albert Constantine Chancellor, Maronite Eparchy of Los Angeles |
| 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. | Continental Breakfast |
| Session 3 | |
| 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Treasure in Heaven: Jacob of Serugh on the Widow and her Two Small Coins |
| 12:15 – 1:00 p.m. | Light Lunch |
| Session 4 | |
| 1:00 – 2:15 p.m. | Holy Foolery: The Syriac Life of the Holy Onesima |
| Safe Travels and Until Next Year |
Location
Our Lady of the Cedars of Mount Lebanon Maronite Church
507 S. Cleveland Massillon Road
Fairlawn, OH 44333
Accomodations
The organizer has secured the rate of $143 (+tax per night) for April 12 through April 17 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Akron Fairlawn until April 7, 2026. You may book your hotel room online at the DoubleTree by Hilton Akron Fairlawn or by calling (330) 867–5000 (Rate Code: Maronite Enrichment Days). The hotel is 1.8 mile away or a five-minute drive from Our Lady of the Cedars of Mount Lebanon Maronite Church.
Registration Form
Sponsors
Fr. Armando Elkhoury
President, The Hidden Pearl Press
Pastor, Our Lady of the Cedars of Mount Lebanon Maronite Church
His Excellency Bishop Elias Zaidan, Eparchial Bishop,
Maronite Eparchy of Los Angeles
Organizer
Fr. Armando Elkhoury
President, The Hidden Pearl Press
Pastor, Our Lady of the Cedars of Mount Lebanon Maronite Church