HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT

The Department of Biblical Studies has been since the beginning of the establishment of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology, i.e. since 1950, the first, extremely important and always independent department, which formed and still forms one of the cornerstones of Orthodox theology. During its entire period of existence, the heads of the department were: doc. archimandrite Ján Kuchtin, prof. ThDr. Stefan Balogh, prof. Pavol Bobalík, prof. ThDr. Stefan Pruzinsky, CSc. The staff of the department actively participates in domestic and foreign conferences and lectures and strives for cooperation with Orthodox theological faculties in Greece, Poland, Serbia, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, as well as with non-Orthodox theological faculties within the framework of inter-confessional contacts. They provide foreign professional literature for the needs of the department's development. All of them actively solve scientific research projects within the agencies KEGA, VEGA, VGA, as well as institutional projects. In the past, members of the department also managed to draw funds from the Onasis Foundation. All three current members of the department are members of the Scientific Grant Agency of the Orthodox Church at the Metropolitan Council in Prešov. We also strive to cooperate with the committee of the Slovak Bible Society in publishing new translations of the Bible in Slovakia.

INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND DEPARTMENT CHARACTERISTICS

In the past, well-known personalities of the ecclesiastical life of the Orthodox Church in the Czech lands and in Slovakia worked at this department: doc. Archimandrite Cyril, secular name Vasil Mučička, candidate of theology, later Bishop Michalovský. Assistant Professor Radivoj Jakovljevič, candidate of theology, today Bishop ThDr. Simeon, Archbishop of Olomouc-Brno. He worked at PBF for only six years, where since In 1953 he taught the Old Testament. The totalitarian regime made it impossible for him to work at our faculty. Prof. ThDr. Milan Gerka, CSc., Today the rector of the Orthodox Priestly Seminary and the second secretary of the Sacred Synod of the Orthodox Church in the Czech lands and in Slovakia, has devoted his entire scientific and pedagogical life to the study of the Old Testament. The lifelong employee of this department was prof. ThDr. Štefan Pružinský, CSc., Who made a significant contribution, thanks to his publishing activities, and to this day, even in retirement, contributes with his biblical comments mainly to the development of the New Testament biblical study. For many years he served as dean of PBF. The Department of Biblical Studies focuses on the study of the books of the Old and New Testaments. The biblical commentaries of exegetes and biblical scholars represent a great historical and spiritual richness, therefore their study also helps to better understand the texts of the Scriptures. Good knowledge of Scripture in the spirit of Tradition is important for a proper understanding of God's revelation and theology. The study uses the latest results of biblical-critical research in the world. Special emphasis is placed on preaching and catechetical activity, the charitable-social service of the Church based on the Holy Scriptures and the Tradition of the Church.

RESEARCH-PEDAGOGICAL ACTIVITY

The Department of Biblical Studies focuses on the study of Scripture books of the Old Testament and the New Testament. The biblical comments of various authors on the books of the Scriptures on selected texts represent a great historical and spiritual richness, therefore their study also helps to better clarify the texts of the Scriptures. Good knowledge of Scripture in the spirit of Tradition is important for a proper understanding of God's revelation and theology. The study uses the latest results of biblical research in the world. Special emphasis is placed on the preaching and catechetical activity of the Church based on the Holy Scriptures and the Tradition of the Church.

PRIORITY AREAS OF DEPARTMENT RESEARCH

Prof. ThDr. Alexander Cap, CSc. in the field of research 020 The humanities specializes in Orthodox theology, in which he focuses on the Old Testament - especially the general isagogy to the Old Testament and the exegesis of the first book of Moses.

Doc. ThDr. Stefan Pruzinsky, PhD. specializes in Orthodox theology in the field of research 020 Humanities, in which he deals with the New Testament - exegesis and theology. The biblical exegesis of general apostolic letters and the most important events of the Gospel is associated with an interpretation of the New Testament texts that reflects the needs and way of thinking of contemporary modern society and contributes to solving current problems and improving the quality of life of the individual and society as a whole.

Doc. ThDr. Jan Husar, PhD. specializes in Orthodox theology in the field of research 020 Humanities, in which he focuses on the Old Testament - isagogy, exegesis and theology. He also deals with the theological foundations of Orthodox iconography. In the field of research 060 Social and Behavioral Sciences, he deals with the intersection of biblical studies and social work, i. biblical basis of social work.