Scholars from 35+ countries adopt declaration to protect Christian heritage

Participants in the congresses in Bucharest signed a joint declaration. Photo: Basilica.ro

In Bucharest, scholars from more than 35 countries adopted a declaration on the protection of Christian heritage. Participants in two major international academic forums signed the document in an effort to preserve the Middle East’s unique Christian sacred and cultural heritage amid geopolitical changes in the region, Basilica.ro reports.

From August 3 to 7, 2026, the World Congress of Syriac Studies and the International Conference on Christian Arabic Studies were held at the Palace of Parliament in Romania. The Levant Institute for Advanced Studies in the Culture of Peace organized the large-scale academic event. Researchers presented more than 300 papers on the history and culture of Eastern Christianity.

The scholars who signed the declaration emphasized the exceptional value of Christian heritage sites in the Middle East. They noted that ancient manuscripts, monasteries, libraries, wall paintings, churches, icons, and liturgical objects bear extraordinary witness to a shared spiritual tradition. Congress participants called on the international community to strengthen cooperation and give priority to joint projects aimed at preserving cultural heritage.

“Protecting Syriac and Arab Christian heritage is not merely a duty to the past,” forum participants stressed in the declaration. “It is also an investment in the future of dialogue among peoples, peace, and mutual respect.”

In a separate section of the declaration, the scholars acknowledged Romania’s special role in supporting academic research into Christianity and promoting active cultural diplomacy. Participants also welcomed the efforts of international organizations, universities, libraries, museums, and Church institutions working to digitize and restore ancient heritage.

The authors of the document expressed hope that the Bucharest Declaration would help foster greater mutual understanding, tolerance, and peace among different communities, denominations, and religions around the world.

As the UOJ previously reported, Iraqi authorities declared the return of Christians a national priority.

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