- Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts - - Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) Faculty of Sciences (FOS) - - Faculty of Engineering (FOE) Faculty of Business and Management - - Faculty of Health Sciences (in Beirut) Faculty of Medicine & Medical Sciences - St. George Faculty of Post Graduate Medical Education     ................................................................................................................................................................................... Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology - Nested on the beautiful hill of Balamand and below the historic Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand lies the school of theology founded by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch. The St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology is a beacon of prayer and learning. The Institute is the culminating point of many years of religious education at the Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand. Monastic "askysis" (exercise and training) is the spiritual path that determines the context in which students grow, whether they prepare themselves for a monastic life or pastoral duties. For this reason, they practice community prayers and seek the guidance of spiritual fathers. The Faculty is a center for teaching and theological research. It is committed to rediscover and revive the Eastern Christian heritage and that of Antioch in particular. The Faculty is aware of the centrality of knowing the Eastern Christian heritage in Greek, Syriac and Arabic. In its historical studies, the Faculty is particularly interested in Near East civilizations and their connection with the Antiochian legacy, in view if their relevance to the understanding of the early foundations of Christianity. The Faculty also focuses on the study of Islam in all its aspects. The Faculty looks after the Department of Clerical Training and relates it to theological studies and research. However, it is focused on a thorough liturgical life and is attentive to ministry in the modern world. The Faculty organizes pastoral sessions within the premises of the monastery or in the various dioceses at the request of their bishops.