Cernik (IKA) – At the Franciscan monastery in Cernik, not far from Nova Gradiška, a unique biblical-archeological museum exhibition was opened on Friday, April 15. The exhibition provides visitors with insight into the civilization and culture of the Holy Land that played a significant role in the formation of world, European and thus Croatian civilization and culture through the Bible. The main supporter of the project is the Croatian Franciscan Province of SS. Cyril and Methodius. The originator of the idea and author of the exhibition is a member of this province, Fr. Tomislav Vuk, Ph.D., a professor at the Franciscan Biblical Institute in Jerusalem. Prior to the opening ceremonies, the author presented the exhibition at a press conference, followed by a lecturer at the Catholic College of Theology in Zagreb, Fr. Mario Cifrak, Ph.D., and a professor at the Franciscan Biblical Institute in Jerusalem, Fr. Frederic Manns, Ph.D. Dr. Cifrak briefly presented the life and work of the author of the biblical-archeological museum exhibition to the journalists, noting that Dr. Vuk, a Franciscan priest who was born in Cernik, upon completion of his theological studies earned a doctorate in biblical studies in Jerusalem and then a master’s degree in ancient eastern languages in Rome, and is today a professor at the Franciscan Biblical Institute in Jerusalem, where he teaches ancient biblical languages and other related subjects, some archeological and some historical, in addition to Bible study.

The author spoke about the idea, origin, realization and setting up of the exhibition, emphasizing that the idea for a small exhibition of biblical character was born in 1993, on the occasion of the beginning of the renovation of the Cernik monastery. Since then, Dr. Vuk began to collect materials for the exhibition. The museum space is located in the former wine cellar of the monastery, on the ground floor. It contains approximately 500 archeological finds, objects that are connected with the history of the Holy Land, the majority of which Dr. Vuk received as a gift from the Franciscan Biblical Institute in Jerusalem. The oldest archeological objects go back to the Paleolithic Age. In the archeological sense, the exhibition is the only one of its character in Europe, according to Dr. Vuk.

The exhibition attempts to place the beginnings and development of two sister religions, Judaism and Christianity (indirectly Islam) into the context of the times and places in which they originated. This aspect is presented in the first, archeological part of the exhibition. The exhibition consists of a rich collection of authentic archeological objects. These objects are arranged thematically and, according to archeological research, in the most important New Testament sites. An attempt is made to illuminate the places and times of these historical realities, events and people, from which the Bible came as a source of faith, culture and civilization.
The second part is devoted to the Bible as a book, first of all in the original languages — Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek — and in ancient translations, with particular attention to the Latin biblical tradition in the Christian West and, therefore, in our country, and also covers a presentation of the Old and New Testaments. Primary emphasis is not upon scientific theories regarding the origin of the text but the history of their transmission, from the oldest extant manuscripts — papyrus and codices — via this first printing to the most recent scientific critical editions. In this part, the exhibited articles are primarily books: originals and facsimiles.

The third and final part of the exhibition is devoted to presenting how the Bible entered into the Croatian cultural heritage and became an integral part thereof. The most important translations of biblical texts into the Croatian language are presented in original (16th–20th centuries) and facsimile editions, from the earliest partial texts, intended for worship, which represent the beginnings of Croatian literacy, to editions of the whole Bible, all the way to the most recent. Such editions always had a powerful impact upon the Croatian language, literacy, literature and the culture as a whole.

This museum exhibition and the documentation center connected with it should become a source of insight, information, knowledge and the study of the civilization, culture and religion of the ancient Near East for all who are interested, and in a particular way for leaders of religious-pedagogical activities.

Fr. Frederic Manns, Ph.D., spoke about the Franciscan Biblical Institute in Jerusalem and its organization, significance in Bible study and schooling of new biblical experts.

Part of the exhibition had already been accessible to the general public during the past three years, and now the exhibition is presented in its entirety.

At the opening ceremonies, following words of greeting by the provincial of the Croatian Franciscan Province of SS. Cyril and Methodius, Fra Lucije Jagec, the bishop of Požega, Msgr. Antun Škvorčević, addressed those present and emphasized that the exhibition, with its tangible archeological testimony from the Holy Land, texts from the Holy Scriptures that tell of the history of the transmission of the Bible and a presentation of the Bible in the Croatian cultural heritage, provides broad insight into spiritual history and draws the Croatian person closer to the Divine undertaking of salvation. “I rejoice that this was presented in the honorable Cernik monastery, on the territory of the young Požega Diocese, and it will become a strong pastoral tool for all those entrusted with the mission of proclamation: priests, deacons and catechists, as well as students of catechism and other faithful,” said Bishop Škvorčević among other remarks, and added: “Moreover, it will be a lively place of encounters between religion and culture, the dialogue of the sciences and proclamation… May this precious service of God and man that begins here today be blessed.”

Dr. Krešimir Filipec, deputy minister of culture in the Republic of Croatia, and Nikola Jugovič, head of the municipality of Cernik, also spoke. The exhibition was opened by the custos of the Holy Land, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who on this occasion pointed out that Croatians were present at the key moments in the history of the Holy Land and now Croatian Franciscans from the Holy Land are bringing this Holy Land to Croatia. He also expressed the desire and hope that this exhibition would promote the growth of Croatia’s love for the Holy Land, Jesus Christ and the Word of God that grew in the Holy Land.

Among the many distinguished invitees, professors and representatives of cultural, religious and public life, was the auxiliary bishop of Zagreb, Dr. Valentin Pozaić.