Originally published October 6, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified October 6, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Comments (0)
E-mail article
Print view
Pope kicks off Bible-reading marathon on Italian television
Pope Benedict XVI's "In the beginning" started off a weeklong Bible-reading marathon on Italian television Sunday.
The Associated Press
ROME — Pope Benedict XVI's "In the beginning" started off a weeklong Bible-reading marathon on Italian television Sunday.
RAI state TV began its program, called "The Bible Day and Night," with Benedict reciting the first chapter of the book of Genesis — the holy text's opening verses about the creation of the world.
The marathon will feature more than 1,200 people reading the Old and New Testament over seven days and six nights.
While the pope recited his segment from the Vatican, most of the reading will be done live in Rome's Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, a basilica built in the fourth century.
Besides Roman Catholics, Members of other religions, including Jews, Protestants and Orthodox Christians, will participate.
Benedict, who appeared on a giant screen mounted in the church to start the marathon, was followed by Bishop Ilarion, a representative of the Russian Orthodox Church. Oscar-winning director Roberto Benigni was also among those reading from the Bible on Sunday.
Every few chapters the reading was being interrupted for religious music, and opera star Andrea Bocelli led the first interlude Sunday by singing Bach's "Praise the Lord."
Addressing faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, Benedict noted the televised marathon would run parallel to a worldwide meeting of bishops on the relevance of the Bible for contemporary Catholics.
The meeting of 253 bishops, known as a synod of bishops, will run from today through Oct. 26.
The marathon is scheduled to end with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican's No. 2 official, reading the last chapter of the Apocalypse.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
More Nation & World headlines...
E-mail article
Print view Share:
Digg
Newsvine
![]()
UPDATE - 04:21 PM
CEO vows better performance as GM exits bankruptcy
Obama plane emergency could have been a disaster
UPDATE - 12:50 PM
Pope presses Obama on abortion, stem cells
UPDATE - 04:21 PM
Cemetery workers made $300K in gravedigging scheme
UPDATE - 04:13 PM
Homeland unveils immigration enforcement plan

Gen. David Petraeus: Iraq and Afghanistan Wars
Watch highlights of General David Petraeus discussing the Iraq and Afghanistan War at the Global Leadership Series sponsored by the World Affairs Council.
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
shopping

events for Friday, Jul. 10th
- Kibbn Storewide Summer Sale
- Impulse + Totokaelo Spring Inventory...
- Market Street Shoes and Market Street...
- Jaxx Boutik Summer Sale
editors' picks
More shopping guides- Worker dies in chocolate vat; plant didn't have license
- Seattle-area homebuilder losing projects to foreclosure
- Health-plan costs soar for individuals
- Chase won't pay for Seattle's Lake Union fireworks next year
- The end of the light-line line, for now: Tukwila's "Taj Mahal" station
- Trees vs. houses: Narrow, leafy street is last chance for two Madrona homes waiting to be moved
- Mariners trade Yuniesky Betancourt to Royals
- Mariners Blog | Yuniesky Betancourt traded to Royals for two minor league pitchers
- Mariners Blog | Deals involving Mariners shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez not automatically related
- World's largest solar plant may be built in Cle Elum
- Health-plan costs soar for individuals
599 - Yuniesky Betancourt traded to Royals for two minor league pitchers
247 - Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners: 07/09 game thread
243 - Chase won't pay for next year's Lake Union fireworks
241 - Seattle Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik again declines to quell Yuniesky Betancourt trade rumors
183 - World's largest solar plant may be built in Cle Elum
131 - The end of the line, for now: Tukwila is the jewel in the crown of Link
128 - Deals involving Mariners shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez not automatically related
105 - Franklin Gutierrez bails Mariners out in a 3-1 win
77 - Group hopes to build 75-megawatt solar park near Cle Elum
68
- Seattle-area homebuilder losing projects to foreclosure
- World's largest solar plant may be built in Cle Elum
- Health-plan costs soar for individuals
- Worker dies in chocolate vat; plant didn't have license
- Group hopes to build 75-megawatt solar park near Cle Elum
- Grab the kids and hop on Amtrak for a stress-free getaway to Portland
- Trees vs. houses: Narrow, leafy street is last chance for two Madrona homes waiting to be moved
- Local Smith & Hawken garden stores to close
- During financial crisis, the business of college sports is complicated by Title IX
- Lavender tour on Vashon Island leads round of festivals



