07 Tháng 10 , 2008 - Published 04:52 GMT

Marathon đọc Kinh Thánh trên TV

The Pope began this seven-day, non-stop Bible marathon by reading the story of the creation.

He wants Catholics to return to reading the Bible and feels that the scriptures are being neglected in the modern world. A Russian Orthodox prelate took over the Bible reading from the Pope after a few minutes and then it was the turn of an Italian Protestant leader who read with great emphasis the story of Adam and Eve being expelled from the Garden of Eden. One of Italy's most popular actors Roberto Benigni took over to read the story of Cain and Abel. The Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli sang Bach during the first interlude.

Rome's Chief Rabbi had originally been scheduled to read immediately after the Pope but he pulled out after complaining that the event had become, in his words, 'too Catholic'.

The television broadcast of the Bible will continue all week, day and night, on a satellite educational channel. Earlier in the day the Pope opened a synod of Catholic bishops from around the world who will be debating how to give a better knowledge of the Bible to Catholics. In his homily the Pope attacked the godless character of modern culture.

seven day non-stop Bible marathon
đọc Kinh Thánh bảy ngày liền, không ngừng nghỉ

the story of the creation
lịch sử khai sáng

the scriptures are being neglected in the modern world
con người thời hiện đại bỏ bê việc đọc và nghiên cứu Thánh kinh

Russian Orthodox prelate
lãnh đạo dòng Chính thống Nga

with great emphasis
nhấn mạnh đặc biệt

expelled
xua đuổi

Chief Rabbi
Giáo sắc đạo Do Thái

pulled out
rút lui

homily
truyền đạo

godless character of modern culture
văn hóa hiện đại phi thần thánh, phi tín ngưỡng