Theta Chi Beta () was a national honor society recognizing excellence in the study of religion. It was founded at Syracuse University.
History Theta Chi Beta was formed in 1915 at Syracuse University as an honor society for students in the fields of Religious Studies and Theology. It was the first and only society of its kind in the United States. Several chapters were formed.
The Aleph chapter remains active as the Theta Chi Beta chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa, a larger, national honor society for students in Religious studies. It was allowed to keep this name in recognition of its long history and formative role in establishing its own national society.Noted on the chapter's Syracuse portal, accessed 20 Nov 2021.
The last remaining independent chapter of Theta Chi Beta was the Gimel chapter, formed in 1937 at Florida Southern College, which went dormant sometime after 2008.Interlachen 2008
Symbols The fraternity's motto is "Progressive Revelations". Symbols of the fraternity include the six-pointed star called Magen David, the Shield of David, the outline of a fish symbolic of early Christians, and the Greek word and acronym, ICHTHUS, representative of "Jesous Christos Theou Uios Soter", or "Jesus Christ God's Son Savior".
Chapter officers used Hebrew designations: Melek (king) for president Sar (prince) for vice-president Sopher (scribe) for secretary/treasurer Maskir (rememberer) for recording secretary
The emblem of the society was similar to other honor society keys, with the Hebrew letter Beth () as a frame, in which was held an open book, the Bible, all rendered in gold.
Chapters Following is an incomplete list of the chapters of Theta Chi Beta. ChapterInstallation DateCollege or UniversityLocationStatusReferenceAleph1915-1991Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, New YorkMerged, became Theta Chi Beta chapter of in 1991Beth≥1934–+St. Lawrence Theological SchoolCanton (village), New YorkBulletin Volumes 10-11 By Council on the Study of Religion · 1979Gimel1937-20xxFlorida Southern CollegeLakeland, FloridaDaleth ?≥1937
References
See also Theta Alpha Kappa