Overview
Living in the modern and fast-changing world, people are turning to the Church in search for alternative solutions to find stability and hope. Many of the converts entering the Church, along with those who have been participating in parish life for years or decades, lack access to the fullness of the theological treasures of the Orthodox Church of the Byzantine tradition on the local level. This course intends to fill this gap by offering familiarization and class dialogue concerning common questions about Orthodox Christian faith on a variety of subjects. Topics presented in the course cover relevant themes that contemporary men and women face in their daily lives, such as the meaning of existence and role of humans in creation, people’s relations with God, fellow human beings, and the rest of creation, but also topics concerning ethical positions on war, sexuality, politics, culture, and economics.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, the participants are (individually and collaboratively) expected to be able to:
- recognize the core theological doctrines, teachings, and traditions of the Orthodox Church, laying the groundwork for deeper shared exploration and understanding.
- describe the practical implications of Orthodox theology in everyday life, initiating the integration of faith with daily actions and decisions.
- examine and discuss various aspects of Orthodox spirituality, in order to foster personal and shared spiritual growth, utilizing a wealth of resources to deepen one’s faith journey.
- analyze and relate theological concepts to contemporary issues, promoting a culture of open dialogue that values the sharing of diverse perspectives and experiences.
- synthesize and apply these theological insights in a co-creative manner, contributing to a vibrant learning community where each participant’s journey enriches and is enriched by the collective experience of learning.
Requirements
Students are expected to participate in all course activities, both by being present and playing an active role in scheduled course sessions, and by completing assignments to be done outside of scheduled lessons. If participants miss lessons, they may be required to do extra assignments in order to fulfill the participation requirements of the course. 80% attendance and participation (including completion of assignments) are required for the course to be considered to have been completed.
