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What do we offer?

We currently offer a diploma course made up of five modules, entitled The Foundation Diploma in Orthodox Studies

The full programme is made up of five modules:

 

  1. Introductory Studies in Orthodox Thought

  2. Orthodox Pastoral Studies

  3. Orthodox Liturgical Studies

  4. Preaching and Teaching

  5. The Orthodox Parish

 

Each module is made up of fourteen units, with a short summative assessment at the end of each one, as well as a final assignment, and requires that anyone doing the programme actively attend an Orthodox parish over the course of their studies. It is also a requirement that every student* attend an annual 3-day conference in Glasgow, Scotland - no matter what module they are studying - where they are able to spend time with their fellow students in conversation, study, and worship.

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It is possible to study only one module alone, or even a selection of individual modules, but the first module 'Introductory Studies in Orthodox Thought' should be considered a prerequisite to all other modules.** 

*Where it is not possible for a student to attend the conference due to finances or particular life circumstances, an application can be made for exemption, in which case alternative arrangements may be made.

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** An exception to this can be made if a student has undertaken theological studies before. This should be indicated on the application, at which point a decision will be made on the basis of the content of previous study.

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All of our provision is written to the highest academic standards and monitored closely for quality assurance. The student who engages with all the resources set out in each module and its corresponding units will complete the equivalent of the first year of an undergraduate theology degree. The  modules together pitched at level 5, equivalent to the DipHE (according to the Bologna Process of the European Higher Education Area). No prior study is necessary, although students are expected to have a facility with the English language, and at least a high school level of literacy, including analytic ability.

The Five Modules:

The 14 topics of module 1:

Introductory Studies in Orthodox Thought

  1. Natural Religion, Revelation, and the Holy Trinity

  2. The Holy Scriptures: A Repository of Revelation

  3. The Person & Work of Christ

  4. The Holy Spirit

  5. The Story of the Church: Origins, Fathers, & Councils

  6. Prayer & Monasticism: The Call of Every Christian

  7. Iconography & Iconology: A Key to Orthodox Theology

  8. The Sacraments & the Spiritual Hospital

  9. An Introduction to Canon Law

  10. Angels, Saints, and the Council of God

  11. Liturgy & Worship

  12. Mission & the Church

  13. Local Orthodoxy: Being the Church Where We Are

  14. Life, Death, and Life After Death

The 14 topics of module 2:

Orthodox Pastoral Studies

  1. The theological basis of pastoral care in Orthodoxy

  2. The where and when of pastoral care

  3. Knowing ourselves in the service of others

  4. Empathetic presence

  5. Hospital visiting

  6. Visiting the home

  7. Family dynamics

  8. Addressing illness & death with family

  9. Suffering & loss in relation to children

  10. Engendering safety

  11. Offering pastoral guidance

  12. Hearing confessions

  13. Preparing for marriage

  14. Sex & sexuality

The 14 topics of module 3:

Orthodox Liturgical Studies

  1. What is Liturgics? Theology of Leitourgia

  2. A Living Tradition: Biblical and Historical Roots

  3. Architecture and Adornment: Heaven on Earth

  4. The Mysteries: The Divine Gifts

  5. The Liturgy of Preparation: Gathering the Church

  6. The Liturgy of the Catechumens: Hearing the Call

  7. The Liturgy of the Faithful: The Great Sacrifice

  8. Communion and Dismissal: Life from the Chalice

  9. The Daily Cycle: Sanctifying Time

  10. The Weekly Cycle: Celebrating the Resurrection

  11. The Immovable Feasts: The Menologion

  12. The Moveable Cycle: Triodion and Pentecostarion

  13. Occasional Services: Sacramental Life Beyond the Altar

  14. The Typikon: Ordering the Worship

The 14 topics of module 4:

Preaching & Teaching

  1. Preaching: why bother?

  2. What to preach?

  3. Faithful exegesis: preaching with the Fathers

  4. Faithful exegesis: how to read the Bible in the way it was intended to be read

  5. Finding your voice: techniques 1

  6. Finding your voice: techniques 2

  7. Structuring the Homily: From Text to Outline

  8. The Prayerful Pulpit: Preaching as Spiritual Ascesis

  9. Preaching the Feasts: The Liturgical Context

  10. Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom: Eschatology and Hope

  11. The Pastor as Preacher: Addressing Contemporary Issues

  12. Clarity, Brevity, and Engagement: Revising and Delivery Practice

  13. Teaching the Teacher: Catechesis vs. Homily

  14. Measuring Fruit: Receiving and Responding to Feedback

The 14 topics of module 5:

The Orthodox Parish

  1. Personal Askesis and Vocation

  2. Sacramental Ministry: Beyond the Rubrics

  3. Preaching and Teaching: The Ministry of the Word

  4. Forming the Parish Liturgical Life

  5. Pastoral Care in Crisis: Illness, Death, and Grief

  6. Building Strong Marriages and Families

  7. Conflict Resolution and Parish Discipline

  8. Outreach and Welcoming Newcomers (Inreach)

  9. Parish Governance and Council Management

  10. Stewardship and Parish Finances

  11. Managing People: Volunteers and Staff

  12. Parish Legalities, Property, and Safety

  13. The Priest and the Wider Church

  14. Public Relations and Media Engagement

Assessment

How each unit is assessed and each module concludes

At the end of each of the fourteen units in all of the five modules, students will be assessed with a small assignment of 100 words (or equivalent). When the fourteen units are complete, the student then sums up the module by writing an essay of 3000 words in response to a choice of questions. Guidance for writing this essay is given within the module, so the student unfamiliar with essay-writing technique need not worry! Also, the instructor will always be on hand to answer your questions.

When you need help

Where to go with your questions, or for guidance

It is almost inevitable that, over the course of your studies, you are going to feel stuck, have a question or two, or just want to talk about the ideas you are encountering. As a member of a church community, your first 'port of call' when in this situation may be your priest or someone in your parish that has a background in theology. Failing that, you can always email your Module Tutor (whose email will be made available upon registration). Once your study begins, though, you will also be invited to attend a non-compulsory, monthly Zoom-based, course check-in, where your tutor will be available for questions and guidance. And of course, the annual student conference will be the ideal venue at which to ask questions, find inspiration, and grow in confidence.

What is the course like?

In order to successfully complete the whole course, each of these five modules must be undertaken within an Orthodox community: that is, it is a requirement that the student participate in an Orthodox parish or monastic community, assessed by means of an attestation by a clergy member within that community. It is possible to undertake the academic programme without fulfilling this requirement, but in the absence of proof of participation in a parish or monastic community, the Centre Diploma will not be granted.

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It is also a requirement for every student to attend at least one annual 3-day Student Conference to be held in Glasgow, so that he might meet with others going through the same process. This pertains no matter what module is being done at a given time. The purpose of the conference is to anchor what is being studied in community, to give every student a sense of connection to one another, to allow students to worship together, and to encourage the discipline of asking questions and discussing theology in a guided environment. If someone is doing only one or a selection of a few of the modules, they are expected to attend at least one retreat per module. Where a student cannot attend a conference by reason of distance, or some other legitimate reason, an exemption request may be made in writing to the Centre for consideration, and alternative arrangements may be made. 

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At the heart of each unit is a recorded lecture, which the student will be expected to watch in full, together with a selection of readings, and additional videos (or other resources) that will expand his understanding of the topic. Many of the readings require that the student 'checks out' once he has finished them, in order that his engagement with them can be verified. At the end of each unit, the student will be required to submit a short assignment, which will then be graded and returned to him with corrections that he will be expected to implement before returning it in order to earn his final grade in that unit. Full details of what is expected will be found under the relevant heading with each unit.

 

Think of each unit as being worth 5.71% of the course, while the final essay is worth 20%. An overall pass is 51% earned across all fourteen units and the essay combined. In other words, it is not possible to earn full marks, for example, in seven of the units while failing to complete the other seven, and still earn a passing grade. Failure to complete all units will result in an overall failure on the course.

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Unit Bibliographies are provided at the end of each unit. These will include a few suggested books of particular relevance to the topic the student is studying. Reading every one of these is not an absolute requirement for the course, but is strongly encouraged. They will be of immense benefit in the student developing his understanding. A full course bibliography that contains the titles listed with each unit, as well as additional helpful texts, will also be provided. Some of the suggested works will be of a higher level, and some more accessible to the average reader. If the student is able to show in his assignments that he has seriously engaged with any of the suggested texts, this will almost certainly result in a higher grade.

Who is the course for?

Our course can be studied by anyone interested in the thought and practice of the Orthodox Church, including men and women, Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike. (n.b. A non-Orthodox person may not be able to complete the entire course without fulfilling the requirement to be active within an Orthodox community. If they are able to fulfil this requirement, then they are eligible for the diploma.)

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The primary purpose of the course, however, is to serve those seeking to advance in orders in the Church.

 

This includes people who have already been going through a process of discernment at the parish level, those who are preparing for orders including, and up to, diaconate, and those who were ordained before they had the opportunity for serious theological and pastoral study.

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