SUMMER SCHOOL Studies in Orthodox Theology 25–31 August 2013
ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY OF THESSALONIKI
SCHOOL OF PASTORAL AND SOCIAL THEOLOGY
LIFELONG LEARNING UNIT
SUMMER SCHOOL COURSE
“STUDIES IN ORTHODOX THEOLOGY”
The
School of Pastoral and Social Theology of the Aristotle University of
Thessaloniki organizes a short and comprehensive programme of one week
courses at the Macedonian city of Veroia, where St Paul’s podium and a
multitude of byzantine churches and monasteries.
The Course has been planned in order to present and promote the educative riches of Orthodox Theology and its cultural treasure.
LOCATION: Veroia, at the privately owned site of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
TARGET GROUP:
The Course is addressed to all interested undergraduate and
post-graduate students currently enrolled in an academic institution,
both from Greece and abroad, who wish to gain a deeper understanding and
experience of Orthodox theological writings and spirituality.
COURSE AIM:
The purpose of the Course is to offer a series of foundational lessons
in Orthodox Theology by combining knowledge based understanding and
direct, personal, cultural interaction with the local tradition. The
lessons will address the key disciplines of Orthodox Theology: Biblical
Studies (Old and New Testament), Patrology and Hagiology, Church
History, Dogmatics and Ecumenical Relations, Liturgics and the Christian
Arts, Canon Law, Pastoral Care and Christian Sociology, Christian
Ethics. It is expected that, upon successful completion of the Course,
the students will have acquired a broad and general overview of the
major fields of Orthodox Theology, as well as a basic understanding of
Orthodox Spirituality and the culture that emerges from it.
STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE: Four hours of instruction will be offered daily (4 Χ
7=28 classroom hours). Sessions will begin on Sunday morning with a
visit to an Orthodox Church, where we will attend the Divine Liturgy.
The Course will conclude on Saturday afternoon with a Farewell Social.
The program also includes some excursions to archeological sites and
museums, as well as a social event with ecclesiastical and other local
constituents of the city. In addition, it is possible that, during the
late evening hours, after the scheduled teaching sessions, other
educational activities may be introduced by the instructors, ones that
will supplement the teaching sessions.
The teaching sessions consist of the following units:
I) The Exegesis of Holy Scripture (Old and New Testament)
on select biblical texts according to the patristic tradition.
Detection of forerunner use of later hermeneutical methods by the
Fathers of the Church and accentuation of the possibility of
hermeneutical renewal and deeper theological understanding through
patristic interpretation.
II) Patrology and Hagiology with
the study of significant chapters of the Orthodox literary tradition.
Select presentation of patristic theology and the ways in which it
responds to contemporary spiritual issues.
III) Church History with highlighting the major historical events of the Byzantine culture and of the Orthodox Hellenism.
IV) Dogmatics and Ecumenical Relations
with the interpretation of select dogmatic and symbolic texts,
including a focus on the Orthodox witness in contemporary theological
dialogues.
V) Liturgics and the Christian Arts
with a presentation of the Orthodox ecclesiastical tradition from a
liturgical, worship, aesthetic and architectural perspective, including
visits to Byzantine monuments. An introduction to the art of chant.
VI) Canon Law with reference to ecclesial institutions and organisms.
VII) Pastoral Care and the Sociology of Christianity with a presentation of the patristic understanding of social issues and pastoral care.
VIII) Christian Ethics according to the teaching of the Fathers and in reference to the contemporary challenges.
Emphasis
will be given on the inter-thematic and multifaceted presentation of
the topics and its connection with the contemporary orthodox reality and
the local culture, monumental, customary, and ecclesial. To this end,
beyond the tours scheduled to take place during the teaching sessions,
additional (optional) opportunities will be offered for participation in
first hand experiences, such as the attendance at vespers at the skete
of St John the Forerunner, where St Gregory Palamas resided, visits to
archaeological sites etc.
PERIOD: Sunday 25 – Saturday 31 August 2013
STUDY-LOAD AND CREDITS: Attendance and successful completion of the Course awards participants 2 ECTS and a Certificate of Further Education.
FEE: 250 euro per person
OVERSIGHT COMMITEE:
Assoc. Prof. Dr Kyriakoula Papademetriou (academic director of the
course), Prof. Dr Athanasios Karathanasis (president of the School), and
Assoc. Prof. Dr Symeon Paschalidis.
ACCOMODATION:
Electronic addresses, with regard to accommodations and transfers, will
be posted soon so that students may directly make arrangements for
their participation.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 20, 2013
INFORMATION: www.past.auth.gr, www.diaviou.auth.gr
CONTACT:
info@past.auth.gr,
kyp@past.auth.gr,
dimosthek@yahoo.gr,
fgermani@past.auth.grThe full courses programm is here
