www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News MA/Diploma in APPLIED ORTHODOX THEOLOGY - New Cohort with Private Byzcath Forum!

Pavel,

Care to join us in our Catholic quest for Holy Orthodoxy?

Gordo

I have and continue to be on the quest for holy Orthodoxy

You mean...you don't need an academic program to do that? :p

I wonder where St. Ephrem the Syrian and "Harp of the Holy Spirit" got his PhD...he is, after all, a Doctor of the Church! :p

God bless,

Gordo

I may at some stage avail myself of some formal studies in this or other of areas. I may have to content myself as nurse or ward clerk of the church rather than doctor.

I see what your good lady meant when describing her lot in life.

God bless

You are too nice! Actually, my wife's statement that her marriage is "eternal" could be taken in one of two ways.... I like your interpretation best!

Gordo

Since we're Orthodox Christians, why wouldn't we study in Orthodox seminaries and programs?

As suggested, I contacted the folks at the seminary, but I have heard nothing back: this is completely understandable if my email went to the folks in violence-ravaged Lebanon. Has anyone heard anything from Balamand in the last week?

Hey Ebed!!!!!!!! Cute replies!!!!!!! I am excited about the seminary degree!!!!! You have some valid points. Why even go for the St. Stephen's then if a spiritual/intellectual quest is what one is after? Couldn't you just read the books on your own? I am of course, a Byz. Catholic and feel that one should build up their own church before going "AWOL" for their education. I don't think that the St. Stephen's will teach anything about the Catechism of the Catholic Church which is pretty important for us Eastern Catholics. Take another example, history. I see that their is a church history course or two but these would probably only address the first seven councils and leave out the other 14. I understand people's quest for their orthodox heritage but we are Catholic first, eastern second. And for the orthodox members, I am sure the Byz. Cath. seminary would graciously accept you to study with them. Of course only those who are lucky enough to live in the Archeparchy.

Hey, Jim!!!!!!!! Glad you liked it!!!!!!!!

There are a whole host of things you bring up - and in such a small post!

1. Why go for the St. Stephen's program if I'm on a spiritual quest?

I could read the books on my own, to be sure. But I prefer the opportunity to write and dialog with others about the topics, as well as to study in a systematic way. When one is obligated to do so as part of a program, there is also the added incentive of a grade. (As we say in the training field, what gets measured, gets done!)

2. Re: "AWOL" Education

I think this is a little strong. I would fully support (and possibly attend) a distance learning Eastern Catholic program if one was available - so long as it was covering Orthodox content! I have been told that the AHS program was created with a view to having Eastern Catholics participate. Again, the Melkites send their seminarians to Holy Cross. Are they "AWOL" as well?

3. Re: CCC

No - the St. Stephen's Program will not be using the CCC as a primary source. That does not preclude me from reading it or referencing it from time to time, as well as the Light for Life series. I look forward to the Ukrainian Catechism coming out. It is evidently structured based on the Anaphora of St. Basil, which is excellent!

4. Which has primacy - Being "Eastern" or being "Catholic"?

I think this is a false dichotomy. To be Eastern is to be Catholic. Period. The Orthodox tradition is the Catholic tradition of the East. The "local Church" is the local manifestation of the "universal Church". While as Eastern Catholics we should accept (or in the very least not reject as heretical) doctrinal developments in the West, we have every right to learn about our Eastern traditions without fear, even from - or ESPECIALLY from - Orthodox theologians and clergy.

As to the conciliar tradition, I am very happy to focus my attention on the first 7 councils. They exercise, IMHO, a primacy of honor within our liturgical and pastoral tradition and are worthy of the most in depth analysis.

God bless,

Gordo

I was asked by one of our Sisters of St Basil if I was interested in filling out a survey about the course being opened to laity by Ss. Cyril & Methodius Seminary. In the process of filling it out, I discovered that the course was offered AT THE SEMINARY, and it would be impossible for me to attend from Phoenix.

I specifically asked if they had any sort of distance learning program, and received a reply that nothing is planned for the immediate future. I'm not sure why this is, because the deacon candidates from the Eparchy of Van Nuys take part in a distance learning program for 4 years with just 2 weeks residency each year.

In any case, that's why I'm hoping to take part in the St. Stephen's Distance Learning Program.

Sophia

It seems that a Lebanese sites are off the air so to speak. possibly as communications are on a war footing or the power stations have been blown up and the power grid is down. I notice that a number of the Israeli sites are also not repsonding these days.

That's great news, Sophia! We'll look forward to seeing you there!

Gordo

PS: Apart from the accredidation issue (and the fact that some courses are taught through Duquesne!!!!!!!! ), how hard would it be to:

1. Tape record the classes.
2. Modify the syllabi to reflect something that could be done through distance learning (considering the possibility of limited access to a theological library)
3. Give participants 6 months to complete a class through correspondence.
4. Have a 1-2 week residency requirement in the summer.

Franciscan University of Steubenville has done this and they now have 300 enrolled in their distance learning program. (Let's see - at $600 a class, if people take on average two classes at a time, that comes to approximately $720,000 in revenue annually...hmmmm...)

Ah well...if wishes were fishes...

Gordo

Isn't that nice Gordo has made a friend...at last. Tape recorder! Whats that? Good luck with your course Sophia.

Let us pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the whole Middle East!

Gordo

Always Melech Gordo , always.

(i've promoted you Gordo just this once)