Previous Years' Course Catalogues

The Medieval period witnessed some of the most intense and fruitful theological and doctrinal discussions in Eastern Orthodox Church history, from the Monothelite controversy to Iconoclasm to the birth of Hesychastic theology and practice. This course will explore the writings of the most influential minds of the Eastern Church during the period, namely Maximus the Confessor, John the Damascene, Photius of Constantinople, Symeon the New Theologian, and Gregory Palamas. Heavy emphasis will be placed on primary sources (read in translation). Key topics will include developments in Christology, Trinitarian theology, the theology of icons, theological anthropology, Hesychasm and the theology of deification as discussed by these authors.

The Medieval period witnessed some of the most intense and fruitful theological and doctrinal discussions in Eastern Orthodox Church history, from the Monothelite controversy to Iconoclasm to the birth of Hesychastic theology and practice. This course will explore the writings of the most influential minds of the Eastern Church during the period, namely Maximus the Confessor, John the Damascene, Photius of Constantinople, Symeon the New Theologian, and Gregory Palamas. Heavy emphasis will be placed on primary sources (read in translation). Key topics will include developments in Christology, Trinitarian theology, the theology of icons, theological anthropology, Hesychasm and the theology of deification as discussed by these authors.

The Medieval period witnessed some of the most intense and fruitful theological and doctrinal discussions in Eastern Orthodox Church history, from the Monothelite controversy to Iconoclasm to the birth of Hesychastic theology and practice. This course will explore the writings of the most influential minds of the Eastern Church during the period, namely Maximus the Confessor, John the Damascene, Photius of Constantinople, Symeon the New Theologian, and Gregory Palamas. Heavy emphasis will be placed on primary sources (read in translation). Key topics will include developments in Christology, Trinitarian theology, the theology of icons, theological anthropology, Hesychasm and the theology of deification as discussed by these authors.

Development of "Byzantine" and "Oriental" Orthodox mentalities and doctrines after the monophysite controversy and Council of Chalcedon; failure to heal this rift in theology for the next 200 years, even by two more ecumenical councils. Other theological issues of the period: grace and faith, epistemology and hesychasm, the Creed, and filioque. Selections from key Fathers of this era and from documents of 4th - 6th Councils.

From the beginning, Christianity has been at its heart a religion of learning. The Greek word rendered in English as "disciple" is not originally a religious word, but simply means a "learner." Christ thus charges his apostles to "Go out and make learners of all the nations" (Matthew 28.19). In this course, students will face up to the crisis of catechesis and Christian formation within a contemporary church struggling to come to terms with the secularity and diversity of a post-Christendom world. Drawing on insights from ancient Christian tradition as well as contemporary authors and thought, students will creatively explore what it means to teach, learn and live the Christian faith today.

From the beginning, Christianity has been at its heart a religion of learning. The Greek word rendered in English as "disciple" is not originally a religious word, but simply means a "learner." Christ thus charges his apostles to "Go out and make learners of all the nations" (Matthew 28.19). In this course, students will face up to the crisis of catechesis and Christian formation within a contemporary church struggling to come to terms with the secularity and diversity of a post-Christendom world. Drawing on insights from ancient Christian tradition as well as contemporary authors and thought, students will creatively explore what it means to teach, learn and live the Christian faith today.

From the beginning, Christianity has been at its heart a religion of learning. The Greek word rendered in English as "disciple" is not originally a religious word, but simply means a "learner." Christ thus charges his apostles to "Go out and make learners of all the nations" (Matthew 28.19). In this course, students will face up to the crisis of catechesis and Christian formation within a contemporary church struggling to come to terms with the secularity and diversity of a post-Christendom world. Drawing on insights from ancient Christian tradition as well as contemporary authors and thought, students will creatively explore what it means to teach, learn and live the Christian faith today.

From the beginning, Christianity has been at its heart a religion of learning. The Greek word rendered in English as "disciple" is not originally a religious word, but simply means a "learner." Christ thus charges his apostles to "Go out and make learners of all the nations" (Matthew 28.19). In this course, students will face up to the crisis of catechesis and Christian formation within a contemporary church struggling to come to terms with the secularity and diversity of a post-Christendom world. Drawing on insights from ancient Christian tradition as well as contemporary authors and thought, students will creatively explore what it means to teach, learn and live the Christian faith today.

This course will introduce students to the official liturgical rites of the Anglican Church of Canada and of other Anglican and Episcopalian jurisdictions. The course will focus on a careful study of the liturgical texts themselves, supported by introductory readings and digital materials on the historical and theological background of each rite and on the principles and practicalities of how each rite can and should be conducted in various pastoral settings. Students who successfully complete this course will be well prepared to enrol in further courses on liturgical and sacramental theology, priestly spiritual formation, and liturgical history.

This course will introduce students to the official liturgical rites of the Anglican Church of Canada and of other Anglican and Episcopalian jurisdictions. The course will focus on a careful study of the liturgical texts themselves, supported by introductory readings and digital materials on the historical and theological background of each rite and on the principles and practicalities of how each rite can and should be conducted in various pastoral settings. Students who successfully complete this course will be well prepared to enrol in further courses on liturgical and sacramental theology, priestly spiritual formation, and liturgical history.

This course will introduce students to the official liturgical rites of the Anglican Church of Canada and of other Anglican and Episcopalian jurisdictions. The course will focus on a careful study of the liturgical texts themselves, supported by introductory readings and digital materials on the historical and theological background of each rite and on the principles and practicalities of how each rite can and should be conducted in various pastoral settings. Students who successfully complete this course will be well prepared to enrol in further courses on liturgical and sacramental theology, priestly spiritual formation, and liturgical history.

This course will introduce students to the official liturgical rites of the Anglican Church of Canada and of other Anglican and Episcopalian jurisdictions. The course will focus on a careful study of the liturgical texts themselves, supported by introductory readings and digital materials on the historical and theological background of each rite and on the principles and practicalities of how each rite can and should be conducted in various pastoral settings. Students who successfully complete this course will be well prepared to enrol in further courses on liturgical and sacramental theology, priestly spiritual formation, and liturgical history.