GOA begins lenten program

Two programs from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese:

NEW DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM BEGINS: The Department of Religious Education is beginning a pilot distance learning program. Living Great Lent taught by Rev. Dr. Alkiviadis Calivas will be available on-line at http://learn.goarch.org/moodle beginning February 19. Participants will need to register on-line to have access to the five video presentations by Fr. Calivas, a series of readings, and questions for discussion. The course will be facilitated by Dr. Anton C. Vrame, Director of the Department of Religious Education, and Rev. Dn. Markos Nickolas, a doctoral candidate in pastoral theology at Boston University. While an individual can register for the course, the course is designed for groups that can meet to discuss the presentations and readings. The course material will be available from February 19 to April 4 to encourage learners and groups to complete the five session program within seven weeks. Fr. Calivas is Professor emeritus of Liturgy at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. After the course has ended, the pilot program of the Department of Religious Education will be evaluated in order to begin a larger distance learning program in the fall. For more information contact the Department of Religious Education, 617-850-1218.

I signed up. I'll tell you how it goes. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese is a very consistent leader in developing online material. They should really be seen as a guide for other churches wishing to reach out to their people and the world at large.