OCA offering diaconal vocations program course online

SYOSSET, NY (OCA) - As part of its mission to train late vocation candidates for ordination to the the Holy Diaconate of the Orthodox Church in America, the Diaconal Vocations Program is engaged in a process of curriculum revision and transformation mandated by the Holy Synod of Bishops. With the blessing of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, and at the direction of the Board of Theological Education of the Holy Synod of Bishops, an on-line course is being offered in Church History beginning January 31, 2011.

Archpriest John H. Erickson, the Peter N. Gramowich Professor of Church History, Emeritus, of Saint Vladimir's Seminary, Crestwood, NY, will teach the course, which will span 14 consecutive weeks on-line with weekly recorded audio lectures, short answer response assignments, live collaborative chat, and other assignments hosted in an on-line learning environment. Archdeacon Kirill Sokolov, OCA Director of Diaconal and Late Vocations, will assist Father John.

"I consider on-line education to be an important way in which we can strengthen our educational efforts in a geographically dispersed Church," explained Metropolitan Jonah. "Our diaconal candidates can benefit greatly from the teaching they receive from experienced teachers such as Father John and from the interactions they have with each other."

This pilot course is open to enrolled candidates in the Diaconal Vocations Program and other special students as approved. Course content fulfills the second semester requirements of the Diaconal Vocations Program during this transition time in the curriculum. Instruction is scheduled to begin January 31. The registration fee is $125.00. For additional information or to register, please contact Archdeacon Kirill at www.oca.org/dvp.

The Diaconal Vocations Program is a program of theological study offered by the Holy Synod to prepare men who may be called for ordination to the Holy Diaconate. The Holy Synod recently blessed a process of evaluation and revision for the Program. Archdeacon Kirill serves as director of Diaconal and Late Vocations.