(HTS) - In that 2023 was the 75th anniversary year of Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville, NY, the Synod of Bishops of ROCOR, in a meeting of the Synod during September, 2023, discussed encouraging ROCOR clergy who do not have and formal theological formation/training to look to pursue this.
The following is an excerpt from the ROCOR Synod meeting on September 6, 2023:
“During the meeting of the Synod of Bishops which occurred on August 24/September 6, 2023, the bishops heard the request of Protodeacon Andrei Psarev to remind the clergy (of ROCOR) who do not have formal theological formation how they may receive such training.
The decision was made to remind the clergy who do not have theological formation, and wish to receive it, to inform them how (and where) to apply to study online, including at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary or the Pastoral of School of Chicago and Mid-America.
Metropolitan Nicholas, First Hierarch of ROCOR
Archbishop Kyrill, Secretary of the Synod of Bishops”
- For those interested in enrolling at Holy Trinity Seminary, visit our website at https://hts.edu/admissionsrequirements
- For the Certificate in Theological Studies (CTS – Independent Study) Program in particular, visit the website at: https://hts.edu/certificateintheologicalstudies
Thursday, February 1, 2024
ROCOR reminds clergy that seminaries exist
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About time.
ReplyDeleteHaving studied at HTOS, HCHC, and having graduated from STOTS. I would gladly trade back said years for the personal mentoring of any of my local priests who do not have the theological degree that I have, and yet are my superiors in every meaningful category.
ReplyDeleteI recall a seminarian having his thesis rejected because he sited St. Silouan the Athonite and was told this wasn't a valid source because St. Silouan did not have a theological degree. His response was to ask what degree the Apostles had. Education is useful, but spiritual formation is what is lacking today, not degrees.
I see this as an example of ROCOR's continuing slide into mainstream religion. I took two courses from the Midamerica diocesan seminary online in 2019, one of them taught by Protodeacon Andrei. His course was extremely similar to the undergraduate Byzantine history class I took in university in the 1970s. That's not necessarily bad: I'm sure that the university's course today is all about Queer Theory or something, so at least the seminary is preserving the Western secular historical tradition. However, I am not sure how such 'formal training' -- in Met. Nicholas's interesting phrase -- would benefit a serving priest. The other course was about how to handle money in a business-like way. I like and admire the professor who taught it, but I can't help feeling that money looms a bit too large in ROCOR these days; maybe there's something to be said for the poverty-stricken post-Revolutionary church in exile. --Norman Dionysius Redington
ReplyDeleteThe Synod Abroad was literally founded by the cream of the crop of the imperial Russian theological education system. It's been quite the fall, you can't blame them for wanting to get somewhat closer to their roots...
DeleteInteresting perspectives @Soujourner & @Norman! Both have me thinking of how Orthodoxy in the west is till a "immagrant" phenom, and how converts (your both converts in my estimation) "fit" into it.
ReplyDeleteI want to assume that your story about the seminarian citing St. Silouan took place at HCHC, but that is a mere cliche ;)
I will add that my seminary experience (St. Sophia's of UOC-USA) had some worthwhile formation, though nothing organized or even intentional on the part of the institution.
DeleteI believe seminary is "about" several things, not the least of which (primarily? probably...) producing 'company men' who fit into the current culture of the whatever flavor the immigrant 'jurisdiction' is forming/protecting at the moment.
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ReplyDeleteI'm surprised by the anti-theological education opinions here. I have met more than a few old world priests with a very superstitious or shallow theological perspective. I have also met convert Orthodox priests that basically were rebranded versions of their Protestant/Catholic background. On a personal level I found theological education important to gain context and understanding of my ministry. There is a bunch of personal heresies and misunderstandings of big T versus small t traditions that seminary challenged. Seminary can also shock someone from their secular mindset and form them in a new mindset/culture. It also provides a structured environment of a spiritual formation. (Not sure if that is being a company men as Jakes refers to).
ReplyDeleteThat being said I have seen people that were great academically but probably shouldn't have been ordained. Totally agree with need for mentorship, the need to focus on spiritual growth over academic achievement, practical experience and mentorship. I think the OCA has recently started reacting to this need with summer internships, required clinical pastoral education and required mentorship periods for new graduates. They also have mandatory psych and spiritual assessments. I wish the other jurisdictions did this more. (Ie, Acrod or GOARCH often ordains and assigns right out of seminary).
". It also provides a structured environment of a spiritual formation. (Not sure if that is being a company men as Jakes refers to)."
DeleteWell yes, because along with the good "spiritual formation" to which you refer (all the truth & treasure of the Faith), seminary (and the general leadership of the Bishops on down) also 'forms' the man in/with the 'spirit' of the status quo - the de facto inward focused (parochial) ethnic/immigrant orthodoxy of the majority of parishes within western civilization.
Sure a few bishops/priests/lay leaders break this mold (see for example Fr. Evan Aramatas and his book "Reclaiming the Great Commission: A Roadmap to Parish Health" but they are the mavericks and the exceptions that prove the rule...
I feel like SVS and the recently STOTS are a little closer to Fr Evan's book's phronema (very good btw) than some of the others but I get your point.
DeleteI've seen cases that make me wonder what filtering system ROCOR uses with candidates for the priesthood. It doesn't have to be seminary, I guess, but something isn't working. (And of course I know, and know of, fine ROCOR priests.)
ReplyDelete