The Byzantine Catholic Seminary has announced course offerings for the Fall, 2008 semester. The semester runs from September 2, 2008 through December 16, 2008.
FOUNDATIONS OF SPIRITUALITY
Have you ever asked yourself: What is Byzantine spirituality? Where did it all start? What are the sources that feed it and give it life today? What does it mean to be created in the image and likeness of God? Why do we make the sign of the cross and invoke the Persons of the Trinity so much? This course will look at the basic themes of Byzantine spirituality and delve into some of the writings of the Church Fathers, the Fathers and Mothers of the Desert and some key liturgical hymns that will help us understand and appreciate the foundations of our faith and its expression in our spiritual life. (2 credits)
This course will be offered on Tuesday evenings from 7-9pm beginning September 2, 2008.
Fr. John G. Petro is well known as a retreat director and spiritual director, having served in this capacity both at The American College, Leuven, Belgium and for the Sisters of St Basil the Great at Mt. St. Macrina in Uniontown. He is the Rector of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary.
AN ECUMENICAL APPROACH TO THEOLOGICAL QUESTIONS
Jesus’ prayer “that all may be one” (John 17,21) lays upon each Christian the challenge to seek authentic unity among all Christians. “The ecumenical movement seeks to be a response to the gift of God’s grace which calls all Christians to faith in the mystery of the Church according to the design of God who wishes to bring humanity to salvation and unity in Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit” (Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Directory, 1993).
Fr. George D. Gallaro, who has served on the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, will explore two of the more challenging topics in theology from an ecumenical perspective.
"Community of Salvation: An Ecumenical Ecclesiology" attempts to outline a theology of the Church for the third millennium. Every time we recite the Nicene Creed we profess our faith in “one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.” How can we move closer to that unity? In what sense can a Church be holy? Is Tradition simply about the past? What might the church of the future look like? These are a few of the questions that will be explored in the light of recent papal teaching, the results of nearly 50 years of ecumenical dialogue, and contemporary insights from biblical studies and the sciences. (2 credits).
This course will be offered on Monday evenings from 7-9pm beginning September 15, 2008.
“Mary in Ecumenical Perspective,” proposes a fresh look at the role of Mary in the faith and life of Catholics, Orthodox and the various Protestant denominations. How does Marian teaching reflect the various churches’ beliefs about Jesus Christ, the Scriptures, the Church and church authority? How can Mary be seen as the model for all Christians? Does devotion to Mary detract from the worship due to God alone? Can we understand God’s plan of salvation as the Bible reveals it without paying attention to Mary? These are some of the questions that will be explored. (2 credits)
This course will be offered on Tuesday evenings from 7-9pm beginning September 2, 2008.
INTRODUCTION TO CHURCH SLAVONIC I
Did you struggle to learn “Azbuka” once upon a time? Would you like to understand the liturgical prayers and hymns you’ve known by heart since childhood? Do you regret being “born too late” to learn Slavonic? Are you interested in Slavic culture? Introduction to Church Slavonic I is for you!
Church Slavonic is the classical language of the Slavic world, the ancient foundation for modern Slavic languages and the common liturgical language of Byzantine Slav Christians around the world. As late as the last century, many Rusyn writers in Europe and America were still using it as the basis for a literary language.
This course begins with the Cyrillic alphabet. At their own pace, students will gradually be introduced to basic vocabulary and grammar drawn from the Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom and other basic prayers and hymns. (2 credits)
Fr. Valerian M. Michlik will lead this introductory class. Father Valerian is a native speaker of Rusyn and competent in several other Slavic languages. He is an alumnus of the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome and pastor of St George Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church on the North Side of Pittsburgh. A lively and engaging speaker, Fr. Valerian also hosts the popular “Christ Among Us” radio program heard every Sunday on WPIT 730AM. No previous knowledge is required for this course, which is open to all interested adults and teens either for credit or as auditors. Credits may be transferable to other undergraduate or graduate programs.
This course will be offered on Monday evenings from 7-9pm beginning September 15, 2008.
The academic programs of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary are authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and are candidates for accreditation by The Association of Theological Schools. Auditors are welcome, and are not required to complete assignments or take examinations. Auditors and qualified individuals interested in taking these courses for graduate-level credit should contact the Seminary at byzcathsem@verizon.net, or by calling 412.321.8383 for a registration form.
Deadline for registration is August 20, 2008.
Located on Perrysville Avenue in Pittsburgh’s historic North Side, the Byzantine Catholic Seminary is convenient to I-279, I-376, and Routes 19 and 65.
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