impact the life of Eastern Churches today —the tensions between old country memories and new country lifestyles, “eastern” and “western” styles, questions of lay leadership, priestly celibacy and ethnic rivalries. This course will explore the events and personalities who shaped this history in our families and in our neighborhoods. (2 credits)
This course will be taught Monday evenings from 7-9pm beginning January 12, 2009.
Archpriest David M. Petras, who will teach this course, serves on the American Catholic/Orthodox Theological Consultation.
Sources from Antiquity
What can the wisdom of the ancients offer a specialized, technological world like ours? “Sources from Antiquity” is an invitation to get beyond sound bytes and explore some basic life questions in depth. Philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, and the Epicureans helped shape the minds of some of the greatest Greek Fathers—Ignatius, Athanasius, Hilary and Clement of Alexandria. Together, these voices of Greek wisdom will lead a journey through questions about how we can know anything, how to understand the world, the human soul and the way to find meaning in life. This course seeks to give students access to the philosophy and theology of antiquity. The encounter with the ancients may help us learn to live better, fuller lives today. (2 credits)
This course will be offered on Monday evenings from 7-9pm beginning January 12, 2009.
Fr. Joseph Raptosh, Director of Pastoral Formation at the Seminary, will teach the course.
Introduction to Catechetics
St. John Chrysostom, Cappadocian Fathers, Ambrose, Augustine, Luther, Bishop John Joseph de Camillis of Mukachevo…all these people made contributions to catechesis in the history of the Church. Along with these influences, development as a person and growth as a minister will be addressed as well as formation in the knowledge and skills of transmitting the Gospel as the catechist lives out their role to communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ. (2 credits)
This course is open to all coordinators, catechists and those aspiring to be catechists. This course will meet some of the requirements of Level I Basic Certification for Catechists endorsed by the Archeparchial Office of Religious Education.
This course will be offered on Monday evenings from 7-9pm beginning January 12, 2009.
Sr. Margaret Ann Andrako, OSBM, Director of Catechetical Formation at the Seminary, will teach the course.
Foundations of Spirituality II
Are you ready to dump the winter blahs and enrich your spiritual life this spring? Much of the spring semester coincides with the Great Fast, and so many of the topics that will be explored will parallel this season: repentance, fasting, the Fathers’ understanding of the eight principle vices. In addition, this course will look at the role of the Theotokos, the communion of the saints and then will finish with several sessions on spiritual direction and personal prayer. Students will also have the opportunity to do a meditative reading of the Hymns of Ephrem the Syrian which will form the basis of weekly discussions. (2 credits)
This course will be offered on Tuesday evenings from 7-9pm beginning January 13, 2009.
Archpriest John G. Petro, Rector of the Seminary, will teach the course.
The Holy Spirit in Ecumenical Perspective
There is a renewed interest in the Holy Spirit among individual Christians who hunger for a deeper connection with God; in the Church that seeks to renew herself through a return to authentic sources; and in the formal inquiry of religious sciences. In short, one hears the petition, Come Creator Spirit on many lips these days. This course will explore the Holy Spirit with particular sensitivity to the traditions of various Christian Churches and communities. (2 credits)
This course will be taught on Tuesday evenings from 7-9pm beginning January 13, 2009.
Fr. George D. Gallaro, who will teach this course, has served in the Vatican Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity.
The academic programs of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary are authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and are accredited 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 December 19, 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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