The Certificate Course is a one-year practical course that gives a comprehensive oversight of the history, worship, doctrine and practice of the Church, including an introduction to Holy Scripture. As a requirement for admission to the course, students will need to have a good grasp of the English language and hold a minimum of GCSE or equivalent educational qualification. Assessment comprises one 2500 word essay, several short multi-media presentations with (500 word maximum) seminar papers, and student contributions to the discussion in the sessions.
WHAT’S HAPPENING? 2nd.SATURDAY of Each Month: 9.30-7.15: 2024-5
OCTOBER 12th, 2024. All Students attend in Person. Lectures are Study Skills; The Church in the Modern World; Introduction to the Mysteries; What is Holy Scripture?
NOVEMBER 9th, 2024. The Church as a Worshipping Community; The Septuagint: The early Church, from the Resurrection to Constantine the Great; The Orthodox Church Building (Student Seminar 1); What is the Spiritual Life?
DECEMBER 14th, 2024. Ethical Issues; Service & Theology; The Orthodox Understanding of Creation; The Liturgical Books of the Church; Student Seminar 2
JANUARY 11th, 2025. Heresy & Schism in the Early Church; The Incarnation – the Person of Christ; Church Canons I, Introduction; The Nicene Faith; St. Irenaeus & Recapitulation.
FEBRUARY 8th, 2025. Nestorianism & Monophysitism; The Shape of Old Testament History; Divine Services – the Liturgy; The Problem of Iconoclasm.
MARCH 8th, 2025. Interpreting Scripture – Typology; Church Canons II (Student Seminar 3); The expansion of Christianity outside the Roman Empire; Church History in Britain & Ireland to 1066; Background to the New Testament.
APRIL 12th, 2025. Icons, their Development & Theology; The Great Schism & the Decline of the Empire; The Epistle to the Hebrews; OId Testament, Significant Themes; The Liturgical Year.
MAY 10th, 2025. Passion Narratives in the Four Gospels; Sacrifice – Propitiation, Atonement & Communion; The Synoptic gospels; John’s Gospel; Paul’s Epistles.
JUNE 14th, 2025. Essay Workshop; Holy Trinity; The Turkish Yoke, Balkan Churches & Roman Catholic Influences on Russian Orthodoxy; Daily Offices (Student Seminar 4); Church Canons III – Reception into the Church.
JULY 12th, 2025. All Students attend in Person. The Catholic Epistles; Salvation & Theosis; The Orthodox Church in the British Isles & Europe; The New Testament – How it is Used in Services; End of Year Review.
