I talked about a program just like this in my article, The Orthodox Church of Tomorrow. This is a good sign, and we hope it opens up possibilities for advanced studies in Orthodox homiletics.
The Antiochian House of Studies, a department of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, is pleased to announce the establishment of the Ph.D. program in Orthodox Studies. His Eminence the Most Reverend Metropolitan Joseph, Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, heartily approves and blesses this pioneering initiative.
As the first such Antiochian Orthodox program set within the English-speaking framework in North America, the Ph.D. program is intended to train specialists in Biblical and Patristic Theology, with the specific aim of transmitting the wisdom and ethos of the Orthodox tradition to our theologians, educators and pastors.
In its mission to fulfill the ancient apostolic calling to build up Christian theological education, the Antiochian House of Studies is led by a team of renowned scholars who offer students of all backgrounds the opportunity to engage in scholarship at the highest level. Our Ph.D. scholars will specialize in research topics of their own choosing.
The House of Studies is of the conviction that the Ph.D. program in Orthodox Studies will contribute most significantly to fostering a deeper understanding of the critical challenges of our times. This profound enrichment of the Church’s intellectual life will enhance the pastoral work of all our clergy and our educators everywhere. Our graduates will ultimately bring invaluable scholarship to all Orthodox Christians, in turn enabling the faithful to bear witness to the Orthodox faith through profound intellectual and critical cultural engagement on all levels.
In addition, the promotion of research at the highest level will enable Orthodox scholars to be present with and engage in, a much-needed genuine dialogue with the Academy, as they interact with intellectuals of all religious and ethnic backgrounds.
This new Ph.D. program promises to deepen and adorn the whole project of advanced education under Orthodox auspices in North America.
For further details, please contact:
The Very Rev. Dr. Michel Najim
Director of the Ph.D. Program in Orthodox Studies
Antiochian House of Studies
frmphd@aol.com
