School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

NEWT 6015

BTI Category

Church History/History of Religions

The Orthodox Church is known for its beautiful written prayers. Together we pray words that have been spoken by Orthodox Christians for centuries. Some of our most central prayers, such as the "Thrice Holy Hymn" and the "Our Father," draw from the Scriptures and Second Temple sources. Why do we pray the prayers of our forefathers and mothers? Why do we follow these formal patterns in our worship services?

In this course, we will explore the ways that the Orthodox Church turns continually toward the well-tested patterns of prayer; we sing from a common hymnbook. This course will study select New Testament and ancient Christian prayers from the first four centuries, with attention to their scriptural and inter-testamental archetypes. Special focus will be given to prayers with biblical phrases and quotations. The "Our Father" and other prayers in the New Testament will be of special interest, including the commentaries written about them in the early patristic writings. The development of the Christian biblical odes will be also be traced, showing how Old and New Testament archetypes served as the basis for early liturgical prayers. What does this tendency toward "scripturalization" of prayers mean about the Orthodox faith?


One of the learning outcomes for this course is that students will gain a greater awareness and appreciation for some of the biblical stories and characters that lie behind many of the prayers of the church, heroes of faith whom God saved through their prayers. We will thus rediscover some prayers that will inspire us today, and give us a greater appreciation for the tradition of Christian prayer and those who have prayed them before us.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

CHST 7252

BTI Category

Church History/History of Religions

This course examines the genre of Early Christian and Byzantine literature commonly referred to as "Hagiography." Texts to be read represent various forms and depict a wide variety of saint's lives. Attention will be given to the historical, social, literary and religious function of the texts as well as theological themes and popular religious practices reflected in them.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

PATR 5011

BTI Category

Church History/History of Religions

This introductory core-course consists of two parts: a) a general introduction to the Fathers and the main periods of Patristic Literature from post-apostolic times to the beginnings of the Schism between the Eastern and Western Churches (in the ninth century); and b) a brief profile of some of the most important Fathers of this period and their writings and doctrines focusing on the most influential of them.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

DOGM 5002

BTI Category

Church Polity/Canon Law

The Orthodox doctrine of the knowledge of God and of the doctrines of the Trinity, cosmology, and anthropology. Emphasis will be placed on the ancient Fathers and on contemporary Orthodox dogmaticians.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

CLAW 6012

BTI Category

Church Polity/Canon Law

A study of the holy canons understood as practical expressions of doctrinal truth, and their application in the life of the Church. The administrative structure of the local church will also be examined.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

ETHC 5001

BTI Category

Ethics (all traditions)

Christian moral theology is concerned with virtue not as an end in itself, but as an indispensable, challenging, and rewarding dimension of the Good Life, the Life in Christ. As such, a proper aim of Christian ethics is happiness, or rather blessedness; thus, St. Seraphim of Sarov's famous dictum: The goal of the Christian life is the acquisition of the Holy Spirit. Taking our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Panaghia as our primary ethical models, the class considers the meaning and shape of 'right action' within the matrix of Uncreated Grace.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

CHST 6051

BTI Category

Interreligious Learning

Students will be introduced to the historical development of Islam in the Middle East from its origins in the seventh century to the Ottoman Empire and the impact Islam had upon the Christian communities of the region. Particular attention will be given to the historical, political, and social conditions of these Christian communities under Islamic rule and law. The contemporary situation of Christians in the Middle East will also be examined. This Course fulfills the World Religions/Ecumenism requirement

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

PAST 7360

BTI Category

Interreligious Learning

We will look at humanity's quest for God from the beginning of time, and how four of the world's major religious traditions- Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism- developed. Along with their history, we will study their main teachings, worldview, and practice. Part of the class will include visiting temples of the other faiths. We will also look at the phenomenon of atheism and its own religious perspective. With each of these different religions, we will discuss Orthodox Christianity's understanding of other religions and how we are to dialogue and interact with them, trying to discover elements that could be acceptable within Orthodox Christianity, and how these bridges could be used in sharing our faith within other religions. This Course fulfills the World Religions/Ecumenism requirement.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

MDGK 5201 A

BTI Category

Languages

Modern Greek Lab

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

ECGK 5301

BTI Category

Languages

A study in the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament with concentration on the Psalms. This course also includes an introduction to the language of the Greek Fathers for the study of the Patristic Prayers used in the Orthodox Services. The texts used include the Orthos and Vesper Services. The aim of the course is to enable the students to understand, follow and use the original Greek of the Orthodox services. Prerequisites: New Testament Greek 1 and 2. or equivalent

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

MDGK 6301

BTI Category

Languages

A continuation of the study of the Greek language. A quick review of grammar and syntax with an emphasis on vocabulary building. Introduction to selected readings in Modern Greek. Required lab. Prereq: Beginning Modern Greek I and II.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

ECGK 5001

BTI Category

Languages

A study of the "koine" based on texts from the New Testament. The basic concepts of New Testament Greel Grammar, syntax and vocabulary are studied and applied on readings from the Gospels. The study is diachronic, taking into consideration the development of the Greek language from its Classical origin to the "koine" and modern Greek. The aim of the course is to immerse the students in the study of the texts.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

MDGK 5201

BTI Category

Languages

This is an intensive course in the fundamentals of grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of the Modern Greek language. Extensive practice in listening, speaking and graded reading will take place. An oral-aural method is used to develop concurrently conversational and understanding skills. Lab Required.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

MDGK 6301 A

BTI Category

Languages

Modern Greek Lab

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

MDGK 6401 A

BTI Category

Languages

Modern Greek Lab

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

MDGK 6401

BTI Category

Languages

A continuation of Intermediate Modern Greek I. Intensive study of the language with emphasis on vocabulary building and oral usage. Readings of literary texts with selected passages on religion and modern Greek culture. Required lab. Prereq: Intermediate Modern Greek II.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

PAST 7252 A

BTI Category

Leadership Formation & Ministry Skills

Field Education

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

PAST 7252

BTI Category

Leadership Formation & Ministry Skills

The purpose of this course is to integrate the experiences that students have in their field education placement with the theological and organizational principles of parish administration. Students will have an opportunity to reflect upon various dimensions of ministry. Field placements have been designed to give exposure to various aspects of parish life including pastoral visitations, preaching, worship and administration. Course is cross listed as FLED 7201.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

PAST 6662

BTI Category

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Issues of mental illness and health continue to challenge pastors and ministers as they seek to guide their parishes and communities. Recent events related to the pandemic have increased the rates of mental illness in our communities, heightened the need for pastors to possess a basic level of competency related to understanding mental health and illness. Mental illness and health, how we define it, how we identify it, and how we address it calls into question how we understand God, human nature, the person, free will/personal agency, and the relationship that these issues, theologically, have with the broad field of mental health, commonly referred to as psychology. This class will explore these issues as they apply to the most prevalent issues of mental health that a pastor/priest/minister will encounter in the parish. Special emphasis will be placed on the relationship between theology and psychology and the role of the pastor/priest/minister in ministering to people struggling with issues of mental health in the parish.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

PAST 6011

BTI Category

Practical/Pastoral Theology

As one part of your journey here at Holy Cross, this course, the Theology of Pastoral Care I, is intended to help you integrate and apply the knowledge you have acquired in other classes into your own life and in pastoral care situations. As a Field Education Course for hospital ministry, you will be placed in a local hospital for the semester. Specifically, we will explore hospital ministry as one aspect of pastoral care, as we develop a theology of pastoral care. The intent of this class is not to provide you with the right answers for pastoral situations. Rather, this course is designed, with the readings, class discussions, theological reflection groups, and assignments to develop your knowledge and skills related to hospital ministry as well as your personal identity as an Orthodox Christian seminarian and future minister or priest. Course is cross-listed as FLED 6101.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

PAST 6052

BTI Category

Practical/Pastoral Theology

The course will examine the Orthodox theological understanding of marriage and family. It will include a focus on the characteristics of both healthy and unhealthy relationships. Issues which negatively affect marital and family relationships, such as addictions, as well as psychological, verbal, physical, and sexual abuse, will be examined. Attention will also be given to clergy marriages and the issue of clerical "burnout." The role of the pastoral caregiver in ministering to marriages and families will be emphasized.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

PAST 6011 A

BTI Category

Practical/Pastoral Theology

Field Education

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

MUSB 5011

BTI Category

Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual

The sacraments and services found in the Great Euchologion are studied for practical use. Prereq: Byzantine Music I and Ecclesiastical Chant in English.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

MUSB 6301

BTI Category

Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual

This course is a systematic study of the theoretical and practical aspects of the Third, Fourth and Plagal First Modes of the Psaltic Art within the context of the Anastasimatarion. By the end of the semestet students will be able to petfotm the tesuttectional hymns of the litutgical book of Octoechos ot Parakletike of the afotementioned modes in both parallage (solmization) and melos (melody).

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

LITG 6355

BTI Category

Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual

This class will cover initiation (baptism, christmation and the Eucharist) from a historical, theological, liturgical and pastoral point of view.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

MUSB 5101

BTI Category

Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual

This course is a systematic introduction to the basic theory and notation of the Psaltic Art. It will provide a solid foundation for a further study of the liturgical repertoire of the Greek Orthodox Church. Topics to be covered include the history and function of the notation, a thorough examination of key musical concepts (e.g. note, interval, scale, tempo, rhythm, genus, mode, tetrachord, etc.), and a study of the role of music in Greek Orthodox worship. By the end of the semester students will be able to sight-read and perform simple hymns written in the New Method of Analytical Notation in both parallage (solmization) and melos (melody).

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

MUSB 6831

BTI Category

Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual

The material taught in this course is equivalent to the material taught in the 4th year of Gteek conservatories and provides comprehensive preparation for the final examination required for a Holy Cross Certificate in Byzantine Music. Students are expected to become competent in performing more technically demanding repettoire, including Gregoty Ptotopsaltis' chetubic hymns, Pettos the Peloponnesian's communion hymns, Pettos the Peloponnesian's Kytie i en pollais amattiais, Ioannis Koukouzelis' Anothen oiprofitai, the ancient hymn Ton despotin kai archierea, and the anaphota hymns for the Divine Litutgy of St. Basil. Prerequisites: Byzantine Music I-V.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

PAST 7212

BTI Category

Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual

A required practicum for those enrolled in PAST 7201 in the current/previous semester.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

MUSB 6701

BTI Category

Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual

This course is a systematic study of Byzantine hymns chanted during major feast days of the ecclesiastical year of the Greek Orthodox Church within the context of the Doxastarion. A great emphasis will be placed on studying the idiomela and doxastika for the feasts of Christmas, Theophany, Annunciation, Dormition of the Virgin Mary, as well as the idiomela and doxastika for the periods of Triodion and Pentecostation. Prerequisites: Byzantine Music I-V.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

MUSB 6501

BTI Category

Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual

This course is a systematic study of (i) the model melodies (prologoi-prosomoia) commonly used in musical settings of Byzantine hymns, and (ii) the hymns chanted in sacraments and other services of the Greek Orthodox Church (baptism, wedding, funeral, sanctification of water, etc.). By the end of the semester students will be able to perform the majority of hymns found in the liturgical books without relying on a musical score.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

MUSB 6913

BTI Category

Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual

This course is a systematic study of the post-Byzantine para-liturgical genre of kalophonic heirmos, intended for soloistc performance after the end of the Divine Liturgy, at banquets, visits of eminent secular or religious figures, and other festive accasions. We will study the history, development and musical morphology of the genre, as well as it's manuscript and print tradition and the lives and works of it's composers.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

MUSW 5351

BTI Category

Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual

Although open to all students, this semester-long course is required of all seminarians. The class aims to improve individual voices while working with a class. The fundamentals of chanting/singing will be used, which include: attitude, posture, control of breath, attacks and releases, the jaw (neck and throat), registers, resonance, enunciation, etc. It is recommended that seminarians take the course during their first year.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

PAST 7201

BTI Category

Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual

This course is a preparation for the ministry of proclaiming the word of the kingdom. Students are exposed to the theology of preaching, and methods of interpretation, preparation, and production of sermons. Lectures examine the listening assembly and the listening pulpit, the Liturgy and the homily, experiencing and expressing the word. The emphasis is on the prophetic, as well as on the practical, dimension of preaching. While this course is taught in the fall semester, the practical segment continues in the Fr. Veronis spring semester.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

LITG 5301

BTI Category

Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual

A liturgical practicum designed to help the candidate for ordination develop a liturgical ethos, style, and presence. The course offers an analysis of the structural elements of the divine services and instruction on the use of the liturgical books of the Orthodox Church. The course is especially concerned to help the student develop skills for the proper conduct and celebration of the divine services. The class allows for role-playing and analysis. Teleturgics I deals specifically with vespers, orthros the preparatory rites for the Divine Liturgy, i.e., Kairos, vesting and proskomide. The development, care and meaning of vestments is also dealt with.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

MUSW 5352

BTI Category

Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual

Although open to all students, this semester-long course is required of all seminarians. The class aims to improve individual voices while working with a class. The fundamentals of chanting/singing will be used, which include: attitude, posture, control of breath, attacks and releases, the jaw (neck and throat), registers, resonance, enunciation, etc. It is recommended that seminarians take the course during their first year.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

PAST 5052

BTI Category

Religious Education and Youth Ministry

This course considers the various ministries in which participating students will eventually be engaged within the life of the Church. We will examine the current scope of youth ministry efforts across parishes within the canonical Orthodox jurisdictions in North America, with a special emphasis on certain youth programs/ministries that exist on the parish, metropolis (diocesan) and archdiocesan levels. Source documents and practices of Orthodox Youth Ministry across North America will be examined, as will the wide range of issues confronting Orthodox Youth.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

OLDT 7301

BTI Category

Scripture & Biblical Studies

Christ's birth, life, crucifixion, and glorious resurrection were all prophesied centuries earlier in Old Testament
times. This course aims to reconstruct the prehistory of Christ or the Old Testament messianism as it unfolds in

the Pentateuch, Psalms and Prophets. Selected messianic texts will be interpreted in the light of patristic traditions
with references to modern scholarship as well.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

OLDT 5001

BTI Category

Scripture & Biblical Studies

The Introduction to the study of the Old Testament is not, and cannot be, a substitute of the Old Testament, but rather a preparatory step, a reading guide, and a candid invitation to reading the Old Testament. The course is divided into two parts. The General Introduction deals with the Old Testament as history, literature, and part of the living tradition. The following topics are discussed in detail: unity in diversity of the Christian Bible, biblical text, biblical canon, and relationship between Scripture and Tradition. The Special Introduction survey the books of the Old Testament (including the anaginoskomena) and focuses on some theological themes rooted in the Pentateuch and running throughout the Old and New Testaments along with their interpretations within various hermeneutical contexts (Jewish, Christian, modern scholarship). The two themes discussed here are God and humanity.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

NEWT 7025

BTI Category

Scripture & Biblical Studies

This exegetically based course will explore Paul's varied pastoral responses to the differing circumstances his communities presented to him. Particular attention will be given to (1) the character and work of Paul as a shaper of communities, and (2) the manner in which Paul relies on, but also transforms, ancient patterns of moral formation and ancient styles of rhetoric.

School:

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

NEWT 5002

BTI Category

Systematic Theology & Philosophy (Western)

A required survey of the New Testament books in their historical and religious background with attention to hermeneutics, the patristic exegetical heritage, and modern biblical studies.