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BTI Consortium | Last Updated November 17, 2025 - 3:00PM
PREACHING, LITURGY, & RITUAL
School
Boston University School of Theology
STHTC 715
Introduction to Preaching
BTI Category
Semester
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP26
An introduction to the theology and practice of preaching within the context of Christian ministry and worship. Students develop skills necessary for preparation, composition, delivery, and critique of sermons.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Adkins-Jones, Tim
R
12:30-3:15pm
Grading Option
Letter or P/F
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Harvard Divinity School
HDS 2034
Leading Music in Ritual
BTI Category
Semester
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP26
This course will explore the leadership of music in the public rituals of religious, liturgical, and social movements, drawing on historical research, current practice in local communities, and students’ own experience to answer questions about the role of music across religious and spiritual traditions as well as in movement-based activism. How does music inspire, connect, celebrate, and console? Where is the boundary between performance and prayer/meditation/worship? How does a song interact with its text to enhance and define the ritual space? Students will learn practical tools in leading song with their voices or musical instruments through the study of hymns, psalm chanting, and other folk and popular music traditions. The course is designed for students interested in ministerial or other ritual leadership who would like to expand their knowledge of musical literature, its current practice, and the history of music in the development and practice of religious traditions.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Hossfeld
M
09:00am-10:59am
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
4
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Harvard Divinity School
HDS 2922
Preaching and Worship in the Black Church Tradition
BTI Category
Semester
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP26
This course engages students in historical, theological, and practical study of preaching and worship in the Black Church tradition. Readings in black homiletics and practical theologies of worship introduce students to a variety of approaches for the development and delivery of sermons and for the construction and ministerial leadership of worship within black Christian church contexts. The course considers these proposals for ministry practice against the backdrop of the social, political, economic, and cultural dynamics that shape the contemporary context of black communal life in the United States. The purpose of the course is to increase students' ministerial capacity through the incorporation of theological and practical wisdom from the Black Church tradition into their own understandings and uses of ritual and rhetoric.This is a limited enrollment course. To apply, send a statement to thickmanmaynard@hds.harvard.edu with the following information: your name, degree program, year of study, school or university, previous relevant academic background, and a brief statement of your goals for the course.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Hickman-Maynard
T
03:00pm-05:45pm
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
4
Professor Approval Req'd?
Y
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
This is a limited enrollment course. To apply, send a statement to thickmanmaynard@hds.harvard.edu with the following information: your name, degree program, year of study, school or university, previous relevant academic background, and a brief statement of your goals for the course.
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
LITG 5002 Z1
Liturgics
BTI Category
Semester
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP26
This course will explore the structures, content, theology, and ethos of the Church's liturgical life. It will also provide a brief but inclusive glimpse of the historical evolution of the liturgical rites. Furthermore, the Liturgy will be studied from pastoral, spiritual, and theological perspectives. The course seeks to provide the student with basic theological criteria for the comprehension of the whole liturgical tradition of the Church.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Rev. Dr. Philip Zymaris
ASYNC
ASYNC
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
Y
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
LITG 5323
Teleturgics II for Antiochians
BTI Category
Semester
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP26
A liturgical practicum designed primarily 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.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Rev. Dr. Elie Estephan
R
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
2.5
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
MUSB 5101
Byzantine Music I
BTI Category
Semester
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP26
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).
Professor
Class Day & Time
Rev. Dr. Romanos Karanos
TR
2:10 - 3:00 PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
1.5
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
MUSB 6022 Z1
Advanced Chant In English
BTI Category
Semester
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP26
This course is a study of the standard hymns ( Lord I have Cried, daily Prokeimena, God is the Lord, Great Doxology, Antiphons, Trisagion, etc.) of vespers, orthros, divine liturgy, and the sacraments for practical use. All of the hymns will be studied in English in all of the eight modes with the aid of various musical settings.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Mr. Georgios Theodoridis
W
3:30 - 4:50 PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
1.5
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
Y
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
MUSB 6501
Byzantine Music V
BTI Category
Semester
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP26
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.
Professor
Class Day & Time
TO BE ANNOUNCED
TBD
TBD
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
1.5
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
MUSB 6831
Byzantine Music IX
BTI Category
Semester
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP26
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.
Professor
Class Day & Time
TO BE ANNOUNCED
TBD
TBD
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
MUSW 5351
Voice Class
BTI Category
Semester
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP26
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.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Ms. Brooke Wilcox
R
3:30 - 4:20 PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
0.5
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Boston College School of Theology & Ministry
TMPS7311
Christian Sacred Music: Survey and Application
BTI Category
Semester
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP26
This course explores the vast treasury of Christian sacred music.While the development of music in (Roman-Rite) liturgy anchors the historical survey, the course engages other sacred repertoire allied (and at times, overlapping) with liturgy.These include operas, symphonies, folk songs, soundtracks, and soundscapes.Moreover, through theological aesthetics and some performance practice, this course addresses issues relating to musics pastoral application: Is there a way out of bad church music? What repertoire can educators or preachers draw upon to inspire curriculum or animate homilies?How can music help people pray?To what extent might secular music be sacred?
Professor
Class Day & Time
Ganir, Phillip A, SJ
R
03:30PM-06:20PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
Y
Notes
None. However, for students who do not read music, they will need to acquire that ability earlier in the semester (in order to read music at the level of basic chant and the vocal score of a Bach chorale). The professor will provide.
School
Boston University School of Theology
STHTC 845
Parish Preaching
BTI Category
Semester
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP26
The central, crucial role of preaching in a parish setting involves engagement with other congregational ministries and with the needs and resources of the larger community. This course is intended as a second level, advanced preaching course, with emphasis on the context of preaching. The course offers multiple opportunities to develop and preach sermons. Attention is given both to regular Sunday preaching and also to particular sermons for various occasions: special events, Stewardship Sunday, funerals and weddings, Advent and Lent, national observances (Fourth of July, Mothers' Day, New Year's, Thanksgiving, other), denominational requirements, and civic addresses. The interactive engagement of the preaching ministry with parish ministry as a whole is the focus of the course.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Hill, Bob
M
8:00-10:45am
Grading Option
Letter or P/F
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Harvard Divinity School
HDS 2907
Introduction to Public Preaching
BTI Category
Semester
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP26
Carrying forth the preaching pedagogy of Rev. Peter Gomes, this course focuses on the practice of textual preaching from the Hebrew Bible and New Testament. The course is taught by Rev. Daniel Smith (Senior Minister, First Church in Cambridge, Congregational, UCC). It emphasizes exegesis, worship context, sermon content and delivery. Participants will be expected to prepare and deliver three essays and three sermons. The course is limited to 8 students. Petitions will not be reviewed until the first day of classes. All interested students should attend the first day of class at Memorial Church on Thursday, January 30, 2025. If more than 8 students show for the first class and wish to take the course, a list of admitted students will be posted later that day.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Smith
R
12:00pm-02:30pm
Grading Option
Letter
Credits
4
Professor Approval Req'd?
Y
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
The course is limited to 8 students. Petitions will not be reviewed until the first day of classes. All interested students should attend the first day of class at Memorial Church on Thursday, January 30, 2025. If more than 8 students show for the first class and wish to take the course, a list of admitted students will be posted later that day
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
LITG 5002
Liturgics
BTI Category
Semester
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP26
This course will explore the structures, content, theology, and ethos of the Church's liturgical life. It will also provide a brief but inclusive glimpse of the historical evolution of the liturgical rites. Furthermore, the Liturgy will be studied from pastoral, spiritual, and theological perspectives. The course seeks to provide the student with basic theological criteria for the comprehension of the whole liturgical tradition of the Church.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Rev. Dr. Philip Zymaris
F
9:10 - 11:30 AM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
LITG 5322
Teleturgics II: A Liturgical Prac.
BTI Category
Semester
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP26
A liturgical practicum designed primarily 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 II delas specifically with the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil and Chrysostom as well as the Pre-sanctified Liturgy. Special attention will be given to how one conducts the liturgy when a hierarch is serving. After this the class will deal with Baptism, Christmation, Marriage, Ordination, Confession, Unction, Funeral and various other blessing services. Prerequisite: Biblical or Ancient Greek
Professor
Class Day & Time
Rev. Dr. Philip Zymaris
R
9:10 - 11:10 AM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
2.5
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
MUSB 5002 Z1
Ecclesiastical Chant I
BTI Category
Semester
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP26
The eight tones are studied. Hymns from various services, including Vespers and the Divine Liturgy are chanted in English.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Mr. Georgios Theodoridis
W
1:40 - 3:20 PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
1.5
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
Y
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
MUSB 5502
Byzantine Music Chorus
BTI Category
Semester
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP26
The St. Romanos the Melodist Byzantine Choir is a vocal ensemble that performs faithful and spiritually uplifting renditions of the Byzantine and post-Byzantine sacred musical works in the traditional style created and preserved at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople. The choir regularly performs in liturgical services as well as at concerts, conferences, lectures, fundraising events, state and national holiday celebrations, and school cermonies both in Boston and throughout the United States. In addition to Byzantine chant, it performs Greek folk music, poular and arts songs, as well as modern English adaptations and original settings of sacred texts. The choir meets weekly to study and rehearse the repertoire for upcoming performances.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Rev. Dr. Romanos Karanos
R
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
0.5
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
MUSB 6301
Byzantine Music III
BTI Category
Semester
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP26
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).
Professor
Class Day & Time
Rev. Dr. Romanos Karanos
TR
1:20 - 2:10 PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
1.5
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
Y
Notes
Prereq: Byzantine Music I
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
MUSB 6701
Byzantine Music VII
BTI Category
Semester
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP26
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.
Professor
Class Day & Time
TO BE ANNOUNCED
TBD
TBD
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
1.5
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
MUSB 6913
Kalophonic Heirmologion
BTI Category
Semester
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP26
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.
Professor
Class Day & Time
TO BE ANNOUNCED
TBD
TBD
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Saint John's Seminary
ST500
Liturgy and Sacraments
BTI Category
Semester
Preaching, Liturgy, & Ritual
SP26
The goal of this course is to give the students a fuller appreciation of the liturgical life of the Church. This will be accomplished by first addressing a general understanding of what is meant by liturgy. The course will then look at each of the sacraments of the Church developing both an historical perspective of the sacraments’ liturgical expression and appreciation of the theology that underlies each of the sacraments. As part of the coursework the current ritual expression of each sacrament will be addressed to see how it continues the traditions of the Church and how it expresses the theology of the sacrament. This course is a hybrid course of alternating in-person classes at Our Lady Help of Christians in Newton, MA, and online meetings using the Canvas learning platform.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Fr. Mahoney
T
6:00-8:00 PM
Grading Option
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
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