Mapping the field of a “theology of worship,” this course builds a research conversation between texts and practice. We set out core concepts, sources (catecheses, commentaries on the Divine Liturgy, homilies), and interpretive methods. We study continuities and differences between Jewish and Christian worship and the biblical grounding of liturgy. Special attention goes to mystagogy: Odo Casel, the Mystagogical Catecheses, and Byzantine commentators on “mystery.” We probe the identity of Church and Eucharist, the eschatological horizon, and the relation of lex orandi to lex credendi. Topics include the disciplina arcana; Christological, Trinitarian, Pneumatological, and Mariological themes; symbolism, realism, and ascetic practice. We close with the Western Liturgical Movement and Orthodox proposals for “liturgical renewal,” with attention to method and evidence.

Course webpage (eClass): https://eclass.uoa.gr/courses/SOCTHEOL243/

This course examines the historical development, pedagogical objectives, and methodological approaches of religious education within Greek secondary schools. Students analyze curricula, contemporary learning theories, and instructional design while developing critical understanding of the ideological and epistemological frameworks shaping religious instruction. Particular attention focuses on fundamental religious concepts (narrative, symbol, doctrine, parable) and their pedagogical applications. The curriculum encompasses case studies from textbooks, assessment techniques, and contemporary issues including religious pluralism and human rights. Participants explore psycho-pedagogical factors influencing teaching practice and study how analytical programs translate educational principles into classroom implementation. Through examining teaching plans and evaluation methods, students cultivate a research-oriented disposition toward pedagogical practice. The course prepares future educators to navigate the complex intersection of religious content, educational theory, and diverse classroom contexts, fostering professional competence grounded in reflective inquiry and scholarly rigor.

Course webpage (eClass): https://eclass.uoa.gr/courses/SOCTHEOL276/

This course examines the legal organization of Orthodox communities within multi-layered jurisdictions. Students study Church-State relations, administrative systems of Patriarchates and Autocephalous Churches, and jurisdictional questions involving family, property, and criminal law. The curriculum addresses religious freedom, human rights, and distinctions between canonicity and legality. Content covers Greek and international frameworks, including special regimes such as Mount Athos. Students acquire analytical tools for examining ecclesiastical legal questions and understanding how religious traditions interact with contemporary legal systems. Topics include constitutional provisions, international treaties, monastic law, taxation, heritage protection, and diaspora issues. Through primary sources and comparative analysis, participants develop competence in navigating both secular and ecclesiastical legal orders. The methodological approach prepares students for advanced study in canonical science and interreligious dialogue, fostering critical engagement with diverse regulatory environments governing religious communities worldwide.

Course webpage (eClass): https://eclass.uoa.gr/courses/SOCTHEOL212/

This course examines the fundamental nature of society as an organized system with distinct identity and historical continuity. Students explore relationships between individuals and institutions, analyzing how social structures shape human experience. The study focuses on mechanisms that connect individuals to social institutions and on the interaction of institutions within the broader social framework. The course prepares students for advanced study in the sociology of religion and Christianity, providing conceptual tools for understanding religious phenomena within their social contexts. Students engage with theoretical frameworks that illuminate the dynamics of collective life and investigate patterns of social organization across different contexts. The approach combines theoretical analysis with empirical observations to develop a comprehensive understanding of social reality. Through systematic inquiry, students acquire foundational knowledge essential for examining how religious traditions function within and respond to their surrounding social environments.

Course webpage (eClass): https://eclass.uoa.gr/courses/SOCTHEOL376/

This course examines the relationship between archaeological evidence and religious practices in the ancient world. Students study material remains from biblical Israel and the Greco-Roman world, analyzing worship spaces and religious artifacts. Instruction focuses on biblical archaeology methodologies and the interpretation of findings through a religious studies lens. Participants develop critical analysis skills, connecting archaeological data with historical and theological questions. The course includes collaborative workshops where students reconstruct ancient religious spaces, familiarize themselves with sources and excavation techniques, and explore the transition from ancient worship forms to early Christianity. Students engage with both public and private expressions of devotion in Judaism and Greco-Roman contexts, learning to apply contemporary archaeological methods to understanding the religious character of material culture. This inquiry-based approach prepares students to interpret how physical evidence illuminates ancient religious life.

Course webpage (eClass): https://eclass.uoa.gr/courses/SOCTHEOL460/

This course examines the intersection of religion and diplomacy through historical experience and contemporary practice. It analyzes how civilizations function as complex systems in constant adaptation, often entering critical phases. Byzantine diplomacy offers lessons for modern negotiators, revealing strategies of survival and expansion. Students explore how tradition and modernity coexist, how religious actors contribute to crisis resolution, and how political logic shapes interpretations of civilizations. The course cultivates critical thinking about the Church's role in international relations, equipping participants with analytical tools for understanding the interaction between religious institutions and diplomatic practice. Drawing from the Amarna Letters to present-day conflicts, the curriculum investigates whether diplomacy serves negotiation or becomes an instrument of national interest. Students consider how religious communities can promote tolerance, accommodate different needs, and build methods of compromise in addressing contemporary global challenges.

Course webpage (eClass): https://eclass.uoa.gr/courses/SOCTHEOL237/

This course explores the relationship between Orthodox Theology and contemporary scientific thought through systematic analysis of critical questions. Students examine the historical development of Religion-Science discourse, epistemological criteria for evaluating religious and scientific knowledge, and the problem of theodicy within modern contexts. The curriculum addresses Theology as a scholarly discipline, the concept of miracle, and dimensions of faith in relation to knowledge. Participants study how theological and scientific inquiry can coexist productively, engaging with philosophy of science and contemporary epistemological debates. The course provides tools for interdisciplinary dialogue, analyzing tensions and convergences between empirical science and Christian Revelation. Through epistemological approaches drawn from both traditions, students develop critical understanding of how religious belief and scientific methodology inform distinct yet complementary ways of knowing reality.

Course webpage (eClass): https://eclass.uoa.gr/courses/SOCTHEOL139/

This course examines entrepreneurship and innovation principles within ecclesiastical administration contexts. Students explore how church legal entities function as organizations with distinct operational objectives, resource management requirements, and responsibilities toward their communities. The curriculum covers foundational concepts including leadership, risk management, human resource development strategies, and business ethics, with particular attention to their application in ecclesiastical settings. Through business plan development and case study analysis, students develop capacities to connect theological understanding with practical administrative skills, preparing for effective stewardship of church assets and programs. Topics include legal structures for ministry ventures, strategic problem-solving approaches, and the integration of innovative thinking with traditional ecclesial missions. The course provides a comprehensive framework upon which specialized management methodologies can be built, establishing connections with other departmental offerings in theology and organizational studies.

Course webpage (eClass): https://eclass.uoa.gr/courses/SOCTHEOL211/

This course traces fundamental approaches to understanding religious phenomena through the historical development of religious studies. Beginning with Ionian philosophers and extending to contemporary theoretical directions, students investigate contributions from seminal figures including Müller, Otto, van der Leeuw, and Eliade. Analysis centers on interpretive theories—manism, animism, totemism—alongside explorations of religion's relationship with the unconscious through Freudian and Jungian perspectives. Particular attention addresses Campbell's comparative mythology and current methodological challenges facing religious studies scholarship. Students cultivate critical capacities for evaluating diverse theoretical frameworks that have shaped scholarly understanding of religion. The curriculum examines how successive generations of scholars have formulated questions about religious origins, functions, and meanings, preparing participants to engage thoughtfully with ongoing debates in the field. Through sustained attention to primary sources and interpretive traditions, the course equips students with analytical tools essential for advanced study in religious studies.

Course webpage (eClass): https://eclass.uoa.gr/courses/SOCTHEOL269/

This course examines cinematic art as a field for theological interpretation and spiritual expression. Students explore fundamental questions in film theory through works by major directors including Chaplin, Dreyer, and De Sica, tracing theological dimensions of image and spectacle. The approach connects the medium's history with interpretive tools from Orthodox tradition, investigating how cinema shapes and reflects spiritual inquiry. Core themes include analysis of cinematic language, the relationship between image and transcendence, and critical examination of iconization in contemporary culture. Students engage classical film alongside theological frameworks, developing methods for reading visual narrative through religious perspectives. The course offers an original synthesis of theological and cinematic thought, addressing how moving images communicate meaning beyond surface narrative and participate in broader questions of representation, mystery, and human experience.

Course webpage (eClass): https://eclass.uoa.gr/courses/SOCTHEOL259/

This course trains students in library research techniques and academic writing through hands-on practice. Participants work in major library facilities (the Theological School Library, the Central Library of the School of Philosophy, and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation National Library) while mastering principles of scholarly composition. Through on-site exercises and completion of a short paper, students develop skills in locating sources, evaluating materials critically, and presenting research findings systematically. Both collaborative and individual work cultivates the methodological independence required for undergraduate studies in Social Theology and Religious Studies. Sessions alternate between library environments, where students conduct practical research tasks, and classroom instruction focused on academic writing conventions. The course provides foundational preparation for students' scholarly development.

Course webpage (eClass): https://eclass.uoa.gr/courses/SOCTHEOL239/

This course examines the seven Ecumenical Councils (325–787 CE) as historical events and theological milestones that shaped Orthodox faith. Students study the doctrinal questions that prompted each Council's convocation, the theological debates that ensued, and the canonical decisions that influenced ecclesiastical law. The instruction draws on primary sources (Minutes, Sacred Canons, patristic texts) alongside audiovisual materials to highlight connections between theology and ecclesial organization. The approach combines historical analysis with theological interpretation, enabling participants to understand how conciliar decisions contributed to the formation of ecclesial identity and tradition. Students engage with the Councils' spiritual, theological, and administrative dimensions, exploring how these gatherings addressed pressing controversies while establishing frameworks for Church governance. The course serves those seeking to deepen their grasp of the conciliar tradition and its enduring significance for understanding Christian doctrine, canon law, and ecclesial self-understanding across centuries.

This course provides a systematic introduction to the historical development, foundational principles, and cultural expressions of Islam. We examine the religion's origins and global dissemination alongside the study of diverse Muslim communities across geographical and historical contexts. Analysis focuses on the Five Pillars, the Qur'an, the Sunna, and the major theological schools, Sunni, Shi'a, and Sufi traditions. We explore the social and cultural dimensions of Muslim life, the relationship between religion and political organization, and Islamic contributions to the arts and sciences. Students develop comparative perspectives through the study of interreligious dialogues and apply their knowledge to contemporary questions concerning interfaith understanding and the critical deconstruction of stereotypes. The course equips participants with analytical tools for engaging meaningfully with one of the world's major religious traditions and its contemporary manifestations across diverse cultural settings.

This course introduces students to the study of the Church Fathers of the early centuries, examining their theological thought within its historical and cultural context. Students analyze texts from the second through ninth centuries, exploring how writers such as Irenaeus, Athanasius, the Cappadocian Fathers, and John of Damascus shaped Christian doctrinal and ethical teaching. The course equips students with tools for critical engagement with patristic literature, connecting patrological research with other theological disciplines including church history, biblical hermeneutics, and Christian ethics. Through careful reading of primary sources, students understand how the Fathers responded to the theological challenges of their time and how their legacy continues to shape contemporary theological discourse. The syllabus covers figures from Clement of Rome through Byzantine theologians, emphasizing the development of orthodoxy, liturgical hymnography, and pastoral wisdom across seven centuries of Christian intellectual history.

This course examines Christian ethics through three foundational dimensions. First, it explores the vertical relationship between humanity and the divine, investigating how faith shapes moral consciousness. Second, it analyzes the horizontal dimension of interpersonal and social relationships, including marriage and family life. Third, it addresses contemporary bioethical dilemmas emerging from medical and technological advances. Students develop critical skills in evaluating issues such as assisted reproduction, euthanasia, and organ transplantation. Through dialogical inquiry, the course encourages reflection on the meaning of human existence and the application of ethical principles to lived experience. Participants engage theological perspectives on life, death, and the complexities of modern biomedical decisions. The curriculum fosters autonomous and collaborative learning while cultivating respect for diverse viewpoints in multicultural contexts.

This course examines the Revelation of John as apocalyptic literature addressed to communities under pressure. Participants study the text within its historical and literary context, exploring its symbolic language and theological foundations. Analysis extends to the text's Jewish roots and the dialectical relationship between Judaism and Christianity. The course demonstrates Revelation's influence on Western civilization through art, literature, and cinema. Students engage in contemporary hermeneutical methods and digital research tools, developing critical skills in evaluating scholarly sources. Emphasis falls on the text's intercultural dimensions and on understanding eschatological movements that shaped social and political ideologies. Through guided exercises, students learn to distinguish reliable academic resources from propaganda, applying rigorous standards to biblical interpretation. The course situates Revelation within comparative religious studies, highlighting convergences between Jewish and Christian traditions while addressing contemporary issues of religious identity and interfaith dialogue.

This course examines Christianity as a social phenomenon with historical continuity and contemporary relevance. Students explore how Christian faith shapes collective identities, institutional practices, and cultural expressions across diverse geographical and historical contexts. Analysis focuses on interactions between religious belief, social organization, and moral choices. Topics include ecclesiology, pastoral practice, and theological reflection through sociological methods. The course develops critical understanding of contemporary transformations in Christian life and their implications for the public sphere, political culture, and economic relations. Students investigate how religious communities adapt to changing social conditions while maintaining theological commitments. Attention is given to denominational differences, ecumenical movements, and the role of Christianity in addressing social challenges. The course bridges theological scholarship and empirical research, preparing students for thoughtful engagement with religious institutions.

This course explores the institutions that have shaped Islamic civilization from its emergence to the present day. Through historical and comparative analysis, students examine political structures such as the Caliphate and Sultanate, religious establishments, educational centers, economic mechanisms, and social organizations. Study of endowments (waqf), family law, commercial practices, and philanthropy reveals how these institutions contributed to the development of art, science, and community life. Students develop analytical skills for understanding the interactions between institutional structures and cultural expressions. The approach encourages application of this knowledge to the study of contemporary social transformations in the Islamic world. By semester's end, students gain interpretive frameworks for assessing the significance of these institutions across different historical periods and geographical contexts.

This course investigates the intricate relationship between culture and religious experience. Students explore how cultural variables (language, social norms, collective memory) shape religious doctrines, ritual practices, and spiritual expressions. Simultaneously, the course examines how religious traditions influence cultural evolution. Through cross-cultural analysis, participants approach religious phenomena as culturally embedded realities. The methodology draws from folklore studies, social anthropology, community psychology, and ethnopsychology, offering interdisciplinary tools for understanding religious traditions within specific cultural frameworks. Students develop critical skills in analyzing how cultural stereotypes and historical contexts affect religious communities. The course emphasizes empirical observation over theoretical abstraction, encouraging participants to recognize the dynamic interplay between cultural constants and religious variables. By engaging with diverse case studies, learners gain insight into how religious communities negotiate identity, practice, and belief within cultural milieus.

The course examines the concept of health through biblical and patristic traditions, highlighting the relationship between body, soul, and spirit in human experience. The analysis focuses on texts from the Old and New Testaments, as well as the works of the Church Fathers, in order to present a holistic understanding of the human person. Students explore how theological anthropology shapes the understanding of physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being. The course content includes thematic units on healing, illness, sin, and salvation as conditions for human integrity. Through critical reading of primary sources, participants develop interpretive skills and connect ancient wisdom with contemporary approaches to health.

This course explores the intersection of criminological science and theological thought through the canonical tradition of the Church. Students investigate concepts of crime, offender, and victim as understood in secular and ecclesiastical contexts, identifying points of convergence and divergence. Analysis focuses on historical schools of criminology and the interdisciplinary methodology connecting canonical teaching with contemporary victimology. Course content addresses the anthropological dimension of criminal phenomena, proposals for prevention and rehabilitation, and the application of Gospel principles to correctional practice. Students examine the social nature of crime at individual and collective levels while developing critical skills in evaluating scholarly literature and interpreting canonical texts through criminological theory. The curriculum provides a methodological framework for theological engagement with questions of justice, restoration, and human transformation within both Church and society.

This course enables students to examine ecclesiastical hymnography as theological text and historical testimony. Working in groups of five, participants select a saint's hymnographic service and analyze it systematically. The investigation focuses on biographical elements of the commemorated figures, the virtues they cultivated, and the circumstances that led to their ecclesiastical recognition. Through careful reading of hymnographic texts, students discover how tradition preserves and transmits the spiritual message of the saints to the contemporary world. The laboratory framework encourages collaborative research and critical engagement with liturgical texts. Students learn to interpret the theological content embedded within poetic forms and to trace connections between hagiographical narratives and devotional practice. The course combines textual analysis with theological reflection, preparing students to understand how Christian communities have expressed their faith through hymnody across centuries.

This course examines the historical trajectory and theological contributions of the Ecumenical Patriarchate from 1453 to the present. Students explore the institution's survival under Ottoman rule, its relationships with emerging national churches, and its role in shaping Orthodox ecclesiology. Analysis extends to the Patriarchate's ecumenical initiatives, participation in interreligious dialogues, and contemporary challenges. Through primary sources and critical scholarship, the course clarifies the institution's position in global Orthodoxy, its cultural influence, and its theological stances on environmental and social justice issues. Students develop research skills for critically evaluating the Patriarchate's role in Christian history and contemporary interfaith dialogue. The curriculum combines lectures with seminars, encouraging sustained engagement with patriarchal encyclicals, theological texts, and scholarly interpretations. By course completion, students possess analytical tools for assessing how this ancient institution navigates modern complexities while maintaining Orthodox tradition and promoting Christian unity across denominational boundaries.

This course maps the interdisciplinary terrain of mental health, knitting together neuroscience, theological anthropology and public health. By tracing historical models of psychosomatic function, interrogating the notion of “normality,” and evaluating current prevention programs, participants forge a critical lens for identifying factors that strengthen or erode psychic resilience at both personal and communal scales. Research design, pedagogical practice and the soteriological dimensions of promotion are treated as mutually nourishing axes of an embodied theology of the human mind.

This course examines the pedagogical application of biblical texts in contemporary education. Students study themes and motifs from the Old and New Testament, exploring their hermeneutic reception by Church Fathers, art, and diverse cultures. Through case studies they analyze values such as dialogue, affirmation of personhood, and freedom of human choice. The course investigates the design of teaching proposals for secondary education classrooms, applying constructivist learning models and psychopedagogical methods. Students develop lesson plans, conduct teaching sessions in partner schools, and evaluate their experience. Theoretical approaches combine with practical training to cultivate competencies in religious education adapted to the developmental needs of each age group. The curriculum addresses systematic planning, teaching methodology, and reflective practices required for implementing religious studies programs while fostering moral sensitivity and holistic understanding.

This course explores the multifaceted religious tradition of Hinduism through historical, textual, and theoretical analysis. Beginning with definitional questions surrounding the term itself, the curriculum traces the tradition's origins from Indus Valley civilization through Vedic heritage to the epic period. Students examine major branches (Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism) alongside the philosophical systems of the darshanas. Core concepts including karma, samsara, dharma, and liberation connect with social realities: caste structure, life-cycle rituals, women's roles within Hindu society. The treatment of reformist movements from the nineteenth century forward reveals contemporary Hinduism's continuing vitality. Sacred literature receives sustained attention, from foundational Vedic texts through sectarian writings of specific sampradayas. Approaches to divinity (monistic, theistic, iconic) illuminate diverse pathways within a single tradition.

This course examines the lives, ministry, and teaching of figures who shaped the trajectory of the Church of Greece during the modern period. Students study hierarchs, clergy, and scholars through the lens of political, intellectual, and social upheavals generated by ideas from the Western European Enlightenment. A central question concerns the negotiation of relationships between state and ethnicity, Church and polity. The confrontation between Konstantinos Oikonomos's traditional position and Theokletos Pharmakidis's reformist approach provides an analytical framework for understanding ecclesiastical developments. Through the writings and activities of figures including Adamantios Korais, Chrysostomos Papadopoulos, and Amilkas Alivizatos, students analyze transformative processes in ecclesiastical history. The course illuminates how leadership figured decisively in institutional evolution during a period when foundational questions about religious authority, national identity, and ecclesiastical governance demanded sustained theological and practical engagement.

This course explores dialogue as a theological practice shaped by Trinitarian, Christological, and Pneumatological perspectives. Christian thought emerged through conversation with Jews and Greeks, later encountering Islam and diverse religious traditions. We examine the philosophy and methodology of dialogues, their objectives, and their relationship to rhetorical forms. The post-World War II era introduced new possibilities through the World Council of Churches, linking dialogue with peace, justice, and Christian witness. Studying theoretical frameworks alongside specific examples, we recognize the transformative power of dialogue within theological tradition and contemporary life. Students investigate how theological commitments inform dialogical practice and how encounter with religious others enriches Christian understanding. The course addresses practical questions about conducting meaningful conversations across traditions while maintaining theological integrity and pursuing shared concerns for human flourishing.

This course explores the foundations of Islamic Law through systematic analysis of its primary and secondary sources. Students examine the Qur'an as the central text of legal and moral guidance, while the Sunnah reveals how the Prophet's teachings shaped interpretive tradition. Ijma and Qiyas introduce methods through which jurists extended law beyond explicit texts. Secondary sources such as Istihsan, Maslaha, and 'Urf illuminate the system's flexibility in addressing new realities. Through comparative study of juridical schools, participants develop critical capacity to evaluate Islamic Law's application in contemporary social and political contexts. The course equips students to recognize foundational principles, apply hermeneutical methods to modern questions, and assess how different interpretive communities navigate tradition and change within Muslim societies.

This course introduces students to the study of Arabic as both a living and historical language within the Islamic and Mediterranean worlds. Through progressive engagement with the Arabic script, syntax, and essential vocabulary, participants develop the ability to read and comprehend short texts in Modern Standard Arabic while recognizing the distinctions among spoken dialects. Special attention is devoted to Qur’anic Arabic and to Arabic-Islamic terminology that enhances research in the fields of theology and religious studies. Beyond linguistic training, the course offers an introduction to Arabic literary traditions and to the broader cultural expressions that have shaped the intellectual and aesthetic identity of the Arab world across centuries.

This course explores the relationship between the Book of Revelation and contemporary literature by analysing works by renowned twentieth-century authors. Students will study how literary texts by international and modern Greek writers adopt and transform the apocalyptic language, structure and symbolic imagery of the Book of Revelation. The focus of the instruction is on the interpretive exploration of how writers with different religious beliefs engage in creative dialogue with the Apocalyptic discourse. Through critical analysis of texts and the composition of a seminar paper, students will develop the skills required to interpret intertextual relationships and understand the theological dimension of literary writing. The course explores how authors incorporate biblical motifs, narrative patterns and prophetic visions into modern literary contexts, showcasing the lasting impact of apocalyptic thought on creative expression.

This course explores counseling psychology as an applied field facilitating lifelong personal and interpersonal functioning. Students examine the communicative process between counselor and client, focusing on decision-making, crisis management, and relationship enhancement. Analysis includes preventive approaches through community education and awareness-building. The curriculum investigates intersections between Orthodox Theology and Counseling Psychology, uncovering models that promote self-knowledge and mental health. Content integrates theoretical training with practical application, developing skills relevant to contemporary life. Emphasis falls on authentic encounter, self-actualization, and meaning recovery within frameworks of personal community. Participants study disciplinary boundaries, horizons, and collaborative models where theological perspectives inform psychological practice. The course ensures practical utilization of counseling knowledge toward psychological wellness and human flourishing in relational contexts.

This course examines the manuscript transmission of biblical texts through textual criticism and contemporary digital methodologies. Students analyze the Qumran discoveries and New Testament codices, investigating paleographic features, scribal practices, and palimpsests. A religious studies approach illuminates how ecclesiastical communities shaped textual tradition. Through collaborative research projects, participants integrate historical analysis with digital tools, gaining critical insight into the material and theological dimensions of manuscripts. Topics include the Hebrew Bible's manuscript history, early Christian copying techniques, and computational approaches to codicology. Students develop competence in evaluating textual variants and applying digital humanities methods to biblical scholarship. The course prepares participants for advanced research in textual criticism and the digital study of Scripture within academic theological contexts.

This course examines Byzantine iconography as a system for organizing visual perception and cultivating aesthetic consciousness. The theoretical framework addresses principles of freehand drawing, visual perception, structural composition, and technical execution. Historical analysis traces the monumental tradition, exploring the use of pattern books and applications of perspective. Central to the curriculum is the interpretation of foundational symbolic representations (the Nativity, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Dormition of the Theotokos) within cosmological frameworks. Students develop analytical and synthetic thinking through study of compositional organization, proportional relationships, and pictorial expressions of space, time, and light in iconographic art. By semester's end, participants gain comprehensive understanding of this monumental tradition, integrating technical proficiency with interpretive insight into theological and aesthetic dimensions of sacred imagery.

This course examines the fundamental structures and principles of Orthodox Canon Law through Sacred Tradition. Students explore the sources of the Holy Canons, interpretive methods, and general principles governing Church-State relations. The syllabus includes systems of ecclesiastical organization, episcopal authority, personal and marriage law, monastic organization, worship, and the Sacraments. The course analyzes the administration of ecclesiastical property, the exercise of ecclesiastical justice, the institutions of the Pentarchy and Autocephaly, the question of the Diaspora, and ecclesiastical economy. Students investigate the canonical prerequisites for ecumenical dialogue and the application of canonical correction. This foundational study equips students with essential theoretical grounding for advanced research in canonical matters and prepares them to engage critically with the living tradition of Orthodox ecclesiastical jurisprudence.

The course in Dogmatics offers a systematic study of the faith of the Orthodox Church as articulated in Scripture, Holy Tradition, the Ecumenical Councils, and the writings of the Fathers. Through the principal themes (Theology and Triadology, Christology, Anthropology, Iconology, and Eschatology) it explores the inner coherence of doctrine and its role as a living expression of theological experience. Emphasis is placed on cultivating critical engagement with patristic and conciliar texts, understanding their relation to liturgical and pastoral life, and fostering an interpretive discipline that perceives doctrine as the meeting ground of faith, reason, and ecclesial identity within the unfolding mystery of divine revelation.

This course examines the dialectical relationships between biblical tradition and literary creation, emphasizing poetic readings of sacred texts. Students analyze how biblical motifs, symbols, and narrative structures permeate modern Greek and international literature, shaping thematic and formal choices across historical periods and literary movements. Through careful study of works drawing from the Song of Songs, the Book of Revelation, and other biblical texts, the course offers interpretive tools that move beyond theological reading. Participation in theatrical performances enriches understanding of biblical themes' living presence in contemporary artistic expression. Students develop critical capacity for analyzing the complex interplay between religion and literature, exploring how writers from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries have transformed scriptural language and imagery into new literary forms. The course cultivates interpretive sensitivity to intertextual relationships while grounding analysis in close reading practices that honor both literary craft and religious resonance.

This course examines the theoretical foundations and practical dimensions of Orthodox pastoral care through historical development, ecclesiological character, and interdisciplinary connections. Students explore the anthropological bases of shepherding ministry, investigating how pastoral theology engages counseling and other human sciences. The curriculum develops knowledge and skills essential for pastoral ministry within contemporary ecclesial contexts. Through critical analysis of models and methods, participants construct a contemporary pastoral anthropology responsive to the complex therapeutic and caring needs of modern individuals. The course addresses the distinctive character of pastoral work while establishing boundaries, horizons, and frameworks for interdisciplinary collaboration. Students acquire competencies enabling them to practice effective shepherding within church life while forming theological perspectives on human wholeness.

This course examines the multifaceted contributions of the Church of Greece during critical historical periods from 1821 to the present. Students analyze ecclesiastical involvement in the 1821 Revolution, the Macedonian Struggle, the Resistance movement, and the Northern Epirus question, alongside philanthropic initiatives undertaken after 1833. Through critical engagement with primary and secondary sources, participants develop research skills for interpreting the relationship between religion and society in the Greek context. The pedagogical approach encourages synthesis of diverse historiographical perspectives and the formulation of evidence-based interpretations regarding the role of religious community in shaping modern Greek reality. Emphasis falls on building analytical competencies that enable students to trace historical continuities and evaluate the Church's responses to social challenges across two centuries of Greek statehood.

This course examines pilgrimage tourism as a multidimensional phenomenon connecting religious practice, cultural heritage, and social dynamics. Students study the historical trajectory of pilgrimage journeys from antiquity to the present, analyzing how theological understandings, economic factors, and cultural frameworks shape expressions of religious mobility. The curriculum focuses on understanding communion with the divine through movement to sacred spaces, the value of pilgrimage sites as cultural assets, and their role in a globalized pluralistic society. Through theoretical approaches and site visits, participants acquire tools for interpreting this complex reality. The course explores how major religious traditions conceive of pilgrimage while tracing transformations in form and meaning across changing historical circumstances. Students develop critical perspectives on religious tourism's contemporary significance for both faith communities and broader cultural discourse.

This course examines the intersection of Orthodox theological tradition and contemporary communication theories, offering systematic analysis of cultural models shaping religious expression. Students explore the work of theorists including McLuhan, McQuail, and Orwell, investigating relationships between mass media and Orthodox worldviews. Instruction focuses on communication structures and processes within historical perspective, analyzing how cultural shifts influence theological thought and practice. Through critical engagement with primary sources and empirical case studies, the course cultivates interpretive skills for understanding communication phenomena through theological lenses. The curriculum addresses both traditional and postmodern cultural frameworks, encouraging students to consider how Orthodox Christianity articulates its message across diverse media environments. Seminar discussions emphasize methodological approaches drawn from communication studies, cultural history, and theology. Students develop analytical frameworks for assessing media influence on religious communities while contributing to ongoing conversations between tradition and contemporary cultural realities.

This course examines the historical, religious, and social conditions that shaped the world of the New Testament. Students investigate Judaism's development within the broader Mediterranean cultural system, analyzing primary sources and archaeological evidence. The curriculum focuses on Diaspora communities, religious institutions, ascetic movements such as the Essenes, and the historical context of Jesus's life. Through comparative methodology, participants acquire tools for critically reading texts within their cultural environment. The course addresses how Roman imperial structures, Hellenistic philosophy, and Jewish sectarian movements intersected during the first century. Students engage with contemporary scholarly debates about periodization, identity formation, and religious innovation. Collaborative research and presentation of interpretive hypotheses form central elements of the learning process, preparing students for advanced study in biblical history and religious studies. Emphasis falls on developing analytical skills applicable across diverse historical and textual materials.

This course explores the historical, theological, and pedagogical dimensions of religious education in Greece and internationally. Students examine the evolution of curricula, study influences from European thought, and analyze contemporary pedagogical directions. The instruction focuses on cultivating critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills required for the 21st century. Through practical activities and theoretical analysis, participants investigate teaching methodologies for religious studies, religious literacy, and connections with other human sciences. Students learn to design learning experiences that address contemporary educational challenges and foster critical engagement with global issues. The curriculum traces how European Union policies shape Greek religious education while maintaining attention to local contexts. Participants develop competencies in assessing educational practice, applying diverse teaching methods, and integrating performing arts and humanities approaches. The course prepares educators to facilitate transformative learning environments responsive to rapidly changing educational landscapes.

This course examines institutional structures and social practices that shaped the coexistence of religious communities in the Ottoman Empire. Study of the millet system reveals how religious diversity was organized through legal and administrative mechanisms. Students analyze primary sources and historiographical approaches to understand power relations, communal autonomy, and processes of identity negotiation. The course provides critical analytical tools that challenge anachronistic interpretations and nationalist readings of the past. Through comparative methodology, participants assess how cultural syntheses and the cosmopolitan construction of the empire shaped long-term historical phenomena across three continents. Mastery of these epistemological frameworks enables rigorous engagement with complex concepts including the relationship between present and past, time and memory, which constitute prerequisites for critical historical analysis.

This course examines the transformation of the religious landscape during the twentieth century through the study of New Religious Movements. Beginning with definitions and boundaries of the phenomenon, we proceed to categorizations that illuminate the religious diversity of our time. The instruction focuses on factors that lead certain movements toward deviation, whether against society or within the community itself, and explores specific cases including the Branch Davidians, Scientology, Falun Gong, and Aum Shinrikyo. Concurrently, the course analyzes state management of contested religious organizations across different cultural contexts, including the United States, European countries, China, and Japan. Students investigate how governmental responses reflect broader tensions between religious freedom and social order, examining historical episodes that reveal the complexity of regulating religious expression in contemporary democracies and authoritarian systems alike.

This course explores the visual teaching of religious art through a dual approach. The theoretical dimension examines works of biblical themes through art-historical analysis, interpretive engagement, and pedagogical application. Aesthetic education connects critical reception with creative production, transforming artwork into social practice. The empirical dimension takes place in museums and sacred sites, where students experience audiovisual communication as a means of understanding cultural heritage. The museum-pedagogical approach awakens aesthetic imagination and creates channels of communication with the artist. Students acquire skills in visual learning, comprehend cross-cultural dimensions, and develop ethical and social behavior through religious art. Museums emerge as spaces of formative experience and aesthetic enrichment. The course prepares educators for new methods of visual learning, presenting museums as educational environments suitable for dynamic and contemporary teaching forms that engage both instructor and student in meaningful dialogue with historical and cultural realities.

This course explores religious traditions as social phenomena, examining their historical formation through cultural, political, and economic factors. Students study classical and contemporary theoretical approaches that analyze the sources, meaning, and dynamics of religion in modernity. The teaching focuses on religion as an institutional system of beliefs, experiences, and rituals, offering typologies of religious phenomena and social characteristics of major traditions. The course examines phenomena such as secularization and the return of religious elements in the contemporary world, highlighting the integrative power of religion in today's societies. Through engagement with foundational and current scholarship, students develop analytical frameworks for understanding religion's multidimensional relationship with society and its continuing influence in shaping collective life.

This course investigates fundamental questions shaping the encounter between philosophical inquiry and religious experience from medieval times to the present. Students explore how metaphysics, epistemology, and Christian theology converge in critical issues including the relationship between faith and knowledge, the tension between religion and science, and contemporary challenges of secularization. Through the Kantian tradition, twentieth-century analytic philosophy, and phenomenological approaches, the course offers a critical perspective on the question of God. Participants examine how thinkers from Wittgenstein to Derrida and Marion have transformed philosophical theology through linguistic analysis, deconstruction, and theistic phenomenology. Students develop skills to evaluate philosophical arguments and understand the intellectual shifts affecting religious thought in modernity. The curriculum prepares participants for advanced study by engaging with current scholarship while maintaining historical depth across major philosophical movements addressing religious claims.

This course examines interpretive approaches to Scripture, exploring both patristic tradition and contemporary biblical scholarship. The research focuses on the Gospel of John, where philological analysis meets theological interpretation. Students will examine historical sources, composition and intertextual relationships within narratives, recognising how Mediterranean cultural heritage has shaped hermeneutical schools. The seminar develops comparative analysis skills in vocabulary and style between Johannine and Synoptic literature. Using rhetorical, narratological and contemporary interpretive tools, participants will explore how textual understanding continues to shape Christian thought and practice today. The curriculum covers the history of sources, micro- and macro-contexts, and the theological depth of Johannine writings. Scholars engage with traditional exegetical methods as well as modern reception theory, reader-response criticism and the hermeneutics of suspicion. The course emphasises practical application, enabling students to trace cultural borrowings across Mediterranean contexts and apply their insights to current interpretive frameworks.

This course examines Orthodox ecclesiastical literature from the ninth century to the modern period, analyzing the lives, works, and teachings of Church Fathers and ecclesiastical writers. Students explore the theological challenges of each era through primary sources and manuscript traditions. Analysis includes figures such as Symeon the New Theologian, Gregory Palamas, and Kassiane, revealing connections between doctrine and ethical-pastoral practice. The course provides tools for critical engagement with texts and understanding their theological contributions to ecclesial tradition. Methodology encourages dialectical relationships between historical context and theological interpretation. Students acquire knowledge of research instruments, biographical elements, and textual divisions that organize patristic material according to dogmatic, ethical, and social questions. The curriculum establishes foundations for advanced study in patristics, biblical hermeneutics, ecclesiastical history, and related theological disciplines.

This course explores the organic relationship between contemporary psychological science and ecclesiastical pastoral practice. Students examine theoretical frameworks concerning the human psyche and the spiritual needs of modern individuals, seeking ways to deepen dialogue between theology and psychology. The curriculum focuses on developing interpretive tools for understanding human experience through interdisciplinary approaches. Emphasis falls upon practical application of this knowledge during the exercise of spiritual guidance, recognizing the multiformity of human conditions. Students engage with foundational principles of anthropological understanding from both theological-pastoral and psychological perspectives. The course offers future pastors’ critical resources for shaping a pastoral ministry responsive to contemporary realities. Through careful analysis of various psychological theories and their theological implications, participants develop competencies for meaningful engagement with persons across diverse backgrounds, ages, and social circumstances.

This course examines the Council of Nicaea (325 CE) through primary sources that preserve its decisions and theological significance. Analysis focuses on the Arian controversy, the ways imperial politics shaped the convening of the assembly, and the establishment of the Creed as a foundational text of Christian identity. Students study the canonical texts that emerged, their interpretation in subsequent ecclesiastical tradition, and how the Council influenced theological thought in later centuries. Instruction employs historical evidence and multimedia materials to understand an event that continues shaping Christian theology worldwide. The course investigates the twenty canons promulgated at Nicaea and their role in forming canon law, while considering Constantine's involvement and the Council's contribution to church unity and orthodoxy across diverse regions of early Christianity.

This course examines Christian mission as both a theoretical field and a lived experience within a global framework. The analysis focuses on the academic development of the discipline, contemporary theologies and methodological approaches in ecumenical and Orthodox contexts. Students engage with cultural paradigms beyond their own familiar settings through theological texts and official statements that capture the experience of missionaries. The historical dimension reveals the unity of ecclesial tradition across the centuries. Drawing on recent scholarship and declarations, the course fosters critical awareness of issues facing the contemporary world. Students will acquire the tools necessary for theological reflection on ministry, witness and dialogue at the intersection of cultures and traditions. The curriculum explores the theology of mission in relation to urgent social issues, broadening horizons and strengthening the practice of Christian engagement across diverse communities.

This course introduces students to the language of the Hebrew Bible through comparative and historical linguistics. The approach emphasizes understanding the formation of grammatical patterns and textual analysis using digital tools. Participants examine the cross-cultural interaction between Greek and Hebrew, tracing linguistic borrowings and religious influences in contemporary Western society. Guided exercises develop skills in evaluating scholarly sources and electronic databases. Content includes phonology, morphology, the verbal system, and lexicological analysis of theological terms. Students acquire the ability to distinguish stylistic differences between original texts and translations, while familiarizing themselves with Semitic languages and the history of the biblical text. The curriculum addresses the script's evolution, grammatical processing, and computer-assisted research methods. Seminar sessions provide practical experience in lexical exercises focusing on significant theological vocabulary and manuscript traditions.

This course examines the intricate intersection of religion, politics, and society in contemporary Europe, exploring how Muslim communities shape and are shaped by the European framework. Analysis begins with specific legal controversies surrounding the Muslim headscarf and extends to broader questions of integration, religious freedom, and cultural coexistence. Students engage with demographic shifts, immigration policies, and phenomena such as Islamophobia and radicalization. Through critical reading of primary sources and empirical studies, the course investigates possibilities for intercultural dialogue. Participants examine how religious identity operates within secular democratic structures and consider the institutional responses of European Union member states. The curriculum equips students with analytical tools to understand Islam's place in Europe and contribute to constructive discussions about social cohesion, moving beyond polarized debates toward nuanced comprehension of this complex relationship.

This course examines the religious and spiritual development of children through an interdisciplinary lens. The curriculum explores the archetype of the child as shaped by psychological, phenomenological, and religious factors. Analysis focuses on forms of childhood religiosity, considering gender, socioeconomic context, and cultural stereotypes. Particular attention addresses the relationship between lived family experiences and religious conceptions, as well as the evolution of early psychic experiences toward spiritual understanding. The course investigates how initial biosocial needs and their satisfaction connect to later capacities for numinous experience. Material draws from various religious traditions and cultures while incorporating findings from the history of civilizations, philosophy of religion, sociology, folklore, and psychology of religion. Students engage with contemporary research on childhood spirituality as documented in specialized journals and publications of the American Psychological Association, gaining comprehensive understanding of developmental trajectories in religious consciousness.

This course examines the intersection of theology and contemporary communication theory through the lens of Orthodox tradition. Students explore how the society of spectacle and mechanisms of mass communication shape religious experience in the postmodern world. Drawing from the works of Lasswell, Postman, and Debord, the analysis focuses on the alienation produced by mass media and the possibilities for spiritual response. Simulacra theory and advertising simulation serve as central interpretive tools for understanding religious communication today. Participants develop critical capacity to recognize communicative structures and learn to approach communication as communion within digital culture, connecting traditional theological principles with contemporary media analysis methodology. The course introduces students to the global dimensions of communication while addressing its transformation into diverse structures and manifestations. Through sustained engagement with fundamental concepts, students gain comprehensive perspective on media processes and their theological implications for Orthodox Christianity in an age characterized by pervasive digital mediation and spectacle.

This course investigates theological currents and interpretive traditions within non-canonical Jewish and Christian writings through critical engagement with primary sources. Students analyze Jewish apocryphal texts, Gnostic gospels, Judeo-Christian acts, epistles, and apocalyptic works, applying contemporary methods of biblical and historical scholarship. Instruction focuses on understanding how these texts functioned within early Christian communities and on distinguishing their literary genres. Through collaborative research, participants explore the historical, social, and cultural contexts that shaped specific apocryphal works, developing interpretive skills for approaching religious questions in the ancient Mediterranean world. The curriculum traces connections between Jewish and Christian apocryphal traditions, examining how marginal texts illuminate central concerns of faith communities. Emphasis falls on rigorous textual analysis and the practice of reading ancient sources within their original settings.

This course explores Judaism as religious tradition, historical phenomenon, and cultural force. Students examine foundational theological principles including monotheism, Covenant, and Torah, alongside major expressions of Judaism from the Second Temple period through contemporary times. Analysis encompasses Sephardic, Ashkenazic, and Romaniote traditions, modern Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform movements, festivals and rituals, Jewish philosophy and literature. Special attention addresses Jewish communities in Greece and the formation of their identity across centuries. Through sustained engagement with primary and secondary sources, students develop critical understanding of Jewish religious structures and assess the contributions of Jewish civilization to human heritage. The course emphasizes analytical skills for interpreting theological concepts, historical developments, and cultural expressions within their broader contexts, preparing students to recognize continuity and transformation in Jewish experience.

This course investigates how patristic thought shaped understandings of human nature and destiny within the Christian tradition. Analysis begins with interpretive frameworks established by the early Fathers and extends to contemporary theological discussions that reveal continuities and shifts in anthropological inquiry. Students examine texts that demonstrate how ecclesiastical literature addresses questions of identity, freedom, and relationship with the divine. Research focus centers on the interaction between historical theological patterns and present existential challenges, providing tools for critical reading of primary sources and interdisciplinary engagement with Christian thought on the human person. The curriculum traces theological development from foundational patristic insights through modern ecclesial writers, exploring how each generation reformulates anthropological questions in response to its intellectual and spiritual context.

This course addresses fundamental shifts in philosophical thought from the Enlightenment forward through systematic analysis of movements that have shaped contemporary intellectual discourse. Students examine Logical Positivism, twentieth-century linguistic philosophy, Phenomenology, and Postmodernism in terms of their epistemological and interpretive consequences. Special attention focuses on Ludwig Wittgenstein's linguistic philosophy and Jacques Derrida's deconstructive strategy, two pivotal moments that redefined our understanding of language, meaning, and interpretation. The course invites students to investigate how these movements engage theological and religious questions pertinent to our time. Through close reading and critical discussion, participants trace the genealogy of ideas that continue to inform scholarly inquiry across disciplines, particularly in contexts where philosophical rigor intersects with religious thought.

This course examines the intersection of neuroscience with Orthodox ethical traditions within contemporary clinical practice. Students explore neuroethics in its dual capacity: as an inquiry into the moral implications of neuroscientific research and as an investigation of the neural foundations of moral judgment. The analysis addresses diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas arising from brain interventions, including potential consequences for personal psycho-spiritual identity. Orthodox anthropology provides an interpretive framework for assessing opportunities and risks accompanying neurotechnological developments in therapeutic practice. Students engage with questions concerning the modification of cognitive and affective capacities, considering how such interventions might influence social relations and individual flourishing. The course cultivates critical thinking about establishing professional standards that honor human dignity while embracing scientific progress in medicine.

This course traces the development of Christian art from the early Christian through the middle Byzantine periods, examining how material culture intersected with theological and liturgical transformations in the Church. Through case study analysis, students explore how architectural monuments, sculptural decoration, painting, and inscriptions reveal communities' self-understanding expressed through artistic forms. The curriculum addresses typological and morphological characteristics of ecclesiastical buildings, investigates the evolution of iconographic programs, and considers how doctrinal questions shaped artistic expression. Students acquire skills in critical source interpretation and engage with scholarly literature in the field. The course demonstrates how funerary monuments, church architecture, and visual programs document the continuities and transformations that defined Christian identity across these formative centuries. Emphasis falls on reading archaeological evidence within its historical and theological contexts.

This course examines the intersection of religious ideas and literary expression in the Modern Greek tradition, spanning from Digenis Akritas to contemporary writers. Students explore major movements, representative works, and interpretive approaches that reveal the theological dimensions of texts. The methodology combines historical contextualization with close reading, enabling students to develop critical acuity toward texts that investigate faith, cultural tensions, and existential questions. Coursework emphasizes engagement with primary sources, annotation practices, and bibliographic documentation, preparing students for independent research. Through discussion and presentations, participants consider how authors address theological concerns and what their choices reveal about Greek religious consciousness. Students gain familiarity with key terminology, significant figures, and scholarly methods for analyzing literature with theological interest. The course cultivates interpretive skills through sustained attention to how narrative, poetry, and drama articulate religious experience within specific historical moments and literary contexts.

This course explores the conciliar institution as a fundamental expression of Orthodox Christian ecclesiology. Beginning with the Apostolic Council of Jerusalem and extending through the Ecumenical Councils, the analysis reveals how conciliar practice shaped dogmatic teaching and canonical order. Students examine primary conciliar acts, investigate the relationship between conciliarity and ecclesiastical governance, and assess the contemporary application of conciliar tradition through the Holy and Great Council of Crete. The pedagogical approach combines historical documentation with theological interpretation, equipping participants with tools for understanding both the continuity and adaptability of conciliar polity in addressing modern ecclesial challenges. Through careful study of synodal texts and audiovisual materials, learners gain comprehensive knowledge of how the Orthodox Church maintains its ancient conciliar heritage while responding to present circumstances.

This course examines foundational principles and historical development of Eastern religious traditions. The first section analyzes ancient Buddhism through interpretation of sources, cosmology, karma doctrine, cycles of rebirth, and the four noble truths. Study of Mahayana Buddhism includes cosmology, Buddhas, and Bodhisattvas. The second section approaches Confucianism, Taoism, Chinese and Japanese Buddhism, Shinto, and popular religious practices in China and Japan. Students engage in primary texts to understand how philosophical concepts shape ritual practice and community life. The course cultivates critical reading skills and contextual understanding of religious phenomena within their cultural settings. Attention to textual traditions alongside lived religion reveals the dynamic relationship between doctrine and practice across diverse Asian contexts.

This course examines the historical trajectory of the Orthodox Church in Greece from the Revolution of 1821 to the present day. Students investigate the foundation, organization, and development of ecclesiastical institutions, focusing on the Church of Greece and the distinctive cases of Mount Athos, Crete, and the Dodecanese. Through critical analysis of Greek and foreign-language sources, research illuminates Church-State relations, theological debates, and social transformations. The methodological approach cultivates the ability to synthesize materials from diverse documentary traditions, while students develop interpretive tools for understanding ecclesiastical historicity in the contemporary context. Participants engage with primary and secondary literature to trace how religious communities shaped and responded to political upheavals, modernization, and cultural change across two centuries of Greek institutional life.

This course examines the psychiatric and psychological dimensions of religious experience through scientific methods. Analysis focuses on neurobiological, cognitive, and social functions that shape religious meaning, including beliefs, emotions, behaviors, and identities. Students explore how language, symbols, and conscious acts connect with the spiritual dimension of human existence. The course advances critical understanding of biopsychological mechanisms activated in relation to the Transcendent while cultivating personal awareness of religious functioning. Through this approach, the distinction between healthy religiosity and neurotic manifestations emerges, contributing to holistic comprehension of human spirituality. The curriculum integrates contemporary psychological theories with theological inquiry, examining how desire, affect, and cognition operate within sacred contexts. Students gain interpretive tools for assessing religious experience across personal and collective domains, developing sophistication in recognizing constructive versus destructive patterns in spiritual life.

This course explores the theological thought of the Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Fathers through close reading of their texts. Students gain proficiency in methods of linguistic and theological interpretation, studying manuscript traditions and critical editions of patristic works. The material investigates how the Church Fathers shaped doctrine and moral-pastoral teaching in response to the challenges of their times. Students develop skills in translating and commenting on patristic texts, understanding the connections between Patristic Theology and related fields including Patrology, Biblical hermeneutics, and Church History. The course examines how theological controversies and social questions informed the development of ecclesiastical literature across different periods. Students acquire foundational knowledge for advanced work in Hymnology, Homiletics, Dogmatics, and Christian Ethics, learning to recognize the enduring influence of patristic thought on Orthodox tradition and contemporary theological discourse.

This course examines the relationship between contemporary mass communication and Orthodox theological thought. Students explore communication theories and technological developments shaping postmodern society, focusing on how media influences human psychology and spiritual life. Through an interreligious approach, the course analyzes existential dilemmas of the technocratic age and proposes interpretive frameworks from Orthodox tradition. Emphasis is placed on critical evaluation of media messages and protection of human dignity. Participants develop skills in theological reading of communicative phenomena, connecting traditional wisdom with contemporary challenges of digital culture. The curriculum addresses the complexity of mass media and their impact on spiritual formation, offering Orthodox perspectives on universal humanistic values. Students engage with questions about media power, authenticity, and the preservation of contemplative depth in an age of information saturation.

This course offers a two-month practicum where students develop applied competencies within ecclesiastical and social contexts. Participants engage with liturgical communities, exploring how theological reflection addresses contemporary social concerns including poverty and marginalization. The practicum includes teaching experience in educational settings, examining the transmission of religious concepts across different age groups. Students investigate major theological and pedagogical dimensions of Christian formation within the Greek context, connecting coursework with lived practice. Assignments involve contributing to the preparation of community events and collaborating with charitable organizations, drawing upon prior academic preparation. The course fosters reflective engagement with pastoral ministry and educational praxis through direct participation. Students gain substantive experience working within church structures and philanthropic institutions, developing skills in adapting theological insights to varied audiences and circumstances while cultivating thoughtful approaches to contemporary religious education.

The course examines the relationship between psychosomatic wholeness and value systems in contemporary society. Students explore how religious, philosophical, and cultural traditions shape understandings of health, pain, and healing. Through critical reading and comparative analysis, the course highlights the interaction between anthropological models and modern approaches to medical care. Emphasis is placed on human dignity, the ethical dimensions of therapeutic practice, and the role of faith communities in supporting mental well-being. Participants are encouraged to develop research skills by combining theoretical frameworks with empirical data from different cultural settings.

This course explores the Orthodox synodal tradition through examination of the Holy and Great Council (Crete, 2016), convened by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Students investigate the preparatory stages, official documents, and theological significance of this contemporary Council in dialogue with the seven Ecumenical Councils and subsequent local assemblies. Analysis centers on the ecclesiological concept of synodality, the canonical criteria distinguishing Ecumenical from local Councils, and the question of how synodal process shapes Orthodox identity today. The course offers tools for understanding how the Church addresses contemporary challenges while maintaining continuity with apostolic and patristic tradition. Students engage with primary sources and theological scholarship to assess the Council's contribution to Orthodox witness and unity in the modern world, gaining insight into the enduring relevance of conciliar governance for ecclesial life.

This course examines the interdisciplinary encounter between Theology and Psychoanalysis through methodological and epistemological inquiry. Students explore how these two traditions approach human experience, investigating their theoretical principles and interpretive frameworks. The content includes critical analysis of the limits and possibilities of dialogue between the two disciplines, as well as their relationship with broader anthropological approaches. Particular emphasis falls on applying theoretical findings to the pastoral and counseling work of the Church. Participants develop research capacities for understanding the psychosomatic dimension of the human person while becoming familiar with practical approaches that connect theological thought and psychoanalytic theory within contemporary pastoral practice. The course prepares students to integrate insights from both fields, enabling them to engage the spiritual and psychological needs of individuals in ecclesial contexts with greater depth and discernment.

This course explores the development of epistemological thought after Kant, focusing on pivotal theoretical interventions that shaped modern philosophy. Analysis begins with Bertrand Russell's post-Hegelian turn and proceeds to systematic investigations of Foundationalism. Willard Van Orman Quine's Coherentism offers an alternative perspective on the relationship between experience and theory, while the question of linguistic non-representationalism reveals multiple dimensions of meaning. Popperian falsifiability reexamines criteria for scientific knowledge, and Edmund Husserl's Phenomenology returns to immediate consciousness experience. Students engage these traditions through critical reading of primary texts and comparative theoretical analysis. The seminar traces how each approach addresses fundamental questions about justification, truth, and the possibility of knowledge itself, preparing students to recognize continuities and tensions across twentieth-century epistemology.

This course provides students with practicum opportunities in actual school environments, where they observe model lessons, analyze pedagogical practices, and design instructional scenarios for Religious Education classes. The experiential component complements academic preparation through systematic planning, implementation, and assessment of teaching methods. Participants collaborate with experienced educators, examine theoretical issues through classroom observation, and present their work as microteaching demonstrations. The program strengthens critical thinking about pedagogical practice, cultivates research-oriented approaches to religious pedagogy, and prepares future teachers for professional careers with tools emerging from sustained interaction between theory and fieldwork. Students complete observation protocols, develop original lesson plans, and engage in reflective discussions that deepen understanding of instructional challenges. This integration of university coursework with classroom experience establishes foundations for thoughtful, informed teaching.

This course explores the intricate relationships between religious traditions and economic systems, tracing developments from primitive societies through contemporary capitalism. Analysis focuses on how religious doctrines and cultural values shape economic practices and institutions. Central inquiries include the Protestant concept of vocation (Beruf), the role of religious communities in social economy, and the impact of economic crises on faith-based communities. Students examine classical sociological theory alongside contemporary critical social theology, investigating questions of labor, unemployment, and economic justice. Primary sources anchor discussions of how theological perspectives inform economic thought across historical periods. The seminar combines rigorous textual analysis with dialectical engagement, encouraging students to consider both theoretical frameworks and practical applications. Topics range from utopian socialist theories to modern questions of economic distribution, examining how religious institutions have historically addressed economic inequality and continue shaping responses to contemporary financial challenges.