St Andrew's Greek Orthodox Theological College

St Andrew's Greek Orthodox Theological College

St Andrew's Greek Orthodox Theological College
Type Seminary, Eastern Orthodox
Established 1986
Affiliation
President Stylianos Harkianakis
Location Redfern, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
33°53′20″S 151°12′09″E / 33.8890°S 151.2025°E / -33.8890; 151.2025Coordinates: 33°53′20″S 151°12′09″E / 33.8890°S 151.2025°E / -33.8890; 151.2025
Website sagotc.edu.au

St Andrew's Greek Orthodox Theological College is an Eastern Orthodox Christian seminary located in Redfern, a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is a full-member institution of the Sydney College of Divinity, a federation of theological educational institutions each operated by different Christian denominations. It is the only accredited Orthodox tertiary institution of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

St Andrew's is an institution of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia. The current dean is Archbishop Stylianos Harkianakis.

Archbishop Stylianos proposed the establishment of a theological college during the fourth clergy-laity congress in 1981. The delegates adopted his resolution for this urgent proposal and building, administrative and academic committees were formed. There was need for a theological school that would be primarily dedicated to theological study in co-operation with other theological colleges. It was hoped that a centre of theological reflection and ecumenical dialogue would be created, offering the Orthodox world-view and perspective with great scriptural commentaries, the writings of the Greek Fathers, the Orthodox liturgy, iconography and spirituality. The college opened in 1986 with Archbishop Stylianos as the inaugural dean. He continues in that role at present, as well as being a lecturer in systematic theology.

Priestly vocations

The four-year program of study (encompassing the three-year Bachelor of Theology degree as well as a fourth year of Honours or studies in Pastoral Theology and Practice) is the principal means of training bilingual clergy for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. As such, admission is limited to those who aspire to the clergy or male students who are seeking to actively serve within the Archdiocese.

Degree programs

St Andrew's currently offers the following accredited programs: Bachelor of Theology (with an honours program available), Master of Arts, Master of Theology, and a Basic Unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in Aged Care. Honours programs for the Master of Arts, Master of Theology, and doctoral programs can be undertaken through the Sydney College of Divinity.

History prior to opening

With enough academically qualified and already-lecturing Orthodox, Sir Arthur George signed an agreement at the 5th Clergy-Laity conference (Brisbane) to provide the funds for the first stage of development. The donation of $250,000 was used to renovate and modify buildings at the Archdiocese by creating lecture rooms, dormitories for interstate students, an office, a library, and a common room.

History since opening

May: St Andrew's Orthodox Press employs Publishing Director.

Influence

As the sole Orthodox theological college of its kind in the southern hemisphere, St. Andrew's has taught not only the clergy of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, but also a notable number from other jurisdictions in Australia, particularly from the Serbian Orthodox Church in Australia and New Zealand.

Phronema

Phronema is the academic journal of the College. It has been published annually since the inception of the College. Phronema presents articles and book reviews from Orthodox and non-Orthodox academics on a wide variety of theologically-related topics.

Faculty

Current

Former

References

    Other sources

    External links


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