Academic year 2025/2026
Overview
This program provides the environment, structure and guidance necessary for the intellectual and personal formation of deacons who wish to serve the Orthodox Tewahedo Church. This two-years, course is taught in Tigrigna or Amharic and does not require proficiency in Swedish or English.
The program includes Ge’ez and Ziema training for sacramental and liturgical services, and nine mandatory modules to be delivered over the course of two years.
| Autumn | Spring | |
| Year 1 | Dogmatic Theology Biblical Studies Ge’ez Level One – Level Three Ziema Level One | Ecclesiology Liturgics Ge’ez Level One – Level Three Ziema Level One |
| Year 2: | Patrology Church History I Ge’ez Level One – Level Three Ziema Level One | Church History II Canon Law and Church Administration Homiletics Ge’ez Level One – Level Three Ziema Level One |
Learning Approach
At Sankt Ignatios Folkhögskola, the overarching principle that guides learning is that all knowledge is intersubjective.
Knowledge is dialogue, which requires humility and empathy.
This program is built on collaborative and dialogical learning where participants actively shape not only their common learning journey but also the courses themself. The content, materials, and methods will be adapted in real time based on participants’ needs, interests, and input. Beyond mastering subject matter, a central goal is for each participant to become aware of how shared learning experiences and dialogue transforms their thinking, practice and identity. Through dialogue, narrative, group discussions, shared reflection, creative expression, and collective exploration, participants develop awareness of their own growth while supporting others’ development. The learning community becomes a space where everyone’s experiences and questions not only enrich understanding but actively guide the direction of the course, helping each person to integrate learning into their own life context in meaningful, personally transformative ways.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, the participants are (individually and collectively) expected to be able to:
- apply liturgical knowledge in practical service situations, drawing on both traditional teachings and collaborative learning experiences;
- connect the theology in diaconal hymns with their personal spiritual journey and the community’s worship experience;
- use basic Ge’ez language skills, working with other participants to improve pronunciation and understanding; and
- document their growth as diaconal servants, describing how group learning and practice has transformed their understanding of service and how this role connects with their personal spiritual identity.
Other requirements
Attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to participate in all course activities, both by being present and playing an active role in scheduled sessions and by completing assignments outside of scheduled lessons. If participants miss lessons, they may be required to complete extra assignments to fulfill the learning outcome requirements of the course. For the course to be considered complete, 80% attendance and participation are required.
The Deans Council revised the syllabus on February 26 and March 18 2025.
