Academic year 2025/2026
Overview
This program provides the environment, structure and guidance necessary for the intellectual and personal formation of servant priests who wish to serve the Orthodox Tewahedo Church in parish ministry. This two-year course is taught in Tigrigna or Amharic and does not require proficiency in Swedish or English.
The Program includes education in Ziema (liturgy and hymns), which will enable candidates to lead sacramental and liturgical services. In addition to this, candidates are expected to complete four theological training modules over the course of two years.
| Autumn | Spring | |
| Year 1 | Dogmatic Theology Ziema Level Two | Liturgics Ziema Level Two |
| Year 2: | Canon Law and Church Administration / Ecclesiology Ziema Level Two |
Homiletics Ziema Level Two |
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 themselves. 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:
- lead sacramental services with understanding of both traditional procedures and their community’s spiritual needs;
- apply church administrative procedures to parish leadership, balancing canonical requirements with community realities;
- build ministerial skills through collaborative practice and mentorship that draws on diverse experiences; and
- reflect on their development as parish leaders, sharing how group learning has helped them integrate liturgical, theological, and administrative knowledge with their personal calling to serve the community.
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.
This online option is for those interested in the priest program but unable to participate on campus.
The Deans Council revised the program text on February 26 and March 18 2025.
