Parish Service Program (half-time)

Academic year 2025/2026

Overview  
This half-time program prepares participants for practical service in parishes of Slavic, Greek or Caucasian Orthodox traditions. The Byzantine seminary offers a variety of program modules which can be chosen according to the participants’ interests and needs, studying two modules in parallel. The full list of available modules is listed below.

• • Biblical and Liturgical Greek (Koine)

• • Byzantine Orthodox Church Music 

• • Practical Liturgics

• • Church Service Practice

• • Pastoral Care and Mission

• • Bible Talks (English)

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:

• • show deep understanding of Orthodox traditions and theology that matter for parish life, drawing on insights shared during group learning and contact with local parishes;

• • use well-developed liturgical skills in parish settings, incorporating feedback from instructors and fellow participants;

• • manage complex parish activities with professional integrity, taking responsibility for decision-making while respecting Orthodox traditions;

• • reflect on their development as parish servants, describing how collaborative learning has transformed their understanding of ministry and helped them integrate theological knowledge with practical service.
    
    

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.