Education

History of theological education is inseparable from the history of the Church, constituting its essential part. Inasmuch as the Church exists in history as the Holy Tradition unfolding in time, theological education is a form of passing on ecclesiastical knowledge and teaching from the past to the future by means of edifying members of the Church by the word of God and the life in Christ. It is important to hand down the gifts of the Holy Spirit, vital for celebrating the liturgy and building up the Church of Christ, as well as the Holy Tradition which to a large extent implies the passing on of knowledge.

The Saviour said to his disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19-20), thus making edification their primary task. The Apostles kept His commandment, having spread the faith throughout the world. The Holy Scripture teaches that Christ is “the true light that enlightens every man (…) coming into the world” (Jn 1:9). Based on these words, the Church has always seen its mission of introducing people to the truths of the Gospel as that of education.

Learning about God the Trinity and the salvific mission of Jesus Christ, as well as studying doctrinal and morality-related disciplines, and Church history along with other subjects – all this helps a believer to grow in the knowledge and understanding of God and to strive to become like Christ.

The Divine grace is at work, helping the faithful in their spiritual growth, by means of which they are called to fulfil what was designed by the Creator “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:4).

To fully participate in the life of the Church, a person needs knowledge of the Orthodox Apostolic faith and tradition, of the Liturgy and ascetic heritage. Otherwise it will be impossible to fully engage in ecclesiastical life.

Theological schools of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) offer full-time and part-time theological and vocational education. The ROC dioceses also develop educational initiatives.

The Diocese of the Philippines and Vietnam and the Diocese of Thailand have educational centres that run courses on the Orthodox faith, church singing and other disciplines enabling students to fully participate in the divine services and continue education at theological schools of the Russian Orthodox Church. There are plans to open such educational centres in all dioceses of the Patriarchal Exarchate of South-East Asia.

Every parish of the Exarchate carries out educational activities, organizing Sunday schools and regular pastoral meetings with parishioners, catechumens and those showing an interest in Orthodoxy.

The Kingdom of God is at hand for every person. It just requires an effort to attain it (cf. Mt 11:12). Learn about your faith and teach others and you will “be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:19)!

According to an agreement between the Patriarchal Exarchate of South-East Asia and the St. Petersburg Theological Academy of the Russian Orthodox Church, applicants from the countries under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchal Exarchate of South-East Asia are entitled to receive education at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy.

The Academy offers the following education programmes:

• Faculty of Theology and Pastoral Studies:

– Bachelor’s degree

– Master’s degree

– Postgraduate studies

• Faculty of Ecclesiastical Arts

– Director of Church Choir: higher education level

– Icon Painting Department: secondary vocational education

International students are provided with free of charge dormitory accommodation and meals for the duration of their studies.

B2 level of Russian language proficiency is a prerequisite for applying to the Academy. For those whose knowledge of Russian is insufficient the Academy offers Russian language courses.

Russian language courses

Applicants who need to increase their proficiency in the Russian language, in order to study at the Academy, are first enrolled in the Russian as a Foreign Language programme.

After completing the course, students who pass a Russian B2 level test may apply to the Faculty of Theology, Pastoral Studies and the Faculty of Ecclesiastical Arts. Those who fail to attain B2 level have to take the Russian language course again.

The Russian language course runs from September 1^st to the end of June and is divided into two semesters. Classes take place four times (16 hours) a week. Students taking the course have ample opportunities to go on pilgrimages and excursions to local churches, monasteries and museums.

Faculty of Ecclesiastical Arts

Choirmaster studies

The Faculty of Ecclesiastical Arts of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy provides bachelor’s degree programmes in Art of Church Conducting and Director of Church Choir.

Admission is available to applicants of who are of the Orthodox faith, both male and female, aged under 30 with previous music education, or aged 18 to 25 without previous music education. A background in singing in a church choir for at least a year is welcomed.

At the Academy, students receive vocational music education, as well as choir conducting and pedagogical practice. They study various theological disciplines, deepening their understanding of the role of traditional religious values in the life of society and individuals, and gain insight into religious culture and philosophy. They learn more about state-religion, inter-confessional and social relations and look into some practical aspects of the life of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Mode of study: full-time. Duration: 4 years.

Icon Painting Department

 The Icon Painting Department offers secondary vocational education in Icon Painting in full-time mode. Admission is available to applicants of Orthodox faith aged under 35. Previous art education is welcomed.

Those that finish this department, graduate as icon painters. Over the course of the studies, students master the art of icon painting, acquire knowledge in various disciplines, such as theology and aesthetics of art, and receive practical training and internship opportunities.

Mode of study: full-time. Duration: 4 years.

Faculty of Theology and Pastoral Studies

Bachelor’s degree

The Faculty of Theology and Pastoral Studies provide a Bachelor’s degree programme in Orthodox Practical Theology, graduating future ministers of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Admission is available to male applicants of the Orthodox faith aged under 35 who have finished high school or received secondary vocational or higher education. They must be unmarried or married for the first time.

The education students receive will guide them in their future pastoral, research, educational or pedagogic work, as well as in their social ministry. They will develop organisational and management skills and will be able to act as experts, counsellours, mediators and competent representatives of their Church.

Mastering the programme will help graduates with social and professional adjustments, with acquiring competence in state-religion, inter-confessional and social relations and inter-cultural cooperation, and with practising their faith on a daily basis. They will be able to cope with various organisational, managerial and research tasks. The Academy offers plenty of opportunities for personal and professional growth by enabling future pastors to gain a deep insight into the traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Mode of study: full-time. Duration: 4 years.

 Master’s degree

The Faculty of Theology and Pastoral Studies provide a Master’s degree programme in Orthodox Bible Studies, Orthodox Dogmatic Theology and Patrology, History of the Christian Church, and Orthodox Practical Theology.

Master’s degree programme is available to male applicants who have graduated from a theological school with a Bachelor’s degree.

Duration: 2 years.

Postgraduate studies

 The postgraduate studies course is designed for those applicants of Orthodox faith who have a diploma of higher education (Specialist’s or Master’s degree) and graduated from a theological school with no less than a Bachelor’s degree, as well as those foreign applicants whose countries’ academic qualifications are recognised by the Russian Federation.

Applicants who have no state-issued diploma of higher education, but have graduated from a theological school of the Russian Orthodox Church with no less than Specialist’s or Master’s degree, may enrol in the Theology programme and afterwards submit their Candidate of Theology thesis to the Dissertation Council of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy.

Full-time postgraduate studies are sponsored by the Russian Orthodox Church.

Duration: 3 years.

Those postgraduate students whose end-of-course assessment results are satisfactory receive a certificate verifying that their Candidate of Theology dissertation meets the required criteria, and a postgraduate diploma.

Application procedure

 Applicants seeking admission to the St. Petersburg Theological Academy need to send the following documents to education@exarchate.sg:

• letter of recommendation from a priest;
• colour photo;
• detailed autobiography.