Course Catalogue 2026-2027

This course provides an introduction to the skills and craft of preaching by exploring basic approaches to preaching and sermon preparation, attentive listening to a variety of preachers and practical assignments. This practical approach will be framed by a theological understanding which will take into account the elements that the preacher must be aware of in preaching including: appropriate handling of the biblical text, the life and ministry of the local church, the values and suppositions of the prevailing culture, and finally the preacher's own world view.

This course provides an introduction to the skills and craft of preaching by exploring basic approaches to preaching and sermon preparation, attentive listening to a variety of preachers and practical assignments. This practical approach will be framed by a theological understanding which will take into account the elements that the preacher must be aware of in preaching including: appropriate handling of the biblical text, the life and ministry of the local church, the values and suppositions of the prevailing culture, and finally the preacher's own world view.

This course explores Christian hope in its personal, corporate, and cosmic dimensions through listening to the witness of the Scriptures and the early church, and through critical engagement with contemporary conversations about eschatology and hope. The course begins with an exploration of the biblical roots of Christian hope in the eschatology of the Old Testament and the rise of apocalyptic thought, and through an overview of the eschatology of Jesus and of the early church. This will provide a basis for further exploration of topics such as death and life after death, the resurrection of the body, the question of time and eternity, Millennialism and interpreting the book of Revelation, the parousia and last judgment, heaven, hell, universal salvation, purgatory, the future of the earth, and the contemporary in-breaking of hope in the church and in the world.

This course presents both effective preaching and liturgical celebration as key aspects of the proclamation of the good news of the Kingdom of God. An intensive course introduction will ground students in the theology of sacramental preaching and help them to develop dynamic oral communication skills. The weekly year-long course will provide the opportunity for students to hone their sermon preparation and preaching skills in a supportive environment, as well as offering a practice-oriented seminar in which all the elements required for the proper and kerygmatic celebration of Orthodox divine services will be discussed and put into pastoral practice.

This course presents both effective preaching and liturgical celebration as key aspects of the proclamation of the good news of the Kingdom of God. An intensive course introduction will ground students in the theology of sacramental preaching and help them to develop dynamic oral communication skills. The weekly year-long course will provide the opportunity for students to hone their sermon preparation and preaching skills in a supportive environment, as well as offering a practice-oriented seminar in which all the elements required for the proper and kerygmatic celebration of Orthodox divine services will be discussed and put into pastoral practice.

This course presents both effective preaching and liturgical celebration as key aspects of the proclamation of the good news of the Kingdom of God. An intensive course introduction will ground students in the theology of sacramental preaching and help them to develop dynamic oral communication skills. The weekly year-long course will provide the opportunity for students to hone their sermon preparation and preaching skills in a supportive environment, as well as offering a practice-oriented seminar in which all the elements required for the proper and kerygmatic celebration of Orthodox divine services will be discussed and put into pastoral practice.

Spirituality can both define a faith community and expand past its formal boundaries, prompting us to question what it means to be people of faith. Within this broader context, Orthodox Christian spirituality offers a distinctive theological and contemplative path shaped by centuries of ascetical practice, apophatic theology—the way of "unknowing" that questions our presumptions about God—and mystical experience. This course traces the historical development of Orthodox spiritual practice, from the desert ascetics through the Byzantine fathers to contemporary Orthodox life. Students will examine how apophatic and mystical theology has shaped Orthodox contemplative practices including prayer, fasting, and hesychasm. Central figures include Pseudo-Dionysius, Maximus the Confessor, and Gregory Palamas, whose writings establish the theological foundations for Orthodox spirituality. Through careful study of patristic texts and contemporary Orthodox practice, students will explore how this ancient tradition understands the ascetic and contemplative life not as solely monastic but as a common Christian calling. The course emphasizes the distinctively Orthodox understanding of deification (theosis), divine energies, and the integration of body and soul in spiritual practice.

The mystery of the Church as seen in the light of Vatican II. Her foundation in Christ in Scripture and history that gives rise to her structure, mission, and four Marks. Mary as the Mother of the Church and eschatological icon.

The Medieval period witnessed some of the most intense and fruitful theological and doctrinal discussions in Eastern Orthodox Church history, from the Monothelite controversy to Iconoclasm to the birth of Hesychastic theology and practice. This course will explore the writings of the most influential minds of the Eastern Church during the period, namely Maximus the Confessor, John the Damascene, Photius of Constantinople, Symeon the New Theologian, and Gregory Palamas. Heavy emphasis will be placed on primary sources (read in translation). Key topics will include developments in Christology, Trinitarian theology, the theology of icons, theological anthropology, Hesychasm and the theology of deification as discussed by these authors.

The Medieval period witnessed some of the most intense and fruitful theological and doctrinal discussions in Eastern Orthodox Church history, from the Monothelite controversy to Iconoclasm to the birth of Hesychastic theology and practice. This course will explore the writings of the most influential minds of the Eastern Church during the period, namely Maximus the Confessor, John the Damascene, Photius of Constantinople, Symeon the New Theologian, and Gregory Palamas. Heavy emphasis will be placed on primary sources (read in translation). Key topics will include developments in Christology, Trinitarian theology, the theology of icons, theological anthropology, Hesychasm and the theology of deification as discussed by these authors.

This course will introduce students to the official liturgical rites of the Anglican Church of Canada and of other Anglican and Episcopalian jurisdictions. The course will focus on a careful study of the liturgical texts themselves, supported by introductory readings and digital materials on the historical and theological background of each rite and on the principles and practicalities of how each rite can and should be conducted in various pastoral settings. Students who successfully complete this course will be well prepared to enrol in further courses on liturgical and sacramental theology, priestly spiritual formation, and liturgical history.

This course is an overview of the modern era of ecclesiastical history. Beginning with the Enlightenment, we will examine the relationship between the Catholic Church and the world until Vatican II. In the way we will look at the age of revolution, what new ideas like liberalism meant and how popes of the nineteenth century sought to deal with them. The worldwide missionary experience of the Catholic Church at the time, as well as the rich history of Canadian Catholicism will be discussed. Pius IX, Vatican I and the pontificate of Leo XIII will be a key part of the course, as well an examination of the issues that the Church had to confront in the twentieth century, such as world wars and the holocaust. Light will be shed on these topics trough assigned readings, biographical studies and the study of examples of art and architecture from the period.