Orthodox Christian Theology and Religious Pluralism

ORTH50: The Historical Course of the Orthodox Church and Theology in the Wider Religious and Cultural Environment (Late Antiquity−18th century)

Code: ORTH50

ECTS: 20

Type: Compulsory

Year: 1st

Language of Instruction: Greek

General description of the Module:

The purpose of the ORTH50 is to present the ways in which the Christian Church was constituted and its historical course in the wider religious environment from late antiquity to the eighteenth century. In particular, it systematically presents: (a) the birth of Christianity, the early Christian communities, and the historical path of the Church in the geographical regions of the East and of the West; (b) the historical and theological development, and the function of its Synodal institution; (c) the modes of its theological dialogue with Judaism and the GrecoRoman world, and, d) the methods of formation of the Church’s doctrine and ethics and its contribution to the transformation of the world.

Learning Outcomes

Based on the introductory character of the thematic unit in the MSc “Orthodox Christian Theology and Religious Pluralism” and upon completion of the study of the content of this unit, it is expected that:

At the knowledge level, students will be able to:

To know the fundamental methodological tools of theological-religious
To define more fully the introductory framework of the systematic research study of Orthodox Christian theology and the historically parallel religious expressions.
To organise the subsequent study of the content of the subsequent thematic modules of the postgraduate programme.
To understand the historical, political, social and spiritual parameters of the encounter of Christianity with Judaism, Hellenism and the various philosophical
To be familiar with Christian Literature and the contribution of the Scriptures of the Fathers of the Church and the Ecclesiastical writers to the development and formulation of theology and the life of Christian communities.

In terms of skills and handling, students will practice the following:

The critical research approach to the various aspects of the historical course of the Orthodox Church and Theology.
The hermeneutical explanation of the methods of creating and transmitting the message of the Gospel in the ecumenical context of the first centuries of the Church’s historical course.
The analysis of the content of the theological teaching of the Church, from the early stage of its formulation to its later overall development and formation.
The recognition of the contribution of the patristic texts and their use in the temporal needs of the Orthodox Church and Theology.
To further develop their knowledge regarding: 1) the creation of the first Christian communities in the geographical areas of the East and West, 2) the historical, social, political and theological factors that contributed to the gradual differentiation between the ecclesiastical- theological tradition of Greek-speaking Christianity in the East and Latin-speaking Christianity in the West; and, 3) the ways in which the Orthodox Church and theology met with Islam in the wider cultural and religious environment.

Subjects covered:

The early historical origins of the Christian Church and Theology.
The dialectical meeting of Christianity with Judaism and Hellenism.
The dialectical meeting of Patristic Theology with Greek Philosophy.
The Orthodox Church and Theology in the context of Byzantine life and culture.
The genesis and creation of the differences between Eastern and Western Christianity.
The Orthodox Church and Theology in its encounter with Islam.
The Orthodox Church and Theology in the period of the Ottoman Empire.
The Orthodox Church and Theology in the period of modern times

Prerequisite Modules: No

ORTH60: The Faith and Experience of the Orthodox Church in relation to other Christian Traditions

Code: ORTH60

ECTS: 20

Type: Compulsory

Year: 1st

Language of Instruction: Greek

Module Outline

Learning Outcomes: With the completion of the unit “Faith and Life in the Orthodox Church and other Christian Traditions”.

At the knowledge level, students will be able to:

To know and describe the biblical, patristic and contemporary theological framework that composes the basic chapters of theology, worship, ethos and experience of the Orthodox Church.
To recognize and recall systematically and not in fragments the particular elements that define the Orthodox Church.
Explain and restate the theological principles underlying its doctrine and experience in an inter-Christian perspective.

In terms of skills and handling, students will practice the following:

The identification and interpretation of the fundamental axioms, presuppositions and criteria on the basis of which Orthodox theology derives and expounds the basic elements of the faith and life of the Church.
The application and reflective evaluation of the criteria of Orthodox theology, beyond the historical context of their genesis and emergence, in contemporary situations and conditions of life of the Church in dialogue with other Christians and the contemporary world and culture.
The discernment, analysis and correlation of the individual elements that make up the theological and experiential faith and worship tradition of the Orthodox Church, in order to make new and fruitful approaches to both the past and the living present of the Church, and indeed in dialogue with the ecumenical Christian experience.
The synthesis and systematization in one unit of the content and the particular chapters of doctrinal theology, ecclesiastical experience, ethos and worship of the Church, rearranging and redeveloping the contents of the Thematic Unit with new, fruitful and creative proposals, which take into account the temporal and contemporary components of Christian theology.
To evaluate and assess, according to the Orthodox Church’s diachronic criteria, the theological factors, first of all, but also the historical and cultural factors that have shaped the theological and experiential characteristics of the Orthodox faith, worship and life of the Church, by revising absolutizations and ideological constructions of the historical past, comparing and assessing theological issues and ecclesiological situations in various historical periods and, above all, by shedding light on the contemporary problems of the Church in dialogue with other churches

Cognitive Objects:

Prolegomena in Orthodox Theology: methodological and hermeneutical
History of Orthodox Theology: from the apostolic period to the present day
The Theology of the Orthodox Church: a systematic and hermeneutical presentation of its doctrine and its liturgical and ascetical experience.

Prerequisite Modules: No

Evaluation: Four (4) written assignments over the course of the academic term, the average grade of which makes up 30% of the final T.U. grade, on the condition that a passing grade is achieved in the final or repeat examinations. Final examinations, the grade of which makes up 70% of the final T.U. grade.

ORTH51: The Orthodox Church and Theology from the 19th to the 21st century and the contemporary Religious reality

Code: ORTH51

ECTS: 20

Type: Compulsory

Year: 1st

Language of Instruction: Greek

Module Outline

General description of the Module:

In this module, specialized knowledge is offered on the historical course and development of the Orthodox Churches in the expanded Christian world, from the 19th century onwards, as well as on the role of the Ecumenical and other Patriarchates in the formation of the individual Autocephalous Churches. We also survey the socio-political structure and organization of Nation-States in relation to the canonical structure and organization of the local Churches, the forms of theological dialogue that have been developed, and the collaboration they have achieved through the World Council of Churches. The dialogue between Orthodox Churches and other religions is also been examined, along with the global actions that have been employed, especially within the framework of the multiculturalism and multireligiousness in Europe, America, Africa, and Asia.

Learning Outcomes: After the completion of the Thematic Unit “Orthodoxy from the 19th to the 21st century and the contemporary religious reality”

At the knowledge level, students will be able to:

To understand the historical course, development and formation of the Orthodox Churches in modern times and especially in the conditions of globalization and secularization.
Explain the ecclesiastical and canonical role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the creation of the Autocephalous Churches within the framework of the new nation states
To distinguish the political relations that develop between the State and the Church.
Interpret the forms of dialogue that develop between the Orthodox Churches and other Christian Churches and communities (Roman Catholic Church, Protestant Churches, etc.) and Protestant denominations, within the framework of the World Council of Churches.
Recognise the possibility and the necessity of developing inter-religious relations with monotheistic and non-monotheistic religions such as Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism, as well as with contemporary religious movements and traditions that appear both in Western societies and in the so-called Third World.
Evaluate the role of religious education as a means of connecting the Orthodox tradition with other religious and non-religious traditions.

In terms of skills and handling, students will practice the following:

The methodological investigation of the particular elements that shape the historical, political and social context of Orthodox Christian communities.
The analysis of the relations that develop between Orthodox Christian communities and other religious groups.
In the decoding of both formal and informal religious discourse.
The discovery of the power structures that accompany the constitution, operation and action of institutionally formed religions.
The application of an alternative theological discourse, which will make use of religious traditions in the direction of the coexistence of people and peoples.

Cognitive Objects of the Th.E.:

The Orthodox Christian “Diaspora” in the West
The Orthodox Church and the Ecumenical Movement
Dialogues of the Orthodox Church and Theology towards East and West and the role of Hermeneutic Theology
The Orthodox Church in Greek Society
Orthodox Christianity in the Slavic World
Divided Christendom and ecclesiastical antagonism
The Theological Anthropogeography of Christianity
The modern concept of mission
The Theology of Religions

Prerequisite Modules: No

ORTH61: Orthodox Christian Theology and Modern Man

Code: ORTH61

ECTS: 20

Type: Compulsory

Year: 2^nd

Language of Instruction: Greek

Module Outline

General description of the Module:

In this module students examine the ways in which Orthodox Christian theology, as a hermeneutical discipline, understands and explains our contemporary world and the ways in which Orthodox Christian theology approaches contemporary issues, challenges, dilemmas, as well as current cultural, scientific and social achievements, through critical dialogue. Students study subjects such as, Theology and the challenges of modernity and postmodernity; theology’s relation to the arts and Letters; its perspective on major social, political and cultural issues of our times, as well as on issues of contemporary science, bioethics, technology and communication.

Learning Outcomes:

In terms of knowledge, students will be able to:

Recognise the particular epistemological and ontological frame of reference of Christian theology and distinguish it from other scientific, religious and philosophical frames of reference.
Explain and understand the context and the conditions of the dialogue between theology and various aspects of contemporary culture, such as philosophy, the arts, literature, politics, economics, psychology, science, technology, etc.
Understand how theological thinking, through the challenges and crises of the day, is enriched, updated, and developed over time,
then offering her particular critical discourse in the public space of contemporary pluralistic societies.

In terms of skills and handling, students will practice the following:

The description and analysis of the basic elements of modernity and post-modernity.
The critical approach to various contemporary issues, such as bioethics, ecology, feminism, human rights, gender identity, human sexuality, disability, digital technology, the economic and immigration crisis, social injustice, religious education, etc.
The analysis of the central role of theological thought in the public sphere and public debate.
The formulation and implementation of new proposals for the role of theology in the meaning of human life and history.

Cognitive Objects of the Th.E.:

The challenges of modernity and post-modernity
political theology
globalisation and synoptic theologies
the Gospel and cultures
Nationalisms and the Orthodox Christian churches
Feminist theology
anthropological issues: gender, identity and sexuality
the sciences
letters and the arts
human rights
the economic crisis and social injustice
the digital world
bioethical dilemmas in dialogue with Orthodox Christian theology

Prerequisite Modules: No

ORTHDE Postgraduate Diploma Thesis

Module code: ORTHDE

ECTS Credit Points: 40

Module Type: Compulsory

Year: 2^nd

Language: Greek

Module Outline

Content: The postgraduate thesis aims to combine and utilize the knowledge that students have acquired during their studies.

Students may propose a topic of their choice for their Master’s Thesis, taking into account a special list of topics drawn up by the collaborating lecturers. This list is drawn up on the basis of the broader themes of the Master’s programme. Students must prepare the final topic and outline of the Master’s thesis in collaboration with their thesis advisor.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Postgraduate Diploma Thesis students are expected to:

are able to carry out original research in design related to the knowledge of the thematic modules.
be able to search for, collect, verify, critically and synthetically process and present information effectively
handle both primary and secondary sources critically and responsibly

General Regulation for Preparing Graduate Dissertations in PC with an annual Module Correspondence

Prerequisites: The presentation of the Postgraduate Diploma Thesis takes place after the successful completion of the program’s Modules.