ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY 101 - 2011-2012 Syllabus
SEPTEMBER
21 Introduction: a tour of St. Paul’s. Art, history, theology and Jesus.
“What the walls of an Orthodox Church teach us” from Introducing the Orthodox Church pp. 111-118“The Theotokos with Child in the Apse” and “Christ Pantokrator” from Sacred Symbols that Speak pp. 125-155
28 Liturgy: Why do we worship the way that we do? Bible & sacraments.
“Symbols: What are they?’ and “Incense” and “Candles” from Sacred Symbols that Speak pp. 1-46
OCTOBER
5 Looking at the Divine Liturgy: A commentary and explanation 1.
“The Divine Liturgy: Reality not Symbol” from Sacred Symbols that Speak pp. 155-193
12 Looking at the Divine Liturgy: A commentary and explanation 2.
“What we believe about the Divine Liturgy” from Introducing the Orthodox Church pp. 44-61
19 Preparing the bread and wine for worship: the Proskomide
The “Worship” section in the OC 101 Notebook
26 Looking at the Divine Liturgy: questions and discussion!
NOVEMBER
2 The Liturgical Year: seasons of feasting and fasting.
“What we believe about the Church Year” from Introducing the Orthodox Church pp. 93-110
9 Living a sacramental life.
“What we believe about the sacraments” from Introducing the Orthodox Church pp. 163-196
“The Meaning of Baptism” – a letter of St. Cyprian of Carthage
16 Icons: Jesus is the icon of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).
“What we believe about icons” from Introducing the Orthodox Church pp. 225-240
DVD – an excerpt from The Face: Jesus in Art
23 Thanksgiving eve celebration of the Liturgy!
Come to Liturgy! No class tonight.
30 Living icons, being holy: the saints and their witness to Jesus.
“What we believe about the saints and the Theotokos” from Introducing the Orthodox Church pp. 119-138
DVD – Mother Teresa: A Documentary
DECEMBER
7 Advent: Preparing for Christmas and Epiphany.
“The Winter Pascha” and a collection of brief articles about the Christmas fast by Father Thomas Hopko in the OC 101 Notebook
14 Advent: Preparing for Christmas and Epiphany.
“Epiphany and the blessing of water” from Sacred Symbols that Speak pp. 195-217
21 Christmas break. No class tonight.
28 Christmas break. No class tonight.
JANUARY
4 The Church: the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, foretaste of the Kingdom.
“The one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church” and “We are the Church of the early fathers” from Introducing the Orthodox Church pp. 4-18 and 74-93
DVD – A History of Orthodox Christianity: Beginnings
11 The history of the early Church.
“Which came first: the Church or the New Testament?” a pamphlet by Father James Bernstein
DVD – A History of Orthodox Christianity: Byzantium
18 Where did all these churches come from? The history of the Church in the Middle Ages thru modern times.
The “Teaching” section in the OC 101 Notebook about the Church and her history
DVD – A History of Orthodox Christianity: A Hidden Treasure
25 The Church of the 7 ecumenical councils and the Nicene Creed.
“What we believe about the Nicene Creed” and “What we believe about Jesus” and “What we believe about the Holy Trinity” and “What we believe about salvation.” from Introducing the Orthodox Church pp. 19-43 and 62-73
DVD – Synaxis: A Gathering
FEBRUARY
1 Reading the Scriptures: the Bible as sacrament.
“What we believe about the Bible” from Introducing the Orthodox Church pp. 197-224
8 Studying the Bible: being a disciple of Jesus and doing the Truth.
The “Scripture” section in the OC 101 Notebook
All those who wish to be made catechumens on Sunday, February 19th and begin the process of entering the Church thru baptism and/or chrismation must have made their decision and informed Father Steve by tonight!
15 Reading the Old Testament: getting our feet wet.
Genesis, Psalms, Proverbs and Amos
22 Reading the New Testament: getting our feet wet.
The Gospel of Luke and the First Letter of John
27 Pure Monday: Great Lent begins! Lenten mini-retreat 10AM-1PM
29 The monastic witness to the Gospel.
“Monasticism: the Biblical Call” from The OC 101 Notebook
DVD – The Monastery of St. Katherine on Mt. Sinai
MARCH
7 Being a disciple: the disciplines of Great Lent - prayer, fasting and
almsgiving.
14 Life after death, praying for the dead and the end of the world.
“What we believe about eschatology or life after death” and “What we believe about prayers for the dead” from Introducing the Orthodox Church pp.139-162 and 241-247
“Prayer and the Departed Saints” a pamphlet by Professor David Ford
21 Christianity as personal encounter and personal discipline.
Read all of God and You: Person to Person
Developing a Personal Relationship with Jesus pp. 1-133
DVD – Icons from Sinai
28 The spiritual ascent: silence, solitude and prayer.
"What we believe about Prayer" from Introducing the Orthodox Church" pp. 248-274
“The Ladder to Heaven” and “Hesychasm: the Practice of Silence” from Sacred Symbols that Speak pp. 61-92
APRIL
4 Living faithfully at St. Paul's.
"In view of all this: what, therefore, is expected of us?" from Introducing the Orthodox Church pp. 275-282
In preparation for the services of Holy Week, read “Palms: symbols of victory, surrender and allegiance” and “Good Friday: the tomb of Jesus” from Sacred Symbols that Speak pp.93-124
11 Great and Holy Wednesday. No class tonight.
Come to the anointing service.
18 Wrap-up; final discussion; guest speakers; potluck celebration!
Required Reading
The Bible
Introducing the Orthodox Church by Father Anthony Coniaris
Sacred Symbols that Speak by Father Anthony Coniaris
God and You: developing a daily personal relationship with Jesus by Father Anthony Coniaris
The Orthodox Christianity 101 Notebook
Suggested Reading
The Orthodox Church by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware
The Orthodox Way by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware
Beginning to Pray by Metropolitan Anthony Bloom
Living Prayer by Metropolitan Anthony Bloom
The Ladder of the Beatitudes by Jim Forest
For the Life of the World by Father Alexander Schmemann
Becoming Orthodox by Father Peter Gillquist
