New Weekend Course on Fathers and Scripture

The Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute will offer the following courses for the fall semester at the Gradutate Theological Union, including a course that will meet on Fridays and Saturdays, once a month. According to the Institute Director, Anton Vrame, this course is designed to meet the interests of people with busy schedules who want to pursue graduate level education in Orthodox theology. It also allows PAOI to bring scholars in from outside the Bay Area with special expertise.

"Patristic Exegesis of Scripture" will be taught by Eugenia Constantinou. This course will meet Fridays from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at PAOI on the following weekends; September 9 & 10, October 7 & 8, November 4 & 5, and December 2 & 3.

The course will examine the primary issues, methods and techniques used by early Christian biblical interpreters. Attention will be given to the practical philosophical approaches of the primary "schools" of thought, leading to a study of individual exegetes, both Eastern and Western Fathers, and how they exemplified various approaches. We will investigate the strengths and limitations of the patristic exegetes and their methods, as well as how the Fathers dealt with difficulties and challenges posed by the biblical text. Special attention will be paid to the books of Genesis, Matthew, and the writings of Paul. The objective is not to engage in abstract analysis of these early interpreters, but to acquire an understanding of the exegetes as men of their times, with unique personalities, backgrounds, perspectives, opinions and concerns. The courses will require reading assignments, especially from the primary sources and writing assignments consisting of three papers and a take home final exam.

Eugenia Constantinou is completeing a PhD in New Testament at the University of Laval. She teaches courses at the University of San Diego and taught New Testament at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts.

"Orthodox Chrisitan Church: History and Theology" will be taught by John Klentos on Thursday mornings from 9:40 to 12:30, beginning September 8 and ending December 8. This course is a surveyof the history and theology of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Beginning with the Church's Byzantine roots, the course will sketch the development of Orthodox Christianity from its imperial phase and missionary efforts, through the dark years of decline and opression, up to its present life in the western world and reemergence in Eastern-bloc countries. Throughout the course, theological investigation will include historical inquiry. Evaluation will be based on class discussion, two brief presentations and two written assignments.

John Klentos is Associate Professor of Orthodox Studies at the Graduate Theological Union, the academic home of the PAOI.

The cost to audit either course in $250, but requires advance registration through the Institute. Graduate School credit for attendance can also be obtained. For registration information, please contact the Institute at 510 649 3450.