Contemporary people look for ways of counteracting the pressures and stress of duty, information overload, and social life. As a result, meditation and other spiritual practices are becoming more widespread as people search for serenity. But, in the absence of a tradition as a context for validation, it is difficult to ascertain the effects of such practices on a long run. The Christian spiritual tradition has its own ways of addressing issues such as stress, burnout, fatigue, despondency etc. It also has the advantage of having assessed the outcomes of relevant practices through the ages. This unit discusses techniques of nature contemplation (Clement, Athanasius) and scriptural anagogical reading (Origen, Evagrius), together with measurements of these practices from the viewpoint of their anthropological efficacy in terms of “divine sense-perception” (Athanasius, Diadochus, Maximus), dreaming and visions (Antony, Athanasius, Evagrius), and other charismatic experiences, such as the “burning heart” (miscellaneous philokalic authors). The unit suggests ways of integrating techniques of scriptural and natural contemplation into the contemporary quest for serenity, against the backdrop of Eastern and Oriental Christian spiritual traditions.
Available courses
This course unit critically engages the thought and methods of Chacedonian and non-Chalcedonian figures from the fifth to the seventh century. Building on Church Fathers: An Introduction, this unit enables students to comprehensively understand the connection between the historical circumstances, the spiritual life and the formulation of Christian theology, until the rise of Islam. In particular, this unit will examine the interplay between Chalcedonian and non-Chalcedonian thinkers, and provide the framework within which to critically reflect on the contemporary relationship between the Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox Churches.
This course unit a broad overview of Orthodox Christian apologetics and serves as a foundation for more detailed study of specific issues in apologetics. It addresses the philosophy, logic, methodology, and practice of apologetics in the 21st century west by applying them to the exploration of a series of challenges to Christian faith.
This graduate course unit explores representatives of the Alexandrian Patristic tradition from the second to the fifth century within their historical milieu, their connections with other strands of tradition, and their lasting significance for the history of theology and the Christian experience.
- Teacher: p. Doru Costache
This course unit engages the thought and methods of the early Church Fathers, investigating the major trends in Christian tradition to early fifth century. It assists students to understand the connection between historical circumstances, the spiritual life and the formulation of Christian theology.
- Teacher: Michael Ibrahim
This course unit explores how Christians have used the cosmos around them to know God (General Revelation), as distinct from scripture (Special Revelation) and the relationship and uses of natural theology in fields such as apologetics, spiritual theology, pastoral theology, and mystical theology.
- Teacher: Fr Antonios Kaldas
This course unit introduces students to the critical study of the New Testament, its literary forms, historical and cultural contexts and theological themes. It provides a solid foundation for further biblical and theological study. This course unit introduces the study of the New Testament to the student. It will discuss the many different approaches to studying and understanding the New Testament and scripture in general, and will suggest an approach to the New Testament, with a particular look at the Orthodox method of scriptural interpretation. The course will also examine some key themes in the New Testament, and the Orthodox understanding of these themes and issues. This course aims to equip students with a clear framework of Biblical interpretation, as a basis for their continued studies.
This course unit examines the literature and theological content of Paul, with due consideration of their historical, cultural and religious settings. It will also seek to develop a patristic, Orthodox, and authentic understanding of the Pauline corpus.
- Teacher: Fr Daniel Fanous
Modern Western Christianity cannot be fully understood without the knowledge of the origins of the doctrines, practices and disputes that led to Christianity today, both Catholic and Protestant. Orthodox Christians in the Western World come face to face daily with the beliefs and practices that were formed through momentous historical events such as the fall of Rome, the Reformation and the Great Awakening as well as many others. These events, together with he politics, conflict and upheaval they engendered, leave a legacy today that cannot be understood without this historical knowledge.
- Teacher: Fr Samuel Fanous
This unit aims to introduce students to prayer in the Orthodox church’s theology and practice. In this unit we will explore the topic of prayer by studying different sources such as the Bible, Patristic texts, monastic texts as well as liturgical texts and how the theology of the church affects the church practice of prayer at the corporate as well as the individual level.
- Teacher: Fr Anthony St Shenouda
This unit aims to introduce students to the theoretical concepts and terminology associated with addictions as a foundation for counselling practice. Students will gain knowledge in the clinical features of addictions, the addiction cycle and co-occurring disorders. Support and therapy options will also be introduced.
This course unit provides students a foundation for the study of the worship of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
This course unit is an introduction to the practice of youth ministry. It seeks to encourage students to think differently about how best to minister to this post-modern generation. Students will be introduced to ideas and principles applicable to many different contexts and given tools to evaluate and implement these principles.
This course unit is an introduction to pastoral and practical theology for ministry. It is also an opportunity to overview the biblical and theological foundations of ministry. Common aspects of ministry will be considered.
- Teacher: Fr Mark Basily
This course unit provides students a foundation for the study of the worship of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
- Teacher: Mina H. Samy
This course introduces students to various models of pastoral counselling that are integral to the process of ministry and encourages critical reflection upon this. Emphasis will be both on learning the function of basic counselling skills within the pastoral context and on theological reflection upon this form of pastoral activity.
- Teacher: Margaret Tadros
This graduate course unit introduces students to the procedures and skills required to research a topic, critically evaluate research materials, organise information, and prepare a research proposal. It is a prerequisite for X9692 Research Project, X9696 Research Essay, and X8598 Honours thesis but may be taken by any qualified student. It focuses on the research, organisation, ethical issues, and writing skills that the student will need to prepare an acceptable research essay or thesis. Applicants for Sydney College of Divinity research degree programs are required to have completed this unit at distinction level or demonstrate equivalence in achievement.
This graduate course unit introduces students to the procedures and skills required to research a topic, critically evaluate research materials, organise information, and prepare a research proposal. It is a prerequisite for X9692 Research Project, X9696 Research Essay, and X8598 Honours thesis but may be taken by any qualified student. It focuses on the research, organisation, ethical issues, and writing skills that the student will need to prepare an acceptable research essay or thesis. Applicants for Sydney College of Divinity research degree programs are required to have completed this unit at distinction level or demonstrate equivalence in achievement.
- Teacher: Fr Paul Fanous
This graduate course unit introduces students to the procedures and skills required to research a topic, critically evaluate research materials, organise information, and prepare a research proposal. It is a prerequisite for X9692 Research Project, X9696 Research Essay, and X8598 Honours thesis but may be taken by any qualified student. It focuses on the research, organisation, ethical issues, and writing skills that the student will need to prepare an acceptable research essay or thesis. Applicants for Sydney College of Divinity research degree programs are required to have completed this unit at distinction level or demonstrate equivalence in achievement.
- Teacher: Prof Abdul Saadi
This graduate course unit introduces students to the procedures and skills required to research a topic, critically evaluate research materials, organise information, and prepare a research proposal. It is a prerequisite for X9692 Research Project, X9696 Research Essay, and X8598 Honours thesis but may be taken by any qualified student. It focuses on the research, organisation, ethical issues, and writing skills that the student will need to prepare an acceptable research essay or thesis. Applicants for Sydney College of Divinity research degree programs are required to have completed this unit at distinction level or demonstrate equivalence in achievement.
- Teacher: Samuel Kaldas
This graduate course unit introduces students to the procedures and skills required to research a topic, critically evaluate research materials, organise information, and prepare a research proposal. It is a prerequisite for X9692 Research Project, X9696 Research Essay, and X8598 Honours thesis but may be taken by any qualified student. It focuses on the research, organisation, ethical issues, and writing skills that the student will need to prepare an acceptable research essay or thesis. Applicants for Sydney College of Divinity research degree programs are required to have completed this unit at distinction level or demonstrate equivalence in achievement.
- Teacher: Fr Daniel Fanous
This graduate course unit introduces students to the procedures and skills required to research a topic, critically evaluate research materials, organise information, and prepare a research proposal. It is a prerequisite for X9692 Research Project, X9696 Research Essay, and X8598 Honours thesis but may be taken by any qualified student. It focuses on the research, organisation, ethical issues, and writing skills that the student will need to prepare an acceptable research essay or thesis. Applicants for Sydney College of Divinity research degree programs are required to have completed this unit at distinction level or demonstrate equivalence in achievement.
- Teacher: p. Doru Costache
Resources for Higher Degree Research Students
Resources for St Cyril's Faculty & Research Staff
Recognising the constantly evolving challenges to the Church, St Cyril’s has developed a ‘Continuing Priest Development (CPD)’ Program for all clergy under His Grace Bishop Daniel. This program will be facilitated by St. Cyril’s in a similar fashion to other professional continuing development programs. It aims to equip priests with ongoing education and will focus more on practical issues in ministry, as well as applied theology. Priests will be constantly updated and trained in meeting the evolving needs of their congregations.