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.
Available courses
This graduate course unit is designed to introduce students to the biblical and theological roots of the Christian understanding of the human person. It lays the foundations for further specialised studies in the discipline of theology, and provides a framework for the Christian approach to pastoral counselling.
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 is designed to provide students with an understanding of the person and saving work of Jesus Christ. It seeks to explore this understanding in the light of contemporary Christian thought and life.
- Teacher: Fr John McGuckin
This course unit aims to introduce students to the literary forms, historical and cultural contexts and theological themes of the Old Testament. It seeks to provide a foundation for further biblical and theological study.
- Teacher: Fr Paul Fanous
This course introduces students to the lives and literature of the Desert Fathers, teaching them to read desert texts closely and critically with a view to better understanding their philosophical worldview in its ancient context and in relation to contemporary issues.
Theology is best conducted against the context of the ambient cultures of thought and life. The study of modern philosophy best captures the underlying assumptions and intuitions of the modern world. By surveying a range of central philosophical fields and their most pertinent questions, students will be much better equipped to pursue their theological endeavours in more relevant and productive ways.
- Teacher: Fr Antonios Kaldas
This course is a survey of Coptic art, archaeology and architecture. Coptic monasteries were rich sites of many cultural exchanges as manifested in their architecture and religious art. In addition to the religious themes, the course will cover some aspects of the civil and daily life of the Copts: their houses, religious architecture, funerary monuments, art and artefacts.
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 course focuses on the Egyptian Eucharistic Liturgies. After building a foundation of liturgical history, students will be looking more at liturgical theology: what do our Eucharistic prayers say about our theology as a church?
This graduate unit introduces students to the foundational skills and principles involved in the preparation and delivery of sermons.
This course unit provides students a foundation for the study of the worship of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
- Teacher: Mina H. Samy
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.
- Teacher: Jessica George
- Teacher: Kirollos Saleeb
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
Resources for Higher Degree Research Students
Resources for St Cyril's Faculty & Research Staff
- Teacher: Prof. Edith Humphrey
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.
This graduate course unit aims to provide an introduction to pastoral counselling within the Christian context. In particular, students will be introduced to the theological basis for the task of Christian counselling as multidimensional ‘trialogue’, engaging the fullness of the human person.