Thread: St. Gregory Nazianzen Orthodox Theological Institute

Yeah, the residencies are a pain, for sure. I am a college instructor, and they usually happen in the first two weeks of our semester. Last year, I was out for week 1, and this year, I will be out for week 2 of our semester. However, I have an understanding department chair, who doesn't give me a hard time for it. I find "substitutes" to cover my classes those weeks I am out.

I know some people are able to do two weeks in one year, but I think that is normally reserved for folks from overseas.

FlyingHigh,

Thank you for your response. I'm certainly interested in any follow-up you can provide on the St. Stephen's Course, but my impression has always been that the the residencies are indeed mandatory.

As for the Pastoral School, it seemed rather clear that they wouldn't take me. In fact, I still have the e-mail: "[W]e are unable to accept non-[O]rthodox as students. I'm sorry that I am unable to make an exception to this rule as it is 'school policy'."

Thanks again,

Messdiener

Originally Posted by Messdiener

Greetings everyone,

I have been lurking for months and months and finally decided to register and post. As a little bit of background, I am from the United States and have only completed an undergraduate degree in several Western languages. It is my hope to continue my education and to possibly branch out. As I mentioned in my profile, I am interested in languages, linguistics, theology, Church history , liturgics, etc.

Now, on to my question! A year or two ago, I stumbled on the website for the St. Gregory Nazianzen Orthodox Theological Institute (which can be found here). At the time, the school was only associated with Sofia University in Bulgaria through Ignatius University, which was a cause for concern. While Ignatius does look like it has some interesting programs, I was concerned about its legitimacy.

After finding the website for SGNOTI again today, I see that the school is now part of the Universidad Rural de Guatemala, which is supposedly accredited by El Consejo de la Enseñanza Privada Superior. As most of my previous readings on this site have been about American or South African universities, I was not at all familiar with either the Guatemalan university or the organization that accredits it. Is anyone familiar with either?

While I have no plans to pursue holy orders in the Orthodox Church, I thought that the programs offered by the Orthodox Theological Institute were worthwhile as they seemed to have a wide array of topics to study.

So, can anyone point me in the right direction? Does this seem to be a legitimate school? I have looked into others (such as the one through Euclid) but have been concerned as I previously mentioned.

Thanks for your help everyone!

Messdiener

Did you look at the identity page?
Identity

Universidad Rural de Guatemala (URG) is an institution of higher learning and is accredited by El Consejo de la Enseñanza Privada Superior [Council of Private Higher Education ], Guatemala. URG is listed as an accredited university in the International Handbook of Universities and is included in the International Association of Universities (IAU) database. The IAU is a UNESCO-based worldwide association of higher education institutions.

St. Gregory Nazianzen Orthodox Institute is an autonomous academic unit of URG and has as its purpose the academic preparation, professional and vocational training, and spiritual and theological formation of men and women for service and ministry in the Orthodox Church. The Institute is the successor organization of St. Gregory Nazianzen Orthodox Theological Institute, which was formerly registered as an independent community-based non-profit organization in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The Institute now operates from Nueva Concepción, Guatemala. Please see Leyes y Reglamentos del Instituto Ortodoxo «San Gregorio Nacianceno» and El Convenio de Cooperación entre la Universidad Rural de Guatemala y el Instituto Ortodoxo «San Gregorio Nacianceno».

The Institute is organized into 7 specialized academic units called 'Schools', including (1) the School of Orthodox Studies, and (2) the School of Business Administration , (3) the School of Computer Sciences, (4) the School of Education , (5) the School of General Studies, (6) the School of Hellenic Studies, and (7) the School of Slavic Studies.

BILATERAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS AND ALLIANCES

St. Gregory Nazianzen Orthodox Institute at URG has cooperative agreements with (1) Ignatius University, an affiliate of St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, and (2) the Pavel Florensky School of Theology (Euclid University).

The Institute is also allied with the following institutions.
*
Amridge University
Montgomery, Alabama US

St. Gregory Nazianzen Orthodox Institute M.S. in Orthodox Studies graduates are encouraged to apply for the Amridge University (AU) Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) program. The prerequisites to acceptance into the D. Min. program can be found in the AU Academic Catalog. AU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies
Cambridge, UK

Exceptional St. Gregory Nazianzen Orthodox Institute B.S. in Orthodox Studies graduates are also encouraged to apply for the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies (IOCS) course leading to the MA in Pastoral Theology, taught within the Cambridge Theological Federation. The prerequisites to acceptance into the IOCS course leading to the MA in Pastoral Theology include: (a) an outstanding GPA / qualifications; (b) a willingness to serve the Church in a pastoral capacity, and (c) a 6.5 or 7.0 score in the academic version of the International English Language Testing System, or its equivalent.

Students who pass IOCS course leading to the MA in Pastoral Theology with distinction may seek access to the Cambridge University M. Phil. Program, which is the gateway to Cambridge doctoral studies.

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