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| THE HOLY BYZANTINE CATHOLIC ORTHODOX CHURCH A TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY |
| SAINT JOHN’S THE DIVINE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY (323) 255-6911 California Educational Code (CEC) Section 94739 (b) (6) * Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education School Code: 83344574 |
VISION
Saint John’s Seminary will offer its seminarians the opportunity to grow mentally, spiritually, socially,
emotionally and physically in their love of Jesus Christ and His Holy Bride the Church. It does this through
its focus on the following major themes of formation; Doctrinal Formation, Spiritual Formation,
Communicational Formation, Pastoral Formation and Evangelical Formation.
MISSION STATEMENT
Saint John’s Seminary is entrusted in the development of biblical, traditional and professional competent
Byzantine Catholic Orthodox ministers of Jesus Christ who will impact the church, world and their region.
This mission is rooted in the school’s doctrinal, traditional and professional heritage, and is put in to
practical effect through five educational formations; Doctrinal Formation, Spiritual Formation,
Communicational Formation, Pastoral Formation and Evangelical Formation.
**************************************************************************************************************************
DOCTRINAL FORMATION
Educational Purpose; To develop ministers with strong biblical, doctrinal and traditional convictions.
Institutional Strategy; Through exposure to the Holy Bible and Traditions of the Christian Faith, we
encourage students to become lifelong students of the Word of God. A biblical and traditionally centered
curriculum, focus on ministry will guide students to integrate principal with practice. The mentored
internship forges and tests a biblically, theologically and traditionally informed philosophy of ministry on the
seminarian.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Educational Purpose; To develop ministers with spiritual maturity who are actively growing in their
knowledge of God and their identity in Christ. A deep, personal, loving, sincere and fervent relationship
with God and His Holy Church that; will continue after ordination. To reveal a life of personal holiness,
discipline, and sensibility to the realities of the world. To participate in the Divine Liturgy, faithful meditation
on the Holy Word and faithful prayer, all of which are characteristics of the spirituality of Orthodox Priest.
Institutional Strategy; Emphasis in maturity of character, personal and interpersonal development. It is
measured by a personal faculty interaction and evaluation. Special emphasis is placed in spiritual
formation classes and mentored internship.
COMMUNICATIONAL FORMATION
Educational Purpose; To develop ministers with effective communication skills who strive to
communicate the Holy Word of God accurately and relevantly; and are becoming specialists in one or
more of the following areas as affective preachers; creative teachers; proficient facilitators of small
groups, communities, and task forces; competent ministers who are able to discern spiritual and
emotional needs, listen well, and guide towards the well-being of the members of his Christian community.
PASTORAL FORMATION
Educational Purpose; To develop ministers with a love and passion to strengthen the Holy Church, who
define, personalize, motivate, influence God’s people, and guides the church toward renewal and unity.
He will also understand the vital spiritual and organizational components in planting, developing and
maintaining a healthy church and understand and employ appropriate ministry strategies. Ministries will be
accomplished through effective teamwork and by humbly leading others without the need for manipulation
or competition.
Institutional Strategy; Our curriculum fosters ministry competencies for all stages of life. Most
importantly, the mentored internship provokes students to experience church life in a crucible that tests
these important skills.
EVANGELICAL FORMATION
Educational Purpose; To develop ministers with a global evangelistic missionary vision who affirm a
sensitivity to multi-ethnic, interdenominational and world missions of the holy body of Christ the Church.
To encourage a partnership with missions through prayer, giving and visiting them.
Institutional Strategy; Biblical, traditional and doctrinal competency, spiritual maturity, effective
communicational skills and ministry leadership are essential to mission development. A annual Mission
Conference will foster a missionary passion. Our partnership with various organizations exposes students
to local and global church renewal efforts.
**************************************************************************************************************************
Saint John’s Seminary will offer its seminarians the opportunity to grow mentally, spiritually, socially,
emotionally and physically in their love of Jesus Christ and His Holy Bride the Church. It does this through
its focus on the following major themes of formation; Doctrinal Formation, Spiritual Formation,
Communicational Formation, Pastoral Formation and Evangelical Formation.
MISSION STATEMENT
Saint John’s Seminary is entrusted in the development of biblical, traditional and professional competent
Byzantine Catholic Orthodox ministers of Jesus Christ who will impact the church, world and their region.
This mission is rooted in the school’s doctrinal, traditional and professional heritage, and is put in to
practical effect through five educational formations; Doctrinal Formation, Spiritual Formation,
Communicational Formation, Pastoral Formation and Evangelical Formation.
**************************************************************************************************************************
DOCTRINAL FORMATION
Educational Purpose; To develop ministers with strong biblical, doctrinal and traditional convictions.
Institutional Strategy; Through exposure to the Holy Bible and Traditions of the Christian Faith, we
encourage students to become lifelong students of the Word of God. A biblical and traditionally centered
curriculum, focus on ministry will guide students to integrate principal with practice. The mentored
internship forges and tests a biblically, theologically and traditionally informed philosophy of ministry on the
seminarian.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Educational Purpose; To develop ministers with spiritual maturity who are actively growing in their
knowledge of God and their identity in Christ. A deep, personal, loving, sincere and fervent relationship
with God and His Holy Church that; will continue after ordination. To reveal a life of personal holiness,
discipline, and sensibility to the realities of the world. To participate in the Divine Liturgy, faithful meditation
on the Holy Word and faithful prayer, all of which are characteristics of the spirituality of Orthodox Priest.
Institutional Strategy; Emphasis in maturity of character, personal and interpersonal development. It is
measured by a personal faculty interaction and evaluation. Special emphasis is placed in spiritual
formation classes and mentored internship.
COMMUNICATIONAL FORMATION
Educational Purpose; To develop ministers with effective communication skills who strive to
communicate the Holy Word of God accurately and relevantly; and are becoming specialists in one or
more of the following areas as affective preachers; creative teachers; proficient facilitators of small
groups, communities, and task forces; competent ministers who are able to discern spiritual and
emotional needs, listen well, and guide towards the well-being of the members of his Christian community.
PASTORAL FORMATION
Educational Purpose; To develop ministers with a love and passion to strengthen the Holy Church, who
define, personalize, motivate, influence God’s people, and guides the church toward renewal and unity.
He will also understand the vital spiritual and organizational components in planting, developing and
maintaining a healthy church and understand and employ appropriate ministry strategies. Ministries will be
accomplished through effective teamwork and by humbly leading others without the need for manipulation
or competition.
Institutional Strategy; Our curriculum fosters ministry competencies for all stages of life. Most
importantly, the mentored internship provokes students to experience church life in a crucible that tests
these important skills.
EVANGELICAL FORMATION
Educational Purpose; To develop ministers with a global evangelistic missionary vision who affirm a
sensitivity to multi-ethnic, interdenominational and world missions of the holy body of Christ the Church.
To encourage a partnership with missions through prayer, giving and visiting them.
Institutional Strategy; Biblical, traditional and doctrinal competency, spiritual maturity, effective
communicational skills and ministry leadership are essential to mission development. A annual Mission
Conference will foster a missionary passion. Our partnership with various organizations exposes students
to local and global church renewal efforts.
**************************************************************************************************************************
*********************************************************************************************************
DIACONATE
DIACONAL FORMATION
As the Sacred Diaconate is an important ministry in the Orthodox Church and not just a stepping-stone to
the Priesthood, the Fall semester of the second year of instruction is designed to prepare men and women
for service as deacons in the Church. The liturgical courses offered in this semester focuses on the
Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and other Services. The third semester students will be encouraged to petition
for ordination, after having received the endorsement of mentor and Seminary faculty, in order to have an
opportunity to learn, through active participation, how to serve the Divine Services in the Seminary Chapel
and elsewhere within the Diocese.
**************************************************************************************************************************
FORMATION and ORDINATION
PRIESTLY FORMATION
Men who are considered candidates for the Holy Priesthood, with the blessing of the diocesan Hierarch,
endorsement of mentor and permission of the faculty, will be permitted to enter the forth semester
program. Under the guidance of the Primate Archbishop His Beatitude Mar +Azarias, students will be
mentored in those skills necessary for a good, well-rounded Orthodox Pastor. Field work in the hospitals,
hospices, prisons and diocesan church will form a major part of the sixth semester program. Classes will
be held in Canon Law, Liturgics, and other areas of Pastoral Life, Parish Administration and Counseling .
Students will be expected to participate in the cycle of liturgical services at Seminaries Chapel or local
parish. The last four weeks of the final semester it takes place in San Marino California at the Campus of
Saint John=s the Divine after the seminarian may elect to be ordination in the Holy Trinity Church in San
Marino or return home for ordination.
**************************************************************************************************************************
MASTERS OF DIVINITY and DOCTORATE OF DIVINITY
MASTERS OF DIVINITY
Men and women who are considered candidates for a Masters of Divinity, with the blessing of the
diocesan Hierarch, endorsement of mentor and permission of the faculty, will be permitted to enter the
forth year program. Classes will be held in Byzantine Theology, Ancient Theology, Mediaeval Theology,
Modern Theology and Patristic Theology. The student will submit, an in-depth research paper on a
selected topic in theology that has been endorsed by the Committee and approved by the Faculty. The
Thesis: (1) must show scholarly knowledge of the subject, and demonstrate extensive research and
originality of thought and it must be substantial in character and length (approximately 50,000 words), (2)
the student will work under the supervision of a Faculty member (Faculty Supervisor) selected by the
Committee. After the approval of the supervising faculty member, it is to be submitted to the Committee.
The examination of the Thesis will be conducted by a panel of three examiners including: the dissertation
Faculty Supervisor; the Chair of the Committee on Advanced Degrees; and one external examiners
appointed by the Dean of the Seminary upon recommendation of the
DOCTORATE OF DIVINITY
Men and women who are considered candidates for a Masters of Divinity, with the blessing of the
diocesan Hierarch, endorsement of mentor and permission of the faculty, will be permitted to enter the fifth
year program. Classes will be held in Ecumenical Theology, New Testament Theology and Paulist
Theology. The student will submit, and successfully defend, a dissertation in the major area of study that
has been endorsed by the Committee and approved by the Faculty. The dissertation: 1. must show
scholarly knowledge of the literature of the subject, and demonstrate extensive research and originality of
thought and it must be substantial in character and length (approximately 75,000 words), 2. the student will
work under the supervision of a Faculty member (Faculty Supervisor) selected by the Committee. After the
approval of the supervising faculty member, it is to be submitted to the Committee. The examination of the
dissertation will be conducted by a panel of three examiners including: the dissertation Faculty Supervisor;
the Chair of the Committee on Advanced Degrees; and one external examiners appointed by the Dean of
the Seminary upon recommendation of the supervisors and the Committee. The examining panel will
report to the Faculty, via the Chair of the Committee, their judgment of the dissertation and of the student=s
defense of it.
NOTE
We will have a Bachelors program very soon.
**************************************************************************************************************************
DIACONATE
DIACONAL FORMATION
As the Sacred Diaconate is an important ministry in the Orthodox Church and not just a stepping-stone to
the Priesthood, the Fall semester of the second year of instruction is designed to prepare men and women
for service as deacons in the Church. The liturgical courses offered in this semester focuses on the
Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and other Services. The third semester students will be encouraged to petition
for ordination, after having received the endorsement of mentor and Seminary faculty, in order to have an
opportunity to learn, through active participation, how to serve the Divine Services in the Seminary Chapel
and elsewhere within the Diocese.
**************************************************************************************************************************
FORMATION and ORDINATION
PRIESTLY FORMATION
Men who are considered candidates for the Holy Priesthood, with the blessing of the diocesan Hierarch,
endorsement of mentor and permission of the faculty, will be permitted to enter the forth semester
program. Under the guidance of the Primate Archbishop His Beatitude Mar +Azarias, students will be
mentored in those skills necessary for a good, well-rounded Orthodox Pastor. Field work in the hospitals,
hospices, prisons and diocesan church will form a major part of the sixth semester program. Classes will
be held in Canon Law, Liturgics, and other areas of Pastoral Life, Parish Administration and Counseling .
Students will be expected to participate in the cycle of liturgical services at Seminaries Chapel or local
parish. The last four weeks of the final semester it takes place in San Marino California at the Campus of
Saint John=s the Divine after the seminarian may elect to be ordination in the Holy Trinity Church in San
Marino or return home for ordination.
**************************************************************************************************************************
MASTERS OF DIVINITY and DOCTORATE OF DIVINITY
MASTERS OF DIVINITY
Men and women who are considered candidates for a Masters of Divinity, with the blessing of the
diocesan Hierarch, endorsement of mentor and permission of the faculty, will be permitted to enter the
forth year program. Classes will be held in Byzantine Theology, Ancient Theology, Mediaeval Theology,
Modern Theology and Patristic Theology. The student will submit, an in-depth research paper on a
selected topic in theology that has been endorsed by the Committee and approved by the Faculty. The
Thesis: (1) must show scholarly knowledge of the subject, and demonstrate extensive research and
originality of thought and it must be substantial in character and length (approximately 50,000 words), (2)
the student will work under the supervision of a Faculty member (Faculty Supervisor) selected by the
Committee. After the approval of the supervising faculty member, it is to be submitted to the Committee.
The examination of the Thesis will be conducted by a panel of three examiners including: the dissertation
Faculty Supervisor; the Chair of the Committee on Advanced Degrees; and one external examiners
appointed by the Dean of the Seminary upon recommendation of the
DOCTORATE OF DIVINITY
Men and women who are considered candidates for a Masters of Divinity, with the blessing of the
diocesan Hierarch, endorsement of mentor and permission of the faculty, will be permitted to enter the fifth
year program. Classes will be held in Ecumenical Theology, New Testament Theology and Paulist
Theology. The student will submit, and successfully defend, a dissertation in the major area of study that
has been endorsed by the Committee and approved by the Faculty. The dissertation: 1. must show
scholarly knowledge of the literature of the subject, and demonstrate extensive research and originality of
thought and it must be substantial in character and length (approximately 75,000 words), 2. the student will
work under the supervision of a Faculty member (Faculty Supervisor) selected by the Committee. After the
approval of the supervising faculty member, it is to be submitted to the Committee. The examination of the
dissertation will be conducted by a panel of three examiners including: the dissertation Faculty Supervisor;
the Chair of the Committee on Advanced Degrees; and one external examiners appointed by the Dean of
the Seminary upon recommendation of the supervisors and the Committee. The examining panel will
report to the Faculty, via the Chair of the Committee, their judgment of the dissertation and of the student=s
defense of it.
NOTE
We will have a Bachelors program very soon.
**************************************************************************************************************************
| PLEASE CONTACT US IN ORDER TO GET THE CATALOG WITH THE CURRICULUM Note: we are not a Degree Mill so please do not ask. |
| @2007 by The Holy Byzantine Catholic Orthodox Church inc. All right reserved |
Byzantine Catholic Church - Traditional - Eastern Rite - Western Rite - Episcopal - Saint Tikhon
90% Online Courses
"The bureau responsible for oversight of private post-secondary education in California ceased to exist due to expiration of
authorizing legislation on 6/30/07. Since there is no current statute, St. John the Divine Seminary intends to comply under the
former statute and will comply with any new statute."
This statement shall not be constructed to imply, express or represent that the State of California Vocational Education has made
any evaluation, recognition, accreditation, approval or endorsement for any course of study or degree.
MINISTER / READER
In the Fall semester of the first year, the student will built a great depth in the fundamentals of the Orthodox
Christian Faith in two areas of study, catechism and knowledge of the Old and New Testament. The entire
course of study in the first semester is intended to qualify the student to serve the Holy Church as a
Reader.
The second semester will enable him / her to teach the curriculum of the Department of Religious
Education of the Church and in a parish school as a Minister. It is also intended to lead the student directly
into the second year program B with the endorsement of mentor and Seminary faculty
