BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY FOR MINISTRY (BTh) CERTIFICATE IN THEOLOGY FOR MINISTRY (CTM) INSTITUTE FOR ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN STUDIES

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1 BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY FOR MINISTRY (BTh) CERTIFICATE IN THEOLOGY FOR MINISTRY (CTM) INSTITUTE FOR ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN STUDIES C A M B R I D G E

2 WHO WE ARE BTh/Certificate in Theology for Ministry The Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies is the pan-orthodox house for theological studies in the ancient university city of Cambridge, England. The Institute was founded in 1999 with the blessing of Orthodox hierarchs with responsibilities in the United Kingdom. At a major crossroad for academic exchange, it attracts students and scholars from the world over. There can be no progress in education without ascesis. To learn is, indeed, an experience in wonder but it is also a podvig, a focused effort, a rigorous exploit. In the words of David the King to Araunah, I will not offer to the Lord my God that which costs me nothing (2 Samuel 24:24). This ascetic element needs also to find its proper place in our Institute. Metropolitan Kallistos Ware President

3 THE BACHELOR IN THEOLOGY FOR MINISTRY (BTh) is taught within the Cambridge Theological Federation. Some papers are taught alongside the BA in Christian Theology (see page 9), others are taught alongside Tripos students in the Faculty of Divinity. The BTh is a degree programme in theology for ministry. Students are enabled to study all aspects of theology - doctrine, liturgy, Church history, scripture - with constant attention to the practical application of their knowledge in an ecclesial setting. Students undertake work in an Orthodox parish setting as part of their course. This course is especially suitable for anyone contemplating a life of Orthodox Church service in the UK or elsewhere. PROGRESSION Candidates for the Bachelor in Theology for Ministry are expected to show progression in achievement from the Qualifying Examination to the First Examination, and from the first Examination to the Second Examination. Thus candidates will be given credit for the knowledge they have of the subject matter in the Qualifying Examination, for example, but will be expected to display a critical understanding of issues as well by the time they reach the second Examination. THE BACHELOR IN THEOLOGY COURSE ASESSMENT Assessment for most papers for the BTh degree is by a combination of examination and 3,000 word essay. The Qualifying Examination (first year) is made up of 5 Full Papers and is the basis for matriculation and entry to a College of the University of Cambridge. The First and Second Examinations are taken at the end of each of the following two years and require the equivalent of 4 Full Papers to be offered by candidates. Candidates may offer a dissertation in place of any paper for the Second Examination. In addition, candidates for the Second Examination have to satisfy the examiners in Pastoral Studies by submitting a portfolio containing work from: a Church Placement; a Social Placement; and Pastoral Ministry. This pastoral studies programme is pursued throughout the course of the degree and is counted as equivalent to 2 Full Papers. Whilst it normally requires three years of full-time study, those entering with a good honours degree may apply to be exempted from the Qualifying Year.

4 THE BACHELOR IN THEOLOGY COURSE BTh/Certificate in Theology for Ministry PAPERS FOR THE BACHELOR IN THEOLOGY FOR MINISTRY (BTh) This is an indicative list of the papers for the Qualifying Examination in Theology for Ministry and for the First and Second Examinations for the degree of BTh: Introduction to Biblical Hebrew BTH01 Elementary Hebrew BTH02 Introduction to New Testament Greek BTH03 New Testament Greek BTH04 Reading the Christian Bible BTH11 Christian Doctrine BTH12 Belief and Practice in the Early Church BTH13 Reform and Renewal in Christian History BTH14 Special Subject in Christian History: Christian Culture in the Western World BTH15 Intermediate Hebrew BTH21 Intermediate Greek BTH22 Old Testament Studies BTH23 New Testament Studies BTH24 Old Testament Exegesis BTH25 New Testament Exegesis BTH26 The Study of Christian Mission BTH28 Philosophy of Religion BTH30 Church and Sacraments BTH31 Patterns of Christian Worship BTH32 Subjects specified by the Faculty Board BTH33 Special Study in Theology for Ministry BTH34 Further Studies in Christian Doctrine BTH41 Further Church History BTH42 Christian Ethics BTH44 Advanced subjects specified by the Faculty Board: Feminist Biblical Interpretation BTH45 Further Advanced Subjects specified by the Faculty Board: Advanced Ethics BTH46 Special Study in Ministry BTH47 Pastoral Portfolio (1st Exam) (Compulsory) BTH51 Pastoral Portfolio (2nd Exam) (Compulsory) BTH52

5 THE CERTIFICATE IN THEOLOGY COURSE THE CERTIFICATE IN THEOLOGY FOR MINISTRY (CTM) A candidate for the Certificate in Theology for Ministry will follow the same course of study as that offered for the Bachelor in Theology for Ministry. Candidates will be required to offer papers and written work amounting to a total of twelve credits chosen from the papers offered for the Bachelor of Theology degree, with at least one credit gained from work in an Orthodox parish setting.

6 REQUIREMENTS BTh/Certificate in Theology for Ministry ADMISSION» Applicants need to return an application form to our Academic Director obtained from the Institute s website or office.» Applicants will need to write a brief statement outlining why they wish to undertake the Bachelor of Theology for Ministry at Cambridge.» Applicants will include full transcripts of any university level work especially studies in Theology and/or Religious Studies and give details of any pastoral experience.» Applicants will submit the name and address, telephone number and address of TWO people they have asked to be referees who can talk about their academic work. Candidates must ask the referees to send references directly to the Institute. The application cannot be considered without references.» Applicants are required to complete the standard application form which can be downloaded from our website: cam.ac.uk or requested from Institute s office (for contact details see back cover)» The deadline for receiving the applications is 20 June for the October 2014 intake. ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS An English language proficiency test is required for candidates whose mother tongue is not English. The normal expectation is a score of 7 or better at IELTS or its equivalent. COURSE FEES The cost of the degree will be 9,000 to be paid in advance to the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies. It is also possible (by arrangement) to pay in three instalments. These fees are subject to review. The fee includes all tuition, supervision, and the use of libraries. The fee does not include any accommodation or meals. POSSIBILITY OF STUDENT LOANS UK applicants are advised to apply for student finance of up to 9,000 which they do not need to pay back until they leave the course and are earning over 21,000 a year in England and Wales, or over 15,795 in Scotland and Northern Ireland. For more information on how to apply for a government loan please visit the Directgov webiste at:

7 MORE THAN JUST A COURSE ORTHODOXY IN A MULTI- DENOMINATIONAL CONTEXT A full member of the Cambridge Theological Federation, IOCS interacts with the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University and offers degrees through those universities. At IOCS students study together with colleagues from other traditions in the Cambridge Theological Federation: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic and Reformed. In this diverse context IOCS students are encouraged to articulate and communicate their Orthodox faith and identity. What is an Orthodox understanding of the faith and how is it to be communicated today? How different are the concerns of the Western churches from those of the Orthodox churches? These are questions that Orthodox students face in a protective environment of dialogue and intellectual debate that will equip them to handle such issues in their home communities. RESOURCES FOR STUDY Cambridge offers access to the major libraries of the city and university, to museums, to scholars of note, and to open lectures in many subjects of interest. IOCS itself has a fine library of Orthodox material, much of it bequeathed by Orthodox scholars. Students are able to attend some of the classes and lectures within the Federation and at the Faculty of Divinity. Students may improve their language skills for subsequent research by attending courses in Greek, Latin or Hebrew. In many ways the Institute is a gateway through which one enters the range of theological education in Cambridge and the world beyond. AN ORTHODOX HOUSE IN CAMBRIDGE As an Orthodox house, the Institute is a Christian community that expects its students to participate fully in its liturgical and social life, and to attach themselves to one of the Orthodox congregations in Cambridge: St Ephraim s (Russian tradition, worshipping in English), St Athanasius and St Clement (worshiping in Greek and English) and St John the Evangelist (worshiping in Romanian and English). Students are expected to attend in-house courses on the History of the Church, Research Methods and Study Skills, and on Academic Writing in English. These courses are particularly valuable to overseas students acclimatising to a new academic environment. SPIRITUAL AND SOCIAL LIFE Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the liturgical life of the Institute (the Institute holds services on Friday evening and Saturday morning of each Study Weekend) as well as in the services and events of the Orthodox parishes and of the Orthodox Student Society in Cambridge. Students will also benefit from the spiritual guidance and advice of the Institute s Chaplain who will be regularly available for students for pastoral conversations. Students are welcome to participate and volunteer in the Institute s outreach programme, THE WAY, which aims to teach the basics of the Orthodox faith in a course taught once a week over twelve weeks, at various venues in the United Kingdom.

8 The Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies Palamas House, High Street Chesterton, Cambridge CB4 1ND United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) Photography: Dragos Herescu, Razvan Porumb, Paul Harkin