Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
and The Scriptorium Initiative Present
THE CATECHIST
THE ART OF LISTENING AND TEACHING
Envisioned by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, The Catechist is offered with his blessing and with the support and approval of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
PROGRAM VISION
A Vision for the Church’s Teaching Ministry
The vision for The Catechist was conceived by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, together with the Most Reverend Members of the Holy Eparchial Synod, in response to the growing pastoral need to prepare qualified lay catechists to assist clergy in the Church’s apostolic ministry of teaching.
That vision was developed and given academic form by the faculty of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology under the leadership of its Dean, the Rev. Dr. Eugen J. Pentiuc.
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The ministry of catechesis has always stood at the heart of the Church’s apostolic mission. Through this important initiative, Holy Cross offers faithful Orthodox Christians an opportunity to deepen their theological formation and prepare for a ministry that is both educational and pastoral.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America
Learn Deeply. Teach Faithfully. Serve Your Parish.
The Catechist unites the academic resources of Holy Cross with the practical realities of parish ministry. Participants will:
Deepen theological understanding
Study the sources, doctrines, worship, and spiritual life of the Orthodox Church in a coherent, year-long program.
Develop practical teaching skills
Learn how to listen, communicate, accompany, and teach in ways that are both educational and pastoral.
Learn from Holy Cross faculty
Engage recorded instruction, assigned readings, and live seminars led by experienced Orthodox scholars and pastors.
Prepare for parish service
Certificate Track participants complete supervised parish experience under the guidance and blessing of their parish priest.
Is The Catechist Right for You?
The program is designed for Orthodox Christians who sense a call to teach, accompany, and serve, including:
Lay Leaders and Parish Educators
Strengthen your theological foundation and gain practical tools for teaching the Orthodox Faith in your parish community.
Ministry Volunteers
Prepare to serve in religious education, youth ministry, adult formation, Bible studies, and other catechetical ministries.
Orthodox Christians Called to Teach
Discern and develop your vocation as a catechist through serious theological study, practical training, and supervised parish experience.
Clergy Spouses
Develop knowledge and skills that support the teaching and pastoral ministries of the parish.
Recent Converts
Continue your formation in the Orthodox Faith while preparing to accompany others on their journey into the Church.
Learn and Serve from Where You Are
The Catechist offers a flexible online learning experience designed for participants who are actively serving in their parishes, careers, and families. Recorded lectures and assigned readings allow participants to complete much of the coursework on their own schedules. Weekly live seminars provide opportunities to ask questions, engage instructors, discuss course material, and learn alongside Orthodox Christians from across the country.
Recorded Learning
Asynchronous lectures and assigned readings
Live Formation
Weekly one-hour online seminars
Parish Practice
Supervised practicum for Certificate Track participants
Choose the Track That Fits Your Calling
Certificate Track
For participants preparing to serve as parish catechists
$3,000 · FULL PROGRAM
- All five instructional modules
- Asynchronous lectures and assigned readings
- Weekly live seminars
- Supervised parish practicum
- Parish priest guidance and approval
- Final capstone assessment
CERTIFICATE
Enrichment Track
For personal formation or parish ministry without certification requirements
$300 · PER MODULE
- Full access to theological and catechetical instruction
- Recorded lectures and readings
- Weekly live seminars
- No practicum requirement
- No certification assessments
The Catechist Curriculum
For details, please click here.
- Divine Revelation, Holy Scripture, and Holy Tradition
- Moral theology and eschatology
- The sacramental and liturgical life of the Church
- The Christian life and Orthodox spirituality
- Catechetical pedagogy and the art of listening and teaching
The curriculum was approved by the Holy Eparchial Synod and is structured to ensure comprehensiveness, consistency, and ecclesial fidelity.
Module I: Foundations of the Orthodox Faith
Module I begins October 5, 2026. Over six weeks, participants will encounter the foundational sources of Orthodox theology and the opening articles of the Nicene Creed. Each instructional week includes recorded lectures, assigned readings, and a live online seminar with the instructor.
| Week | Dates | Topic | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 5–9 | Divine Revelation | Fr. Eugen J. Pentiuc |
| 2 | October 12–16 | Holy Scripture | Fr. Eugen J. Pentiuc |
| 3 | October 19–23 | Holy Tradition | Dr. James C. Skedros |
| 4 | October 26–30 | “I believe in one God...” | Fr. Demetrios Bathrellos |
| 5 | November 2–6 | “And in one Lord Jesus Christ...” | Fr. Philip Zymaris |
| 6 | November 9–13 | “And in the Holy Spirit...” | Fr. George Parsenios |
Weekly learning rhythm
- One hour pre-recorded lecture per week
- Assigned theological readings
- One-hour live online seminar, Thursdays, 7:30–8:30 p.m. Eastern (day and time subject to change)
- Weekly assessment work for Certificate Track participants
Why Holy Cross?
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology has a historic mission to serve the Church through excellence in theological education. The Catechist extends that mission beyond the classroom and into parish life, bringing together faculty scholarship, pastoral wisdom, and practical formation for Orthodox Christians throughout the Archdiocese and beyond.
Ecclesially grounded
Proceeds with the blessing of Archbishop Elpidophoros and the approval of the Holy Eparchial Synod.
Academically rigorous
An integrated curriculum shaped and taught by Holy Cross faculty.
Pastorally engaged
Directed toward the real work of parish teaching, accompaniment, and evangelization.
Designed for service
Readiness to transmit the Orthodox Faith with theological depth and pastoral sensitivity.
Program at a Glance
| Program | The Catechist: The Art of Listening and Teaching |
|---|---|
| Credential | Certificate Program in Orthodox Catechism |
| Institution | Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and The Scriptorium Initiative |
| Format | Fully online; asynchronous instruction plus weekly live seminars |
| Length | One academic year; five instructional modules |
| Start date | October 5, 2026 |
| Certificate requirements | Coursework, weekly assessments, supervised parish practicum, parish priest guidance and approval, and final capstone assessment |
| Enrichment option | Full instructional access without practicum or certification requirements |
| Capstone | July 2027 |
THE INAUGURAL COHORT
Answer the Call to Teach
The inaugural cohort begins October 5, 2026.
Whether you are preparing for certified parish service or seeking deeper formation for personal growth and ministry,
The Catechist offers a structured path to learn the Faith more deeply and share it more faithfully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the program fully online?
Yes. The program combines asynchronous recorded lectures and assigned readings with weekly live online seminars.
How long is the program?
The Catechist is a year-long program offered across the academic year. Both tracks share the same four theological instructional modules (I-IV), while the Certificate Track has a fifth practical module (V).
When does the inaugural cohort begin?
The first module begins October 5, 2026. The program culminates in a final capstone assessment in July 2027.
What is the schedule for the inaugural cohort?
The inaugural cohort of The Catechist will follow this schedule:
- Module I: October 5–November 13, 2026
- Module II: November 30, 2026–January 22, 2027 (no classes between December 19, 2026 and January 3, 2027)
- Module III: January 25–March 5, 2027
- Module IV: March 15–April 23, 2027
- Module V: May 3–June 11, 2027
Modules I–IV are offered to participants in both tracks. Module V is required only for Certificate Track participants. The program culminates in a final capstone assessment in July 2027.
Any changes to this schedule will be communicated to participants in advance.
Who should consider applying?
The program is intended for lay leaders, parish educators, ministry volunteers, clergy spouses, recent converts, and other Orthodox Christians called to the ministry of teaching.
What is the difference between the two tracks?
The Certificate Track includes assessment work, a supervised parish practicum, parish priest guidance and approval, and a final capstone assessment.
The Enrichment Track provides access to the program’s theological and catechetical instruction without practicum, certification requirements, and assessment work. Both tracks share the same first four theological modules, while only the Certificate Track has a fifth module.
Can participants take the modules out of sequence?
Certificate Track participants must complete the modules in sequence because the final module (V) incorporates and applies what they have learned in the first four modules. Enrichment Track participants may take the four theological modules in any order.
On what day and at what time will the weekly live seminars meet?
Generally, the weekly live seminars will be held on Thursdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The schedule may vary by module depending on instructor availability. Participants will be notified of the schedule before each module begins.
Is attendance at the live seminars required?
Participation in the weekly live seminars is required for Certificate Track participants and strongly encouraged for Enrichment Track participants.
Which books are required for the Certificate Track?
Participants in the Certificate Track will need the following books:
- Anonymous. The Way of a Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues His Way. London: SPCK, 1931.
- Athanasius of Alexandria. On the Incarnation. Translated by John Behr. Yonkers, NY: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2011.
- Chryssavgis, John, and David Bentley Hart, eds. For the Life of the World: Toward a Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church. Brookline, MA: Holy Cross Orthodox Press, 2021.
- John Chrysostom. On Marriage and Family Life. Translated by Catherine P. Roth and David Anderson. Crestwood, NY: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1986.
- Constas, Maximos. The Art of Seeing: Paradox and Perception in Orthodox Iconography. Sebastian Press, 2014.
- Cyril of Jerusalem. Lectures on the Christian Sacraments, Lectures I–IV. Crestwood, NY: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1977.
- The Orthodox Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2008.
- Pentiuc, Eugen J. The Old Testament in Eastern Orthodox Tradition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014.
- Schmemann, Alexander. For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy. Crestwood, NY: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1973.
- Ware, Kallistos. The Orthodox Church. Revised edition. London: Penguin Books, 2015.
- Ware, Kallistos. The Orthodox Way. Crestwood, NY: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1995.
What is the estimated weekly time commitment for each track?
Participants should expect a weekly time commitment of approximately 2–3 hours for the Enrichment Track and 3–5 hours for the Certificate Track.
Is enrollment in the Certificate Track limited to members of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America?
Yes. Enrollment in the Certificate Track is limited to members in good standing of a parish within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
May Orthodox Christians living outside the United States or belonging to other Orthodox jurisdictions in the United States enroll?
Yes. The Enrichment Track is open to Orthodox Christians living outside the United States, as well as those belonging to other Orthodox jurisdictions within the United States.
Are there any educational, or previous catechetical-training requirements?
Certificate Track participants must have been practicing Orthodox Christians for at least three years and must currently be active members of a parish within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. No previous formal catechetical training is required. The Enrichment Track has no minimum membership-duration or previous catechetical-training requirements.
What are the registration and approval requirements for each track?
The registration process is similar for both tracks and does not require prior approval. Participants must submit the online registration form and payment. Certificate Track applicants must also provide their parish priest’s contact information and submit a letter of endorsement from their parish priest. The Catechist team will contact applicants if any additional information is required.
What is the enrollment deadline for the cohort beginning October 5, 2026?
The enrollment deadline is Friday, October 2, 2026.
What is the cost of the program, and are installment payments available?
The Certificate Track costs $3,000 for the complete five-module program. Participants may pay in full during registration or select an installment plan. The installment plan consists of a $1,000 payment at registration, followed by two online invoice payments of $1,000 due at two-month intervals. Payments may be made online by ACH bank transfer or debit or credit card.
The Enrichment Track costs $300 per module. Participants register and pay separately for each of Modules I–IV they choose to take.
Are group discounts available when several participants enroll from the same parish?
Group discounts are not available for the first cohort. We will consider offering them for future cohorts based on our experience with the inaugural program.
Are scholarships or other forms of financial assistance available?
Scholarships and financial assistance are not available at this time. The availability of future funding will depend on the development of the program and our ability to secure additional financial support.
Do Certificate Track participants need the involvement of their parish priest?
Yes. The Certificate Track includes parish priest guidance and approval, and the supervised practicum is completed under the priest’s guidance and blessing.
What responsibilities will the supervising parish priest have?
The supervising parish priest’s role is limited to providing general guidance and supervision throughout the program. The priest will not be required to formally evaluate the participant or submit any forms or reports.
How much time will the supervising parish priest need to commit?
The supervising parish priest’s time commitment is minimal and consists primarily of providing guidance and supervision as the participant completes the practical components of the program.
How is the capstone topic selected?
The participant selects the capstone topic in consultation with the program directors. Participants may propose a topic based on work previously completed during an MDiv or MTS program or through an existing parish ministry. This collaborative process ensures that the topic reflects the participant’s interests and experience while remaining consistent with the program’s objectives.
How much time is required for the capstone?
Certificate Track participants should expect to spend up to ten hours preparing their capstone project, generally distributed across the program at approximately two hours per module.
Does the program provide academic credit?
The Catechist is a non-credit-bearing ecclesial certificate program. Completion does not provide academic credit toward the Master of Theological Studies (MTS) or other credit-bearing programs at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. The program prepares catechists to serve in parish education ministry under the supervision of their local parish priest.
Can previous Holy Cross MTS or MDiv coursework fulfill any requirements in The Catechist?
The Catechist is a standalone, non-credit-bearing program. Courses completed through the Holy Cross MTS, MDiv, or other academic programs cannot be used to waive its modules, assessments, or other requirements.
Will another cohort be offered during the next academic year?
We anticipate offering another cohort next academic year. The program’s future schedule and format will be informed by the results and participant feedback from the inaugural cohort.
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