Nikolaostheservant
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« on: August 13, 2011, 04:55:36 PM » |
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To become a Greek orthodox priest, i have found out (correct me if I'm wrong,please) you need to have a 4yr degree and then go to a seminary school for another 3-4 years, WOW ! I'm not a young-en anymore, never graduated from college. Does that mean I'm out of luck? Is there another way to become a priest? If the answer is a solid definite NO u r out of luck there is no way u can do it without a degree~~then is there another way possible i can work in the field serving god? I relay wanted to be a priest and this came about recently due to an incident that happened that brought me back to my religion from a long time away 
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TheodoraElizabeth3
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« Reply #1 on: August 13, 2011, 05:10:09 PM » |
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Nikolaos, I'm not sure where you are, but at least in North America, the norm is for a bachelor's degree (4-5 years, however long it takes) and then to seminary. I believe Holy Cross is four years for the M.Div?
It's standard practice for Orthodox priests in North America to be both university AND seminary-educated. Some bishops will allow exceptions to that standard practice - for SEMINARY at least, but it's on a case-by-case basis, and up to the discretion of the bishop, and the Holy Synod he belongs to might have to weigh in on the decision, as well.
I know someone who immigrated to the US from a Orthodoxy country in his late teens. He never took any university courses for his bachelor's degree. He is now in his early 30s, married with a family. He is going through his diocese's diaconal vocations program to become a deacon, but before he can go to seminary he has to get his bachelor's degree, per our bishop.
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TheodoraElizabeth3
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« Reply #2 on: August 13, 2011, 05:15:44 PM » |
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And there's absolutely nothing wrong with serving Christ's Church as a layman! You could chant, serve in the altar (if your parish has adult altar servers, some don't), teach the youth and/or adults, etc.
There is plenty to do in the Church! And it's wrong thinking to think the only way a man can serve the Church is as clergy!
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Asteriktos
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« Reply #3 on: August 13, 2011, 05:59:43 PM » |
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It's never too late to return to school.  Though admittedly once you hit a certain age I can see someone wondering if their time would be better spent doing something else.
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arimethea
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« Reply #4 on: August 13, 2011, 06:10:00 PM » |
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To become a Greek orthodox priest, i have found out (correct me if I'm wrong,please) you need to have a 4yr degree and then go to a seminary school for another 3-4 years, WOW ! I'm not a young-en anymore, never graduated from college. Does that mean I'm out of luck? Is there another way to become a priest? If the answer is a solid definite NO u r out of luck there is no way u can do it without a degree~~then is there another way possible i can work in the field serving god? I relay wanted to be a priest and this came about recently due to an incident that happened that brought me back to my religion from a long time away  Ultimately it is up to the bishops but, the policy of the Greek Archdiocese of North America requires the following: 1) Masters level theology degree from an Orthodox seminary 2) Knowledge of Greek 3) Passing a psychological test 4) A pending parish placement Of all the jurisdiction in America I think the process the GOARCH has is the model. The overall quality of the presbyters reflects this.
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Joseph
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« Reply #5 on: August 13, 2011, 06:14:12 PM » |
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To become a Greek orthodox priest, i have found out (correct me if I'm wrong,please) you need to have a 4yr degree and then go to a seminary school for another 3-4 years, WOW ! I'm not a young-en anymore, never graduated from college. Does that mean I'm out of luck? Is there another way to become a priest? If the answer is a solid definite NO u r out of luck there is no way u can do it without a degree~~then is there another way possible i can work in the field serving god? I relay wanted to be a priest and this came about recently due to an incident that happened that brought me back to my religion from a long time away  Ultimately it is up to the bishops but, the policy of the Greek Archdiocese of North America requires the following: 1) Masters level theology degree from an Orthodox seminary 2) Knowledge of Greek 3) Passing a psychological test 4) A pending parish placement Of all the jurisdiction in America I think the process the GOARCH has is the model. The overall quality of the presbyters reflects this. How well do priests get compensated?
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“Without music, life would be a mistake.” “The last capitalist we hang shall be the one who sold us the rope.” "Face the facts of being what you are, for that is what changes what you are." "We see at once that the words absolute, divine, eternal, and so on do not express what is implied in them.
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arimethea
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« Reply #6 on: August 13, 2011, 06:18:33 PM » |
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How well do priests get compensated?
I would say a majority of the priest in the USA are not compensated enough. I know many priest who have to hold a secular job in order to make ends meet. As for the Greek Archdiocese, you should check out this page from the Metropolis of Denver http://www.denver.goarch.org/clergy/clergy_family/clergy_compensation/
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Joseph
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« Reply #7 on: August 13, 2011, 06:28:14 PM » |
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How well do priests get compensated?
To echo what arimethea said, it will vary, sometimes even within jurisdictions. For example, the Antiochian priest that chrismated me had to have a secular job to help support his family. One of the local Antiochian priests that I know here, however, does just fine in pay (he's been a priest 30+ years and has a decent sized parish, which I suppose might play a part).
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Gamliel
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« Reply #8 on: August 13, 2011, 09:24:54 PM » |
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My priest has been around long enough that I am starting to talk to him about things. I would not if he did not have seminary training. Want to be a priest? Go to seminary.
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88Devin12
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« Reply #9 on: August 13, 2011, 10:04:27 PM » |
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To become a Greek orthodox priest, i have found out (correct me if I'm wrong,please) you need to have a 4yr degree and then go to a seminary school for another 3-4 years, WOW ! I'm not a young-en anymore, never graduated from college. Does that mean I'm out of luck? Is there another way to become a priest? If the answer is a solid definite NO u r out of luck there is no way u can do it without a degree~~then is there another way possible i can work in the field serving god? I relay wanted to be a priest and this came about recently due to an incident that happened that brought me back to my religion from a long time away  Well, one cannot become a Priest until they reach 30 years old. So seminary isn't just for the young-uns.  (so don't worry about how old you are, unless you're younger than 30)
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« Last Edit: August 13, 2011, 10:05:07 PM by 88Devin12 »
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« Reply #10 on: August 13, 2011, 10:05:56 PM » |
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Good luck with your studies if you decide to go ahead with them. If not, maybe you can be an altar server. I don't think you have to be a priest to do that.
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« Reply #11 on: August 13, 2011, 11:37:47 PM » |
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Thanks airmethea for the listing. To become a Greek orthodox priest, i have found out (correct me if I'm wrong,please) you need to have a 4yr degree and then go to a seminary school for another 3-4 years, WOW ! I'm not a young-en anymore, never graduated from college. Does that mean I'm out of luck? Is there another way to become a priest? If the answer is a solid definite NO u r out of luck there is no way u can do it without a degree~~then is there another way possible i can work in the field serving god? I relay wanted to be a priest and this came about recently due to an incident that happened that brought me back to my religion from a long time away  Ultimately it is up to the bishops but, the policy of the Greek Archdiocese of North America requires the following: 1) Masters level theology degree from an Orthodox seminary 2) Knowledge of Greek 3) Passing a psychological test 4) A pending parish placement Of all the jurisdiction in America I think the process the GOARCH has is the model. The overall quality of the presbyters reflects this. This bothers me a bit somewhat. So with all the requirments it takes to be priest, how come there isn't any to be a monk? Dumb question I'm sure.
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“Without music, life would be a mistake.” “The last capitalist we hang shall be the one who sold us the rope.” "Face the facts of being what you are, for that is what changes what you are." "We see at once that the words absolute, divine, eternal, and so on do not express what is implied in them.
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TheodoraElizabeth3
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« Reply #12 on: August 13, 2011, 11:55:40 PM » |
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This bothers me a bit somewhat. So with all the requirments it takes to be priest, how come there isn't any to be a monk?
Dumb question I'm sure.
Do you think monasteries will take just anyone? They have their requirements, too! A monk is concerned with his own salvation. A priest will answer at Judgment Day for the souls of those entrusted to his care.
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Asteriktos
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« Reply #13 on: August 14, 2011, 01:54:58 AM » |
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I am starting to talk to him about things. I would not if he did not have seminary training. Not meaning to pick on you in particular Gamliel, but... this is everything that is wrong with the "ask your priest" bs on this site. Actually, it gets at a lot that is wrong with Orthodoxy period.
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pasadi97
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« Reply #14 on: August 14, 2011, 09:29:00 AM » |
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Can you tell what happened in incident if it is not too personal? To become a Greek orthodox priest, i have found out (correct me if I'm wrong,please) you need to have a 4yr degree and then go to a seminary school for another 3-4 years, WOW ! I'm not a young-en anymore, never graduated from college. Does that mean I'm out of luck? Is there another way to become a priest? If the answer is a solid definite NO u r out of luck there is no way u can do it without a degree~~then is there another way possible i can work in the field serving god? I relay wanted to be a priest and this came about recently due to an incident that happened that brought me back to my religion from a long time away 
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IreneOlinyk
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« Reply #15 on: August 14, 2011, 10:40:06 AM » |
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To become a Greek orthodox priest, i have found out (correct me if I'm wrong,please) you need to have a 4yr degree and then go to a seminary school for another 3-4 years, WOW ! I'm not a young-en anymore, never graduated from college. Does that mean I'm out of luck? Is there another way to become a priest? I relay wanted to be a priest and this came about recently due to an incident that happened that brought me back to my religion from a long time away  Maybe it would be helpful for you & us to understand why you want to become a priest? The seminaries and education have an important role to play in preparing priests. Useful knowledge and also character assement while seminarians are living in the seminary. If you have recently returned to active participation in the church you could start by offering to get more involved: volunteer for anything available. This will help you to understand more about the church. Start reading the GOARCH web site. It is fantastic and yo will learn more about your faith. Go to any retreats or seminars or talks available. Most important: go to church reguialy , make some good Greek orthodox Christians friends in your parish and go to communion.
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mabsoota
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« Reply #16 on: August 14, 2011, 05:18:04 PM » |
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aim for the diaconate first, then take it from there. 
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serb1389
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« Reply #17 on: August 14, 2011, 05:46:03 PM » |
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To become a Greek orthodox priest, i have found out (correct me if I'm wrong,please) you need to have a 4yr degree and then go to a seminary school for another 3-4 years, WOW ! I'm not a young-en anymore, never graduated from college. Does that mean I'm out of luck? Is there another way to become a priest? I relay wanted to be a priest and this came about recently due to an incident that happened that brought me back to my religion from a long time away  Maybe it would be helpful for you & us to understand why you want to become a priest? The seminaries and education have an important role to play in preparing priests. Useful knowledge and also character assement while seminarians are living in the seminary. If you have recently returned to active participation in the church you could start by offering to get more involved: volunteer for anything available. This will help you to understand more about the church. Start reading the GOARCH web site. It is fantastic and yo will learn more about your faith. Go to any retreats or seminars or talks available. Most important: go to church reguialy , make some good Greek orthodox Christians friends in your parish and go to communion. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with serving Christ's Church as a layman! You could chant, serve in the altar (if your parish has adult altar servers, some don't), teach the youth and/or adults, etc.
There is plenty to do in the Church! And it's wrong thinking to think the only way a man can serve the Church is as clergy!
If you can put these 2 things together, that would be PERFECT, in terms of a beginning. I also wanted to add to the "list" that you also are required to learn Byzantine Music (while it is a requirement there are definitely guys who "skate by" that rec.
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I got nothing. I forgot the maps March 27th and May 30th 2010 were my Ordination dates, please forgive everything before that
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serb1389
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« Reply #18 on: August 14, 2011, 05:47:01 PM » |
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I am starting to talk to him about things. I would not if he did not have seminary training. Not meaning to pick on you in particular Gamliel, but... this is everything that is wrong with the "ask your priest" bs on this site. Actually, it gets at a lot that is wrong with Orthodoxy period. what's so wrong about it?
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I got nothing. I forgot the maps March 27th and May 30th 2010 were my Ordination dates, please forgive everything before that
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Asteriktos
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« Reply #19 on: August 14, 2011, 07:10:13 PM » |
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I am starting to talk to him about things. I would not if he did not have seminary training. Not meaning to pick on you in particular Gamliel, but... this is everything that is wrong with the "ask your priest" bs on this site. Actually, it gets at a lot that is wrong with Orthodoxy period. what's so wrong about it? Someone pm'd me about this, and this is what I said to them, which I think basically sums up what I was thinking... Likewise with priests, the specific thing that set me off was the part about how Gamliel wouldn't have gone/go to his priest if he had not gone to seminary. To me that's just silly. Don't get me wrong, I am all for priests getting an education, but just because someone didn't go to seminary that doesn't mean they're theologically or pastorally illiterate. Many saints through the centuries had fine educations, sometimes at the best schools in the known world, but other priests didn't, and a lack of education didn't make them worthless when it came to advice (one story that comes to mind is when someone asked the desert father Arsenius: "how is it that you with such a good Latin and Greek education, ask this peasant about your thoughts?" and Arsenius replied "I have indeed been taught Latin and Greek, but I do not know even the alphabet of this peasant")
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Shlomlokh
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« Reply #20 on: August 14, 2011, 07:24:33 PM » |
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My priest has been around long enough that I am starting to talk to him about things. I would not if he did not have seminary training. Want to be a priest? Go to seminary.
Many priests I know never went to seminary at all. Believe or not, I've found that some of them are far better priests than those who have gone to seminary. In Christ, Andrew
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pensateomnia
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« Reply #21 on: August 14, 2011, 07:26:39 PM » |
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To become a Greek orthodox priest, i have found out (correct me if I'm wrong,please) you need to have a 4yr degree and then go to a seminary school for another 3-4 years, WOW !
I'm not a young-en anymore, never graduated from college. Does that mean I'm out of luck?
Is there another way to become a priest? In the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, no. In Greece, yes. If you've been away from the Church for a long time, it's probably best to serve as a normal layman for several years before even considering ordination to the clergy.
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ilyazhito
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« Reply #22 on: August 14, 2011, 07:54:04 PM » |
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To become a Greek orthodox priest, i have found out (correct me if I'm wrong,please) you need to have a 4yr degree and then go to a seminary school for another 3-4 years, WOW ! I'm not a young-en anymore, never graduated from college. Does that mean I'm out of luck? Is there another way to become a priest? If the answer is a solid definite NO u r out of luck there is no way u can do it without a degree~~then is there another way possible i can work in the field serving god? I relay wanted to be a priest and this came about recently due to an incident that happened that brought me back to my religion from a long time away  Try to find a subject that interests you, or is related to our profession. As far as I heard, any Bachelor's degree counts. Just do the SPD (Special Program for the Diaconate) at Holy Cross in Brookline. You will be assigned a mentor, and be prepared for service as a deacon. This should be good preparation for you. P.S. The Church has a shortage of deacons. If you work and serve as a deacon, it will be OK  Talk to your spiritual father, he could give you better advice.
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JamesRottnek
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« Reply #23 on: August 14, 2011, 07:58:06 PM » |
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I am somewhat offended by the comment that someone wouldn't speak with their priest had he not had a seminary education. I know a very fine, upstanding, caring, and intelligent priest who does not have a seminary education. I don't think he even has a bachelor's degree, but that doesn't matter to me. He was ordained very late in life (somewhere between 60 and 70, I don't recall where). He is, without a doubt, one of the people I most respect and look up to.
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« Reply #24 on: August 14, 2011, 07:59:53 PM » |
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I totally understand. GOARCH and OCA want educated priests, hence the requirement, but there is no canonical requirement. The bishop could ordain an "uneducated" priest out of economy.
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« Reply #25 on: August 14, 2011, 08:09:33 PM » |
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This bothers me a bit somewhat. So with all the requirments it takes to be priest, how come there isn't any to be a monk?
Dumb question I'm sure.
Do you think monasteries will take just anyone? They have their requirements, too! Amen. Standard practice is to have a waiting period just to become a novice, let alone the multiple years, requirements, confessions, and solemn promises that go into the making of a no-turning-back monk.
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"The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the one who can't read them." Mark Twain --------------------- Ordained on 17 & 18-Oct 2009. Please forgive me if earlier posts are poorly worded or incorrect in any way.
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TheodoraElizabeth3
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« Reply #26 on: August 14, 2011, 10:35:18 PM » |
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The Church has a shortage of deacons. If you work and serve as a deacon, it will be OK  In my area, the Greek Archdiocese has a severe shortage of deacons! When Palm Sunday comes, the OCA deacons aren't to be found in the parishes they serve, as the Greek parishes have borrowed them all, and pay handsomely, too!
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« Reply #27 on: August 14, 2011, 11:19:45 PM » |
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The Church has a shortage of deacons. If you work and serve as a deacon, it will be OK In my area, the Greek Archdiocese has a severe shortage of deacons! When Palm Sunday comes, the OCA deacons aren't to be found in the parishes they serve, as the Greek parishes have borrowed them all, and pay handsomely, too! In the Greek Archdiocese, we've had 2-3 generations of young men who wanted to serve the Church and were never 'left' as deacons because there was too great a need for priests. Now the permanent deaconate program (fueled by men who will keep their secular jobs), in its 2nd go around, seeks to fill that void, and seems to be gaining momentum.
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"The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the one who can't read them." Mark Twain --------------------- Ordained on 17 & 18-Oct 2009. Please forgive me if earlier posts are poorly worded or incorrect in any way.
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orthonorm
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« Reply #28 on: August 14, 2011, 11:33:57 PM » |
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No deacons at my parish, although two men are studying (if that is the correct term) and God willing will be serving as deacons in our parish in about two years.
I believe a push is being made for someone to take up training to become a lay catechetical instructor as well.
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We cannot legislate morality by passing laws controlling firearms. The only evil we can combat lies within our hearts. We need stronger laws to protect the moral foundation of society against the evil of gay marriage.
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MichaelArchangelos
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« Reply #29 on: August 15, 2011, 12:28:13 AM » |
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The priest filling in for the parish priest at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral here in Wellington told us that he was not an educated man. I was very surprised to hear that. I asked about seminaries and he said that now they are setting them up in Greece. I was surprised to hear it wasn't like the Roman Catholic system.
Do seminarians live in Orthodox seminaries the way Roman Catholic seminarians do, or do they just attend classes during the day like a university? Having them live together would work with RC seminarians, who are celibate, but Orthodox seminarians would most likely have a wife and possibly children, who would probably not want to live in a seminary.
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serb1389
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« Reply #30 on: August 15, 2011, 12:45:34 AM » |
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The priest filling in for the parish priest at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral here in Wellington told us that he was not an educated man. I was very surprised to hear that. I asked about seminaries and he said that now they are setting them up in Greece. I was surprised to hear it wasn't like the Roman Catholic system.
Do seminarians live in Orthodox seminaries the way Roman Catholic seminarians do, or do they just attend classes during the day like a university? Having them live together would work with RC seminarians, who are celibate, but Orthodox seminarians would most likely have a wife and possibly children, who would probably not want to live in a seminary.
it's kind of "best of both worlds" actually. The single guys will live in a dorm, as well as young ladies who study theology. At Hellenic College/Holy Cross which is the Greek Archdiocese school, there is a whole undergrad program that young men or women can be a part of and have a "normal" college experience. there is also married student housing, for seminarians who are married. that's on a different part of campus. that's the fyi at HC/HC. each seminary kind of has its own arrangements.
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I got nothing. I forgot the maps March 27th and May 30th 2010 were my Ordination dates, please forgive everything before that
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Fr. George
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« Reply #31 on: August 15, 2011, 06:42:03 AM » |
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The priest filling in for the parish priest at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral here in Wellington told us that he was not an educated man. I was very surprised to hear that. I asked about seminaries and he said that now they are setting them up in Greece. I was surprised to hear it wasn't like the Roman Catholic system. Greece has a 3-tiered system: religious high schools, trade schools (like Community College), and Theological Schools (attached to Universities of Athens and Thessaloniki). Essentially, the system developed to account for (a) the sheer number of priests needed, and (b) that the need dictates that not every priest can receive full training. Graduates of the 1st two levels go out to serve as village priests, but do not have the blessing to preach or hear confessions; only the theological school graduates have those blessings.
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"The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the one who can't read them." Mark Twain --------------------- Ordained on 17 & 18-Oct 2009. Please forgive me if earlier posts are poorly worded or incorrect in any way.
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android
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« Reply #32 on: August 15, 2011, 07:29:30 AM » |
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I am starting to talk to him about things. I would not if he did not have seminary training. Not meaning to pick on you in particular Gamliel, but... this is everything that is wrong with the "ask your priest" bs on this site. Actually, it gets at a lot that is wrong with Orthodoxy period. what's so wrong about it? Someone pm'd me about this, and this is what I said to them, which I think basically sums up what I was thinking... Likewise with priests, the specific thing that set me off was the part about how Gamliel wouldn't have gone/go to his priest if he had not gone to seminary. To me that's just silly. Don't get me wrong, I am all for priests getting an education, but just because someone didn't go to seminary that doesn't mean they're theologically or pastorally illiterate. Many saints through the centuries had fine educations, sometimes at the best schools in the known world, but other priests didn't, and a lack of education didn't make them worthless when it came to advice (one story that comes to mind is when someone asked the desert father Arsenius: "how is it that you with such a good Latin and Greek education, ask this peasant about your thoughts?" and Arsenius replied "I have indeed been taught Latin and Greek, but I do not know even the alphabet of this peasant") What a profound critique 
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Adelphi
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« Reply #33 on: August 15, 2011, 07:37:29 AM » |
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Greece has a 3-tiered system: religious high schools, trade schools (like Community College), and Theological Schools (attached to Universities of Athens and Thessaloniki). Essentially, the system developed to account for (a) the sheer number of priests needed, and (b) that the need dictates that not every priest can receive full training. Graduates of the 1st two levels go out to serve as village priests, but do not have the blessing to preach or hear confessions; only the theological school graduates have those blessings.
Father, do village priests in Greece not hear confessions and preach? Also, if a priest has no blessing to hear confessions and absolve (not to mention give spiritual advice) how do the villagers receive the sacraments, especially in an emergency?
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Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. Prov. 23:23.
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Asteriktos
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« Reply #34 on: August 15, 2011, 08:25:51 AM » |
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I am starting to talk to him about things. I would not if he did not have seminary training. Not meaning to pick on you in particular Gamliel, but... this is everything that is wrong with the "ask your priest" bs on this site. Actually, it gets at a lot that is wrong with Orthodoxy period. what's so wrong about it? Someone pm'd me about this, and this is what I said to them, which I think basically sums up what I was thinking... Likewise with priests, the specific thing that set me off was the part about how Gamliel wouldn't have gone/go to his priest if he had not gone to seminary. To me that's just silly. Don't get me wrong, I am all for priests getting an education, but just because someone didn't go to seminary that doesn't mean they're theologically or pastorally illiterate. Many saints through the centuries had fine educations, sometimes at the best schools in the known world, but other priests didn't, and a lack of education didn't make them worthless when it came to advice (one story that comes to mind is when someone asked the desert father Arsenius: "how is it that you with such a good Latin and Greek education, ask this peasant about your thoughts?" and Arsenius replied "I have indeed been taught Latin and Greek, but I do not know even the alphabet of this peasant") What a profound critique  Well, the subject material and context clearly merited PhD dissertation level analysis, so I tried to reach that level as close as I could.
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android
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« Reply #35 on: August 15, 2011, 09:13:10 AM » |
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I am starting to talk to him about things. I would not if he did not have seminary training. Not meaning to pick on you in particular Gamliel, but... this is everything that is wrong with the "ask your priest" bs on this site. Actually, it gets at a lot that is wrong with Orthodoxy period. what's so wrong about it? Someone pm'd me about this, and this is what I said to them, which I think basically sums up what I was thinking... Likewise with priests, the specific thing that set me off was the part about how Gamliel wouldn't have gone/go to his priest if he had not gone to seminary. To me that's just silly. Don't get me wrong, I am all for priests getting an education, but just because someone didn't go to seminary that doesn't mean they're theologically or pastorally illiterate. Many saints through the centuries had fine educations, sometimes at the best schools in the known world, but other priests didn't, and a lack of education didn't make them worthless when it came to advice (one story that comes to mind is when someone asked the desert father Arsenius: "how is it that you with such a good Latin and Greek education, ask this peasant about your thoughts?" and Arsenius replied "I have indeed been taught Latin and Greek, but I do not know even the alphabet of this peasant") What a profound critique  Well, the subject material and context clearly merited PhD dissertation level analysis, so I tried to reach that level as close as I could. Your comment just doesn't make sense as a critique of this site, Orthodoxy or anything really. One person's predisposition towards who they might trust for a particlur type of advice isn't relevant nor does it indict Orthodoxy, unless I'm missing something. But in the context of a message board where people seek advice, someone saying they feel most comfortable seeking it out from a priest with certain qualifications seems reasonable, but in any event it just looks to me like you were angling for a reason to make a snarky comment. Coming from someone who has over 11k posts on this site and finds so much wrong with Orthodoxy I'm a little confused...and your sarcastic response is just more passive-aggressive than effective. To be clear, I enjoy your presence generally but the snarkniness and "hey, look at me sometimes I'm Orthodox but this week I'm not because I'm smarter than everyone again and I'm here to sit in judgment but only passively because I'm not really sure of myself and don't want to be moderated or have my posting privileges revoked because even though I'm not Orthodox I spend a ton of time here" schtick gets old. And I generally agree that an education (or lack thereof) doesn't have much relevance to whether someone is capabale of doling out spiritual wisdom, but in many circumstances it makes complete sense that someone have an education for pastoral reasons or so the person (priest) can dialogue regarding, say Orthodo/Catholic schism. So, your general point has some merit, but why it was couched as a critique of that poster, this site or Orthodoxy is a mystery.
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android
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« Reply #36 on: August 15, 2011, 09:33:24 AM » |
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and please pardon me for being a butthead, as I'm laboring under the effects of sleep deprivation at the moment as i just became a father and started a new job. forgive me.
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Fr. George
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« Reply #37 on: August 15, 2011, 11:05:21 AM » |
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and please pardon me for being a butthead, as I'm laboring under the effects of sleep deprivation at the moment as i just became a father and started a new job. forgive me. Congratulations! Many years to you and your family, in health and God's blessings.
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"The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the one who can't read them." Mark Twain --------------------- Ordained on 17 & 18-Oct 2009. Please forgive me if earlier posts are poorly worded or incorrect in any way.
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Fr. George
formerly "Cleveland"
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May the Lord bless you and keep you always!
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« Reply #38 on: August 15, 2011, 11:08:56 AM » |
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Father, do village priests in Greece not hear confessions and preach? Also, if a priest has no blessing to hear confessions and absolve (not to mention give spiritual advice) how do the villagers receive the sacraments, especially in an emergency? Those, whether in villages or in cities, who do not have the blessing of their hierarch (which is usually reserved for the theological school grads) to preach or hear confessions cannot do so. Because a great number of the Greek clergy do not have the blessing to hear confessions and preach, there is a special office of the "Ierokyrix" (or "Ierokyrikas" - Hiero-preacher), who is an itinerant priest who travels giving sermons and hearing confessions. The hierarchs are often also available to hear confessions (and they always preach, as a rule). I've heard of a case or two where dispensation is given for an otherwise not-privileged-to-hear-confession priest to hear a deathbed confession, but this seems rare.
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"The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the one who can't read them." Mark Twain --------------------- Ordained on 17 & 18-Oct 2009. Please forgive me if earlier posts are poorly worded or incorrect in any way.
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android
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« Reply #39 on: August 15, 2011, 01:36:37 PM » |
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and please pardon me for being a butthead, as I'm laboring under the effects of sleep deprivation at the moment as i just became a father and started a new job. forgive me. Congratulations! Many years to you and your family, in health and God's blessings. Thank Father!
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orthonorm
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« Reply #40 on: August 15, 2011, 03:14:24 PM » |
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and please pardon me for being a butthead, as I'm laboring under the effects of sleep deprivation at the moment as i just became a father and started a new job. forgive me. Congratulations! Many years to you and your family, in health and God's blessings. Indeed! And on one of the quickest and most genuine recoveries ever on an internet board!
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We cannot legislate morality by passing laws controlling firearms. The only evil we can combat lies within our hearts. We need stronger laws to protect the moral foundation of society against the evil of gay marriage.
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pensateomnia
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« Reply #41 on: August 15, 2011, 04:19:24 PM » |
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Try to find a subject that interests you, or is related to our profession. As far as I heard, any Bachelor's degree counts. Just do the SPD (Special Program for the Diaconate) at Holy Cross in Brookline. You will be assigned a mentor, and be prepared for service as a deacon. This should be good preparation for you. P.S. The Church has a shortage of deacons. If you work and serve as a deacon, it will be OK  Talk to your spiritual father, he could give you better advice. One must have a Bachelor's degree first before applying to the Special Program for the Diaconate.
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But for I am a man not textueel I wol noght telle of textes neuer a deel. (Chaucer, The Manciple's Tale, 1.131)
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TheodoraElizabeth3
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« Reply #42 on: August 15, 2011, 07:04:09 PM » |
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Try to find a subject that interests you, or is related to our profession. As far as I heard, any Bachelor's degree counts. Just do the SPD (Special Program for the Diaconate) at Holy Cross in Brookline. You will be assigned a mentor, and be prepared for service as a deacon. This should be good preparation for you. P.S. The Church has a shortage of deacons. If you work and serve as a deacon, it will be OK  Talk to your spiritual father, he could give you better advice. One must have a Bachelor's degree first before applying to the Special Program for the Diaconate. Here is the link to the requirements for the SPD at Holy Cross: http://www.hchc.edu/holycross/academics/spd.html
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BoredMeeting
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« Reply #43 on: August 17, 2011, 03:52:40 PM » |
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Many universities give credit for life experience and learning. Even if you haven't gone to college before, it's worth investigating to see if you can qualify for such credits. A degree may be closer than you think.
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katherineofdixie
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« Reply #44 on: August 18, 2011, 09:59:51 AM » |
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A friend of mine went through the St. Tikhon's dual degree program and became a priest. "The 5-Year Dual Degree B.A. (Theology) / M.Div. Program is an attractive alternative to the traditional B.A. – M.Div. curriculum, designed for students at two or four-year liberal arts colleges or universities who have completed, or are completing their core liberal arts distribution requirements, and who want to enter a program of professional theological studies at St. Tikhon’s Seminary. The dual-degree program provides opportunities for students to explore and integrate complementary interests in the liberal arts and priestly formation, and offer a unique perspective on understanding the multiple ways in which religions, societies and people interact in the sphere of theology. The B.A./M.A. dual degree is a five-year integrated program. Students accepted will spend their first two years taking specified common courses in the Master of Divinity program and completing their baccalaureate requirements while obtaining a solid foundation in pre-theology studies. These students will then spend the third, fourth and fifth program years completing M. Div. requirements, including a summer internship between the fourth and fifth program years." http://stots.edu/dual_degree.html
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"If but ten of us lead a holy life, we shall kindle a fire which shall light up the entire city."
St. John Chrysostom
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