Asynchronous
Students learn on their own time. Assignments have due dates, but there are no set class times or days. Learning is through modules organized into weekly activities and assignments.
Synchronous
All students, both those living on our Brookline campus and those attending off campus or out of state, attend classes online. However, classes are held at certain times and days of the week.
Hybrid
Students on our Brookline campus attend classes in person in one of our classrooms, while remote students attend online. Classes are held at certain times and days of the week.
CHST 5022 Z1 | Spring 2025
Church History II: Ecumenical Patriarchate
Asynchronous
This course is designed to introduce students to the institutions, personalities, and religious and theological expressions of Church life from the medieval period to the present. Special attention will be given to the history and role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Instructor
Dr. James Skedros
CHST 6051 Z1 | Spring 2025
Dogmatics II
Asynchronous
The doctrines of Christology, Pneumatology, and Ecclesiology, emphasizing the conciliar Patristic Tradition. Emphasis will be placed on certain patristic writings and on the official statements of the Ecumenical Councils.
Instructor
Fr. Demetrios Bathrellos
INDS 6015 Z1 | Spring 2025
The Soul and the Soil: Orthodoxy and Environment
Synchronous | TBD
The climate crisis is the most urgent challenge facing humanity. How does Orthodox Christianity respond? This course provides an opportunity for students to become acquainted with the past, present, and future of the Orthodox Church’s commitment to creation care in an ecumenical context. Beginning with a survey of the current situation regarding the climate crisis, followed by a description of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s pioneering contribution, the course will explore further initiatives and practices in local Orthodox churches around the world, as well as examine relevant synodal decisions, encyclicals, and other official documents. In addition, the work and practice of contemporary Orthodox thinkers and saints will be highlighted through their writings and lives.
Instructor
Dr. Nikolaos Asproulis
INDS 7115 Z1 | Spring 2025
The Ecumenical Movement — The Visionaries
Synchronous | M 6:30-8:50pm EST
Who are the influential personalities and leaders behind the ecumenical movement? In this new course offered by the Huffington Ecumenical Institute at Hellenic College Holy Cross, we will explore the lives and contributions of key figures who through over a century have shaped and advanced the cause of Christian unity across denominational boundaries. From early pioneers to modern-day leaders like Pope Paul VI, Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu among many others, this course will examine the diverse array of individuals, clergy and laity alike, who have played pivotal roles in fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and cooperation among different Christian traditions. Through in-depth study and analysis of their writings, speeches, and actions, we will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and dynamics of the ecumenical movement, and how these personalities have left an indelible mark on its history and trajectory.
Instructor
Dr. Nikolas Kazarian
LITG 5002 Z1 | Spring 2025
Liturgics
Asynchronous
This course will explore the structures, content, theology, and ethos of the Church's liturgical life. It will also provide a brief but inclusive glimpse of the historical evolution of the liturgical rites. Furthermore, the Liturgy will be studied from pastoral, spiritual, and theological perspectives. The course seeks to provide the student with basic theological criteria for the comprehension of the whole liturgical tradition of the Church.
Instructor
Fr. Philip Zymaris
MDGK 1212 Z1 | Spring 2025
Beginning Modern Greek II
Synchronous | TBD
A growing emphasis on reading, vocabulary building and writing as well as an extensive use of oral sills acquired in the first semester. Lab required. Prereq: Beginning Modern Greek 1.
Instructor
Dr. Maria Kouti
MDGK 3412 Z1 | Spring 2025
Intermediate Modern Greek II
Synchronous | T & Thu 6:30-7:50pm
This class is a continuation of Intermediate Modern Greek I with further review of grammar and syntax and also a growing emphasis on speaking, reading, and vocabulary building, together with an introduction to selected readings in Modern Greek. Required lab. Prereq: Intermediate Modern Greek I.
Instructor
Selim Earls
MUSB 5002 Z1 | Spring 2025
Ecclesiastical Chant
Synchronous | W 1:40-3:20pm EST
The eight tones are studied. Hymns from various services, including Vespers and the Divine Liturgy are chanted in English. Prereq: Byzantine Music I and II.
Instructor
Georgios Theodoridis
MUSB 5002 Z1 | Spring 2025
Advanced Chant in English
Synchronous | W 3:30-4:50pm EST
This course is a study of the standard hymns (Lord I have Cried, daily Prokeimena, God is the Lord, Great Doxology, Antiphons, Trisagion, etc.) of vespers, orthros, divine liturgy, and the sacraments for practical use. All of the hymns will be studied in English in all of the eight modes with the aid of various musical settings.
Instructor
Georgios Theodoridis
NEWT 5111 | Spring 2025
The Gospel of Matthew
Asynchronous
This course provides students with skills to interpret the Scriptures through a balanced approach, integrating a historical, patristic, liturgical, and iconographical contexts. Students will study the Gospel of Matthew to better understand its historical setting, and will exegete select passages from it. The aim of the course is to equip each student with the practical skills to interpret the Holy Scriptures for teaching, preaching, and personal spiritual formation. The Method of Instruction will include lectures and discussion on each section of Matthew. In parallel, students will dive deeply into the exegesis select passages. Students will have regular opportunities to practice specific skills. This class satisfies the MDiv requirement for NT exegesis. Remote students may enroll.
Instructor
Dr. Bruce Beck
OLDT 7301 Z1 | Spring 2025
Christ in the Old Testament
Asynchronous
Christ’s birth, life, crucifixion, and glorious resurrection were all prophesied centuries earlier in Old Testament times. This course aims to reconstruct the prehistory of Christ or the Old Testament messianism as it unfolds in the Pentateuch, Psalms and Prophets. Selected messianic texts will be interpreted in the light of patristic traditions with references to modern scholarship as well. Satisfies OT Exegesis.
Instructor
Fr. Eugen Pentiuc
PAST 6022 H1 | Spring 2025
Theology of Pastoral Care II
Hybrid | MW 9:10-10:30pm EST
Theology of Pastoral Care II is intended to build upon Theology of Pastoral Care I by presenting a framework for understanding contemporary pastoral issues through the lens of Orthodox theology of the person, sickness, healing, and salvation. This class is not intended to provide you with the 'right' answers for pastoral decisions. Rather, this course is designed, through the readings, class discussions, and assignments to develop your understanding of Orthodox pastoral care and your thinking as an Orthodox Christian and future minister/pastor. The models of Orthodox Pastors/Saints explored in the first semester class serve as witnesses to the Orthodox pastoral care framework we will develop and discuss this semester as we explore contemporary pastoral issues, and secular theories and research. Particular attention will be placed on understanding how to access and integrate current secular knowledge into an Orthodox worldview todevelop an appropriate pastoral response. Students will be invited to explore and discuss different dimensions of the pastoral care relationship and explore, independently and as a class, how one might address contemporary pastoral care issues. As in the first semester, particular emphasis will be placed on how we work together in the classroom, and on campus, as we develop an Orthodox understanding and approach to pastoral care.
Instructor
Dr. Philip Mamalakis
PAST 6052 H1 | Spring 2025
Marriage and Family
Hybrid | TBD
The course will examine the Orthodox theological understanding of marriage and family. It will include a focus on the characteristics of both healthy and unhealthy relationships. Issues which negatively affect marital and family relationships, such as addictions, as well as psychological, verbal, physical, and sexual abuse, will be examined. Attention will also be given to clergy marriages and the issue of clerical "burnout." The role of the pastoral caregiver in ministering to marriages and families will be emphasized.
Instructor
Dr. Philip Mamalakis
PAST 7015 H1 | Spring 2025
Pastoral Counseling: Theory & Practice
Hybrid | MW 6:30-8:50pm
Listening is at the heart of pastoral counseling. Yet what the pastor/minister hears is shaped by his or her theoreti cal orientation, belief system, worldview, and lived exper ience. This course seeks to give students the opportunity to study different pastoral counseling theories as they go beyond the limits of their own stories in the context of practicing foundational counseling skills.
Instructor
Dr. Philip Mamalakis
PATR 6011 Z1 | Spring 2025
Patrology II
Synchronous | W 2:10-4:30pm EST
This course is a general introduction to the Fathers and the main periods of Patristic Literature from the fifth century to the iconoclasm controversy in the ninth century. Like the companion course (PATR 5011), this course focuses on the doctrinal issues while also exploring the literary, historical, and cultural context of the period.
Instructor
Fr. Bogdan Bucur
