This program equips men and women for vocational service in the Orthodox Church.
Academic Dean: Anne-Christine Lindvall, anne-christine.lindvall@ehs.se
Director of Studies: Johan Andersson, johan.andersson@ehs.se
Cost of study: Tuition fee at EHS, Sankt Ignatios Folkhögskola fee
Length: 4 years (full-time) 180 ECTS credits
Type of instruction: On-campus learning
Study Pace: Full-time
Teaching Hours: Daytime, certain weekends and evenings
Language of Instruction: English
Location: Södertälje and Bromma, Stockholm
How to apply? Apply through www.universityadmissions.se or www.antagning.se (from March 15)
Why study the Pastoral Pedagogical Program?
Sankt Ignatios offers a unique combination of courses which meet the demands of those wishing to prepare to serve as priests, deacons and in other vocational offices in the Orthodox Church.
In collaboration with Stockholm School of Theology (University College Stockholm) Sankt Ignatios College offers its students an undergraduate academic program of the highest quality in the department of Eastern Christian Studies of Stockholm School of Theology. Students are able to combine their academic studies there with practical and Church tradition based courses from the Sankt Ignatios Folkhögskola professional program, and are thus able to combine practice and theory, and integrate their own church traditions with the wider Christian and Orthodox perspective. In this way they are well prepared to lead their parishes and engage in dialogue with other communities.
Students in the program are taught using two different pedagogical methods: that of the Swedish folhögskola and that of the university. By utilizing both methods, students in the Pastoral Pedagogical Program receive an education that is both academically rigorous and focusing on the pastoral formation of the individual student. This combination of folkhögskola and university studies is unique in the world of Orthodox vocational education.
All church-based training, such as instruction in their specific church’sliturgy, music, prayers and church-specific studies is conducted in Sankt Ignatios Folkhögskola and provided by the seminary to which the student belongs. All students on the program belong to a seminary representing their Orthodox tradition where the students are taught by experienced and skilled teachers and practitioners, most of whom are themselves priests and church leaders of many years standing.
Upon enrolment in Sankt Ignatios College, students are automatically registered at both Stockholm School of Theology (University College Stockholm) and at Sankt Ignatios Folkhögskola. Each of our students also belongs to a seminary where they live and study together with other students and where they can relate their studies to their own tradition. Sankt Ignatios College has four seminaries: Sankt Ignatios Byzantine Orthodox Seminary, Sankt Ignatios Coptic Orthodox Seminary, Sankt Ignatios Eritrean Tewahedo Orthodox Seminary, Sankt Ignatios Ethiopian Tewahedo Orthodox Seminary and Sankt Ignatios Syriac Orthodox Seminary. Each seminary has its own rector, who is either a bishop or priest. Some courses are taught in common with students from other seminaries, usually at our campus in Södertälje, while some courses are specific to a particular Orthodox tradition and are taught within the seminaries. Most academic courses are taught in common with other students at Stockholm School of Theology (University College Stockholm).
Their academic studies are taught by Sankt Ignatios College, Stockholm School of Theology (Department of Eastern Christian Studies), and are directed by world-class scholars and teachers who provide education in biblical studies, Church history, theology, patristics, liturgy, and related courses, providing a rich and stimulating education in the riches of the Eastern Christian traditions.
Program objectives
A successful graduate of the Pastoral Pedagogical Program will be able to demonstrate the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary for the purpose of working independently as a priest, deacon, deaconess, or educator in the Orthodox churches.
Program outcomes
On completion of the program, graduates will be able to employ their church’s tradition in the service of the gospel in the contemporary world. They will be able to read and expound the apostolic scriptures, think theologically, understand current debates about moral, philosophical and ecumenical issues, treat people pastorally with understanding and sensitivity, and take positions of leadership and responsibility in the wider church.
Structure of the program
Students study for a Bachelor of Theology (BTh) degree, while also studying courses related to their own church traditions and liturgies in their seminaries and Sankt Ignatios Folkhögskola.
Program Requirements
The applicant must have completed their upper secondary (high school) education. Applicants must also be able to demonstrate the necessary proficiency in English. The entry requirement for studies at the bachelor’s level in Sweden is equivalent to the English 6 course at Swedish upper secondary school. Students from outside Sweden, or students who cannot verify proficiency in English, are required to take an internationally recognized test (e. g., TOEFL, IELTS or equivalent). More information about the required score on internationally recognized English tests can be found at English language requirements (universityadmissions.se); see section Meeting the English requirements with an English test.
For more information please see: Entry requirements (universityadmissions.se)
Cost of study
The program is tuition-free for citizens of Sweden, citizens of an EU / EEA country or of Switzerland who hold a valid Swedish residence permit. Students coming from countries other than those listed above are required to pay tuition fees. See Fees&Finance
As a new student at EHS, you automatically become a member of SEHS – the Student Union at Enskilda Högskolan Stockholm. Membership is free. If you want to leave the union, you can write an email to sehs@ehs.se and we will cancel your membership. Read more about the student union’s work: Membership in the Student Union.
Career prospects
Graduates of the Pastoral Pedagogical Program receive a Pastoral/Pedagogical diploma. This is the requirement for the ministry as a priest, and also equips students with the pedagogical skills needed to become Sunday School teachers or to take up certain other teaching positions.
Ordination
Please note that acceptance to, and completion of a seminary program does not constitute a guarantee of ordination in any Church. Only ecclesiastical authorities have the power to decide if a person should be ordained.