The Certificate Course is a one-year practical course that gives a comprehensive oversight of the history, worship, doctrine and practice of the Church, including an introduction to Holy Scripture. As a requirement for admission to the course, students will need to have a good grasp of the English language and hold a minimum of GCSE or equivalent educational qualification. Assessment comprises one 2500 word essay, several short multi-media presentations with (500 word maximum) seminar papers, and student contributions to the discussion in the sessions.
WHAT’S HAPPENING? 2nd.SATURDAY of Each Month (N.B.April adjustment for Pascha): 9.30-4.15: 2025-6
OCTOBER 11th, 2025. All Students attend in Person. Coffee & Induction;Lectures are Study Skills; The Liturgical Books of the Church; The Mysteries; Irenaus & Recapitulation.
NOVEMBER 8th, 2025. The Function of the Church in the Modern World; The Septuagint: The Church as a Worshipping Community; The Nicene Faith; Creation.
DECEMBER 13th, 2025. Ethical Issues; Baptism: Service & Theology; The Spiritual Life; From the Resurrection to Constantine the Great; Orthodox Church Building (Student Seminar 1).
JANUARY 10th, 2026. Heresy & Schism in the Early Church; The Incarnation – the Person of Christ; Church Canons I, Introduction; What is Holy Scripture?; The Problem of Iconoclasm.
FEBRUARY 14th, 2026. Nestorianism & Monophysitism; The Shape of Old Testament History; The Divine Services – the Liturgy; The Theology of the Liturgy; The Fall (Student Seminar).
MARCH 14th, 2026. Interpreting Scripture – Typology; Church Canons II (Student Seminar 3); The expansion of Christianity outside the Roman Empire; Church History in Britain & Ireland to 1066; Background to the New Testament.
APRIL 18th, 2026 (3rd Saturday, Bright Week). Icons, their Development & Theology; The Great Schism / Gregory Palamas; The Epistle to the Hebrews; Significant Themes; The Liturgical Year.
MAY 9th, 2026. Passion Narratives in the Four Gospels; Sacrifice – Propitiation, Atonement & Communion; The Synoptic gospels; St.John’s Gospel; St. Paul’s Epistles.
JUNE 13th, 2026. Fall of the Empire / The Turkish Yoke; The Holy Trinity; Russia, the influence of the West; The Daily Offices (Student Seminar 4); Church Canons III – Reception into the Church.
JULY 11th, 2026. All Students attend in Person. The Catholic Epistles; Salvation & Theosis; The Orthodox Church in the British Isles & Europe; The New Testament – How it is Used in Services; End of Year Review.
