The rating of church educational institutions has been compiled. Which theological school was in first place, what is the secret of their success and what will happen to the seminaries that are in the lower positions of the ranking, says the first deputy chairman of the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church, Archpriest Maxim Kozlov .
The idea of rating church educational institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church arose in the second half of 2012 - early 2013, when a virtually simultaneous inspection of all theological seminaries and academies on the territory of the Russian Federation was carried out over four months.
Today, the ranking of church educational institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church includes 35 seminaries and 2 academies. All 37 educational institutions correspond to the bachelor's level, while 29 out of 37 have preparatory departments, and 10 have educational programs at the master's level. There are 2 postgraduate schools, 19 regency departments and 8 icon painting departments at 37 educational institutions.
There are 9.5 thousand students studying in church educational institutions, of which there are more than 7 thousand students at the bachelor’s level, about 1 thousand students at the master’s level, more than 500 people in the regency departments, and more than 250 people in the icon painting departments.
The rating takes into account various parameters of the life of theological schools. The Educational Committee gets acquainted with some of them on the basis of self-examination sheets - documentation that is sent by educational institutions to the Academic Committee at certain intervals on a regular or extraordinary basis upon request. Other parameters are monitored during scheduled inspections - on average, each educational institution will be visited by an inspection from the Education Committee once every three years.
The main parameters that are taken into account in the rating:
- regulatory support, that is, the availability of all necessary documentation - license, state certificate, etc.;
- material support, that is, parameters for the number of classrooms, the quality of equipment in classrooms, living conditions for students - food, gyms, etc.;
- quality and learning outcomes.
Also, when compiling the rating, the following are taken into account:
- test results of final year students to check the result of knowledge during the inspection;
- availability of additional programs at the educational institution;
- indicators of educational work, the work of the institute of individual mentors;
- degree of communication between students and administration;
- information and library support;
- faculty;
- educational and methodological support;
- research activities - the presence of a website, a collection of teaching works, holding conferences, cooperation with secular universities.
All these factors correspond to a certain kind of coefficients and are compared with paper data and data from remote monitoring of the defense of qualifying works and final exams, which was introduced last year.
Rating: alarm bell
– Father Maxim, can we say that the rating is primarily a purely bureaucratic criterion?
- No, the rating is a criterion that shows a certain kind of dynamics in the development of a church educational institution - up, down, stability. If the rating of an educational institution has changed by one or two places in relation to the original parameters, that’s one thing, but if by ten, that’s already an important change. And it’s good if it’s ten up. Therefore, the rating is a certain kind of warning system. Either a wake-up call or confirmation that the educational institution is doing everything correctly.
Archpriest Maxim Kozlov
– Who are the leaders of spiritual education today according to the rating?
– Although we do not publish the rating, which is our working document, for everyone’s information, I think it would be permissible to report that the St. Petersburg Orthodox Theological Academy is in first place in the rating.
In general, church educational institutions that are historically central - SPbPDA and MDA - are traditionally in the top. Also at the top of the ranking are seminaries that already have state accreditation - these are Smolensk, Saratov and Penza. There are also seminaries that have master’s degrees: Sretenskaya, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, etc. And also consistently strong seminaries, with a well-formed teaching corps and an attentive archpastoral attitude. This is, for example, the Kolomna Seminary, where, among other things, there is an excellent material base and the best seminary building today, recently built on the territory of the Holy Trinity Novo-Golutvin Monastery, which is ideally suited for the educational process and student accommodation.
The second group is seminaries that show stable indicators, but have certain shortcomings.
The third group are seminaries with more significant shortcomings that are under control.
The fourth rating group is the lowest. There are seminaries here, which today do not indicate confirmation of the status of a higher educational institution. I will not name these seminaries, but they are aware of their situation and the decision of the Synod of July 2013 to give them three years to correct the situation. If the level is not raised, then these seminaries may be transformed into educational institutions of a different profile. For example, to one of the centers for training parish specialists.
As I have already indicated, the publication of the ranking is not intended by the nature of the document, but with the blessing of His Holiness the Patriarch, the interim document has already been sent to the rectors of theological educational institutions, and everyone locally already knows where they stand.
– Why do we need training centers for parish specialists?
– Today there are more than 15 such centers. They have four profiles: youth, missionary, social and catechetical. An interdepartmental commission under the Educational Committee evaluates the organization of these centers and grants them the right to issue students with a church-wide document upon completion of training. The demand for this kind of personnel in parishes is great, and so far only a small part of the potential is being used - so this area of church education will develop intensively.
It will be possible to increase the number of such centers at the expense of theological schools that are ending their historical existence. An example is the Chita Theological School, which is now in the process of being transformed into a Center for the Training of Parish Specialists. But the Vologda Seminary, on the contrary, after the decision of the Synod in 2013, increased its status and is developing very dynamically through the efforts of the rector, the Vologda Metropolitan.
Regulatory and legal framework of religious education in Russia
1. The state education system is secular in nature (Article 2 of the Law of the Russian Federation “On Education”) and religious education in a state school is allowed in the following forms:
a) teaching religious studies, religious philosophy and religious educational disciplines within the framework of an additional educational program (Letter of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation “On the secular nature of education in state educational institutions of the Russian Federation” N 47/20-11p dated March 19, 1993);
b) teaching ethno-confessional courses in public schools with an ethnocultural (national) component of education in Moscow (Regulations on an educational school with an ethnocultural (national) component of education in Moscow dated November 19, 1997 N 65);
c) teaching religion during extracurricular hours as part of an elective course (clause 4 of article 5 of the Law “On Freedom of Conscience”).
2. The creation and activity of religious organizations is prohibited in state and municipal educational institutions (clause 5 of Article 1 of the Law “On Education”). In this regard, state and municipal educational institutions are not included in the list of those organizations on whose territory religious rites and ceremonies are allowed (Clause 3 of Article 16 of the Law “On Freedom of Conscience”).
The term “religious education” is included in the current Federal Law “On Freedom of Conscience”. It is included in the title of the article. 5 of the Federal Law, and the content of the article covers the right of religious organizations to create their own educational institutions and, in addition, teach the faith to students in state and municipal schools.
According to paragraph 1 of Art. 5 of the Law “On Freedom of Conscience”, everyone has the right to receive religious education of their choice, individually or together with others. The right to religious education enshrined in the above article is specified in Art. 3, 16, 19 of the same Law.
In addition to the Law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations,” religious education in the Russian Federation is regulated by the following normative and internal church acts:
-Regulation “On parochial Sunday schools”, approved. By decree of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II dated July 7, 1999. N 3786
-Regulation “On Orthodox educational institutions of basic general and additional education”, approved. Board of Directors of Orthodox educational institutions of basic general and additional education under the Department of Religious Education and Catechesis of the Moscow Patriarchate
-Regulations on an educational school with an ethnocultural (national) component of education in Moscow No. 65, approved. Decree of the Moscow Government N653 of 08/19/97.
-Information letters of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation dated March 19, 1993; 05/15/95; 06/04/99.
-Recommendations “On the procedure for organizing the teaching of Orthodoxy to students of state and municipal educational institutions,” approved. Letter from Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II dated 9.12.99. N 5925;
-Regulations on the diocesan department of religious education and catechesis of the Moscow Patriarchate.
Forms of religious education in state and municipal educational institutions (commentary by a lawyer).
For the first time, the right to operate religious organizations in a public school was enshrined in Art. 9 of the RSFSR Law “On Freedom of Religion”, according to which “the teaching of religious doctrines, as well as religious education, can be carried out optionally at the request of citizens by representatives of religious associations in any preschool and educational institutions and organizations.” According to the law, the teaching of religious studies, religious philosophy and religious educational disciplines, which are not accompanied by religious rituals and are of an informative nature, may be included in the curriculum of state educational institutions. In pursuance of the above article of the Law, which has now lost its force, the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation sent two information letters to the education authorities, namely Letter “On the secular nature of education in state educational institutions of the Russian Federation” No. 47/20-11p dated March 19. 93. and Letter to educational authorities N 230/35-15 dated 05.15.97. These letters regulate the issues of teaching religious studies, religious education and religious philosophy in state and municipal schools. It is characteristic that the current Law “On Freedom of Conscience” does not say a word about the teaching of religious studies. Thus, a paradoxical situation has now arisen when information letters from the Ministry of Education, without having a legal basis, retain legal force and significance.
The Law “On Freedom of Conscience” regulates in sufficient detail the procedure for teaching schoolchildren a specific religious doctrine, in particular Orthodoxy. This procedure is also regulated by the Information Letter of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation “On providing religious organizations with the opportunity to teach children religion outside the framework of educational programs on the premises of state and municipal educational institutions” N 19-53-28Iin/14-04 dated 06/04/99. (hereinafter referred to as Information Letter). Currently, the Information Letter has been sent to educational institutions subordinate to the Ministry of Education and to state education authorities. At the church level, the issue of teaching children Orthodoxy is regulated by the Letter of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II dated 9.12.99. N 5925, containing recommendations on the organization of teaching Orthodoxy to students of state and municipal educational institutions (hereinafter referred to as the Recommendations).
In paragraph 4 of Art. 5 of the Law “On Freedom of Conscience” establishes the following procedure for resolving the issue of religious education in state and municipal educational institutions: “At the request of parents or persons replacing them, with the consent of children studying in state and municipal educational institutions, the administration of these institutions, in agreement with the relevant local government body provides a religious organization with the opportunity to teach children religion outside the framework of the educational program.”
As we see, according to the law, teaching religion, in particular Orthodoxy, can only be taught to minors in state and municipal educational institutions. In this regard, electives on the Law of God or other Orthodox religious subjects are unacceptable for adults, including students of state and municipal universities who have reached the age of 18.
It should be emphasized that, according to the Information Letter, training in Orthodoxy can be organized in state and municipal educational institutions of general, primary, secondary and higher vocational education. Preschool educational institutions are excluded from the above list. However, the absence of these institutions on the list does not mean a ban on teaching religion to their students. The fact is that in Russian legislation there is a principle: “everything is permitted that is not directly prohibited by law.” Thus, since neither the Law “On Freedom of Conscience” nor the Information Letter contains a ban on teaching religion to pupils of state (municipal) preschool educational institutions, such training is possible.
The first step towards an elective course in Orthodoxy in state and municipal schools is the achievement of mutual agreement between students and their parents (persons replacing them). Such consent is mandatory for students under 14 years of age. In the same case, if students have reached the age of fourteen, they, according to paragraph 5 of Art. 3 of the Law “On Freedom of Conscience”, they independently decide the issue of their attitude towards religion and have the right not to coordinate with their parents (persons replacing them) their desire to receive a religious education.
The request of parents (persons replacing them) to provide a specific religious organization with the opportunity to teach a child Orthodoxy is formalized by an application addressed to the administration of the educational institution. The consent of children under the age of 14 to study Orthodoxy is indicated by their parents (persons replacing them) in the same application. Minors over the age of 14 record their attitude towards teaching religion in an independent application addressed to the administration of the educational institution.
As for the request of a specific religious organization to provide it with the opportunity to teach children the Orthodox faith in a given educational institution, it is formalized by a special letter from the head of the religious organization (rector, viceroy, chairman of the Orthodox brotherhood, etc.) addressed to the administration of the educational institution. The law emphasizes that in this case only a religious association that is registered as a legal entity can engage in teaching religion. Organizations that do not have the status of a legal entity (for example, religious groups) or that do not belong to the category of religious organizations (in particular, public associations) do not have the right to provide religious education in state and municipal educational institutions. In addition, in accordance with the Information Letter, the right to teach religion to children in the mentioned educational institutions cannot be enjoyed by those religious organizations that have the rights of a legal entity on the terms of their annual re-registration, which, according to paragraph 3 of Art. 27 of the Federal Law “On Freedom of Conscience”, is formalized by issuing a temporary certificate of state registration. The above provision of the letter is quite important, since it protects state and municipal educational institutions from so-called “sects”, the legal definition of which, unfortunately, is absent in the law. Indeed, by virtue of the Information Letter, most sects do not have access to public schools for the following reasons:
Firstly, some sects, while not being religious associations, exist as religious groups that do not have the status of a legal entity (in particular, the Catacombs, Initiative Baptists). Secondly, a number of sects are registered as non-religious non-profit organizations. These sects include the “Virgin Center”, the Korean Muna sect, etc. And, finally, individual “sects”, having managed to register as religious organizations under the previous legislation, currently have the rights of a legal entity under the conditions of annual re-registration. This, as we know, is the status of Jehovah's Witnesses, who appealed to the Constitutional Court with a demand to revise the unlawful, from their point of view, provision on the annual re-registration of those religious organizations that, although registered as such, do not have a 15-year period of existence on the territory of the Russian Federation .
In order for the administration of an educational institution to verify that the applicant has the legal right to teach religion to children, the head of the religious organization is obliged to attach to his letter (petition) a copy of the charter and certificate of state registration of the religious organization. The Information Letter emphasizes that religious organizations may be allowed to teach religion to children in state and municipal educational institutions only if such activities are provided for in their charters. As for Orthodox religious organizations - dioceses, monasteries and parishes, the Model Charters developed by the Moscow Patriarchate contain a special clause on the right of the mentioned organizations to teach Orthodoxy to everyone. So, for example, clause 14 of the Model Charter of the parish states that the parish, in order to spread the Orthodox faith, as well as to take care of religious and moral education, carries out religious education, training and upbringing. Thus, the charters of those Orthodox religious organizations that, during the re-registration process, brought their charters into compliance with the Model Charters developed by the Moscow Patriarchate, make it possible to teach Orthodoxy to students of state and municipal educational institutions.
The decision to organize an elective on religion in an educational institution is made by the administration of the institution in agreement with the public self-government body functioning there (school council, board of trustees, general meeting of the school, pedagogical council, etc.). The composition and powers of this body are determined in the charter of the educational institution. The decision made by the educational institution must also be agreed upon with local government bodies, which, according to the regulations on local government in force in a given locality, may include the city duma, zemstvo government, council of representatives, mayor's office and other bodies
The Information Letter does not indicate the grounds for the refusal of the administration of the educational institution and local government to provide a religious organization with the opportunity to teach children Orthodoxy. Meanwhile, section A. of the Information Letter provides that the conditions for the implementation of religious teaching programs must meet state and municipal requirements in terms of building codes and regulations, sanitary and hygienic standards, health protection of students and employees of the educational institution, equipment of educational premises, equipment of the educational process and educational qualifications of personnel of a religious organization involved in teaching children religion. In our opinion, failure to comply with the above requirements may serve as grounds for refusing a religious organization’s request to teach children Orthodoxy. If the administration of an educational institution does not allow the conduct of classes on Orthodoxy, applicants, including the head of a religious organization, have the right to demand a written refusal from it, indicating the reasons. The administration’s refusal can be appealed to the local government body or to the court. According to the Recommendations, in order to resolve disagreements that have arisen between an educational institution and a religious organization in state educational authorities, namely in the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation (in Moscow - in the Moscow Committee of Education), a copy of the written refusal of the administration of the educational institution should be sent to the Synodal Department of Religious Education and Catechesis Moscow Patriarchate, whose representatives are part of the Coordination Council for interaction between the Ministry of Education and the Russian Orthodox Church operating under the Ministry of Education.
In the event of a positive decision on the issue of teaching Orthodoxy to students of a particular state or municipal educational institution, the administration of this institution and the religious organization enter into an agreement with each other, which should determine the conditions and mode of conducting classes, the rights and obligations of the person organizing these classes (hereinafter referred to as the teacher), the conditions and the procedure for providing premises for classes. In this case, the parties must be guided by the following:
1. In the Information Letter, providing a religious organization with the opportunity to teach Orthodoxy to students of state and municipal educational institutions means providing the religious organization with the premises of the relevant institution to conduct classes in Orthodoxy. This provision means that teaching Orthodoxy belongs to the category of services provided by a religious organization and cannot be considered as a service of an educational institution. In this regard, in particular, the administration of an educational institution is not obliged to include a legal teacher on the staff, pay him a salary, provide the legal teacher with a curriculum and curriculum, or provide him with funds to purchase the necessary equipment and literature. The only responsibility of the administration is to provide the religious organization with suitable premises for the duration of the relevant classes. The premises are provided for free use, which may be specified in the text of the agreement concluded between a religious organization and an educational institution. The agreement also defines the rights and obligations of the parties to maintain the premises in proper condition.
2. According to paragraph 4 of Art. 5 of the Federal Law “On Freedom of Conscience”, classes on religion, including Orthodoxy, are held outside the framework of the educational program, during extracurricular time, on an optional basis. Thus, the law guarantees compliance with the principle of voluntary religious education in state and municipal educational institutions. The time and duration of training sessions on Orthodoxy are agreed upon by the parties in the contract.
3. The curriculum and curriculum on the fundamentals of Orthodoxy is developed at the church level, including at the level of a specific religious organization. In this case, it is allowed to use original programs, which are contained, in particular, in the collection of programs on the Law of God for parish Sunday schools recommended by the Synodal Department of Religious Education and Catechesis of the Moscow Patriarchate (M, 1999). State and municipal educational institutions, as well as state educational authorities, do not have the right to impose their educational programs and curricula on the fundamentals of Orthodoxy on a religious organization.
4. In accordance with section A. of the Information Letter, the conditions for implementing the program for teaching Orthodoxy must meet the requirements regarding the educational qualifications of teachers. The issue of the educational qualifications of a teacher of the law is decided at the level of the Russian Orthodox Church, and not at the level of state educational authorities. In accordance with the Recommendations, a teacher of the law must have a theological education, confirmed by a document confirming completion of a relevant educational institution (for example, theological courses). The head of a religious organization that has entered into an agreement with an educational institution issues a written certificate (blessing) to the teacher of the law, confirming the right of the teacher to conduct an elective course on Orthodoxy. The issue of remuneration for a teacher of the law is decided by the religious organization. So, for example, if the position of a teacher of the law is included in the staffing schedule of a religious organization, classes on the basics of Orthodoxy are paid for by the religious organization. Another solution to the payment issue is also possible. In particular, a religious organization has the right to conclude a special agreement with the parents of students, according to which the obligation to pay for Orthodoxy classes will be assigned to the parents.
5. When conducting classes on Orthodoxy, it is necessary to comply with Art. 16 of the Law “On Freedom of Conscience”, which prohibits religious ceremonies on the territory of educational institutions. In this regard, prayers, anointing and other rituals are not allowed during Orthodoxy classes. The issue of the admissibility of using religious objects (crosses, lamps, icons, etc.) in Orthodox classes is currently not regulated.
Religious Studies in Public School
Religious education in state and municipal educational institutions is possible not only as an elective, but also as part of an additional educational program, which includes religious studies, religious philosophy and religious educational disciplines. The basic requirements for teaching these disciplines are set out in the Information Letter of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation “On the secular nature of education in state educational institutions of the Russian Federation” N 47/ 20-11p dated March 19, 1993, as well as in the Letter of the Ministry of Education to educational authorities N 230/ 35-15 from 05/15/97.
According to the above documents, the category of religious studies courses includes the courses “History of Religions”, “World Religions”, “Religious Studies” and other courses published in scientific and methodological journals and bulletins of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation. The selection and approval of curricula and curricula for these courses is carried out by a state or municipal educational institution. Letters from the Ministry of Education indicate that a teacher of a religious studies course must undergo special professional training, which is confirmed by the issuance of a state certificate. The rights and obligations of a teacher, including the issue of wages, are regulated by an employment agreement (agreement, contract) concluded between a state (municipal) educational institution and a teacher.
According to the above documents, the teaching of religious studies, religious philosophy and religious educational disciplines is not accompanied by the performance of religious rituals and is of an informative nature.
diet house made of timber
Autonomous existence among ourselves is not useful for us
– Should church educational institutions meet the parameters of secular universities?
- Undoubtedly. This is the need of the hour. All church educational institutions are licensed, and His Holiness the Patriarch has set the task of carrying out state accreditation of at least the best part of the seminaries. Accordingly, seminaries are subject to licensing and accreditation inspections by Rosobrnadzor. And the task of the Academic Committee is to help church educational institutions prepare for state accreditation.
Of course, this work adds a lot of trouble to us: government requirements change all the time. For example, there was a requirement that the university needed an agreement with the clinic, but in order for the clinic to carry out medical activities on the territory of the seminary, it needed to change its license. You can imagine what efforts are needed to get the management of the clinic to agree to renew its license! The same applies to the requirements for teaching staff, for educational and regulatory support - the standards, unfortunately, are extremely unstable.
On the other hand, the process of obtaining state accreditation is a stimulating factor. Autonomous existence among ourselves is very unprofitable for us. And the church educational institution as a kind of abstract provincial theological school issuing its own diplomas has now come to an end.
– How painful was the transition to the Bologna system for church educational institutions?
– There were a lot of useful things in this transition. Yes, master's programs have become specialized in their field, but these are obvious demands of the time, it is clear that it is necessary to move to faculty-type specialization, this is done in the master's program - biblical, theological, historical, church-practical disciplines are taught to choose from.
Obviously, it was also necessary to transition from the lesson-questioning system, which was recommended in theological schools in the Soviet and post-Soviet periods, to the lecture-seminar system. Teaching in higher educational institutions is not lessons with quizzes, but lectures, seminars, and practical exercises.
As for the holidays, yes, we began to study more, but if not with my heart, then with my head, I understand that the inadequate number of weekends and vacation days that we had before the Bologna system was harmful to the educational process. The liturgical cycle is one thing, but the academic year is another; it cannot be directly related to Easter, for example.
If there is anything painful, it is in the incomprehensible variability of the external forms of our state higher education, which we must take into account. There is a constant flux of criteria and requirements - for example, the issue of the status of theology in the higher education system has not been fully resolved. Today it is impossible to defend dissertations in theology; there is no appropriate advice. There is discipline, but there is no corresponding dissertation council - absurd.
Photo by Anna Galperina
Components of success
– What determines the success and failure of a religious university? Can you give examples of the correct strategy or typical mistakes based on the inspection results ?
– As a positive example, we can certainly name the Saratov Theological Seminary. What are the parameters of success?
Firstly, out of the unconditional interest of the ruling bishop . When the ruling bishop sees that having a good seminary in his diocese is not just prestigious, but the very forging of a cadre of educated clergy and church workers in a quality higher educational institution is one of the cornerstones of positive development for the diocese - then this is a kind of depth, sobriety and the correctness of the vision of the situation.
Secondly, the key to success is the formation of a qualified teaching staff . The teaching corps should not consist primarily of part-time workers! The backbone should be people for whom the place of work in the educational field is the main thing. Of course, it is good to attract famous teachers from secular universities, but even the church educational institution itself must have a strong core of “its own” qualified teachers.
Thirdly, decent wages for teachers . “A slave is not a pilgrim” - a church saying, or “Slave labor is unproductive” - the words of one non-church economist. Work must be adequately paid!
Fourthly, working with applicants . Nowadays, this work can be carried out in different forms. As a debatable example, but one that undoubtedly meets the challenges of the time, I will cite the well-known video of the Kazan Theological Seminary, prepared by its new leadership. Such vital, positive creativity testifies to the processes of renewal and development that are taking place in the theological school, which was once one of the four academies of the Russian Church and is now dynamically developing again.
Seminaries must also provide normal living and working conditions for students. His Holiness the Patriarch pays great attention to this - students came to study, and all kinds of additional obediences and duties must be strictly dosed.
Fifthly, the key to success is a normal atmosphere in the relationship between the educational part of the administration and students . For example, the hostel system in seminaries is a very important educational beginning: can I live with other people together, not the way I want, as I am used to with my mom and dad, but build relationships on my own after 4-5 years of study? Seminarians are students living in a dormitory, performing certain duties, but at the same time being open to modern society.
– Can you tell us more about the educational component in a church educational institution, what is its significance?
– Church educational institutions are called upon to provide not only education, but also upbringing. No matter how lofty these words may sound, we all understand that priesthood is not a job, but a lifelong service. Of course, there are comparable vocations in society: physician, teacher, military man. We all want to see in a doctor not only a specialist, but also a sympathetic person; a teacher is not only a teacher, but also an educator; in a priest not only a person who can serve the required service, but also a mentor, a comforter. And such a skill for a priest is impossible without acquiring a certain internal experience of Christian life, the education of the soul.
And here we come to the most delicate sphere of education in theological schools, which, on the one hand, is necessary, because how will someone educate who has not been educated, and on the other hand, is easily replaced by purely disciplinary principles.
It cannot be said that all approaches have already been found here, but it is also impossible to abandon this part of the work in church educational institutions. A new and good example of the educational principle in church educational institutions is the institute of individual mentors. In the system of the Educational Committee and in the MDA, this work is headed by Oleg Sukhanov, a man with a higher military education, a former naval sailor, exceptionally loved by students and able to find a common language with them. The most interesting materials on a specially created website for individual mentors, programs on “Theologian” and the live communication that takes place between him and other mentors within the framework of this portal show how much this institute is in demand.
A mentor is a person who occupies a borderline position between students and the administration. Most often, this is a young teacher or a recent graduate who can help students in practical life, in educational activities, and in solving some problems that arise during their studies with high-ranking members of the administration.
This form has already been introduced everywhere; now it is important that it be filled with content everywhere. Close attention is paid to those cases when representatives of the administration, including educators, turn out to be inconsistent with their calling. When the corresponding signals are confirmed by facts, such people definitely stop working in church educational institutions.
Theological educational institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church
Theological educational institutions of the Russian Orthodox Church
RUSSIA Church graduate and doctoral studies named after Saints Cyril and Methodius 115035
, Moscow, st.
Pyatnitskaya, 4/2, building 5 Tel.: (495) 721–80–35, 721–80–23, 952–20–27, fax: 721–80–23 https://doctorantura.ru E‑mail , Theological Academies Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary
141300, Sergiev Posad, Moscow region, Lavra, Academy Tel.: (496) 541–55–50, fax: (496) 541–55–05 – rector’s reception; (496) 541–56–01, fax: (496) 541–56–02 – office; (496) 540–53–32 – correspondence education sector https://mpda.ru E-mail (rector’s reception); (office)
St. Petersburg Theological Academy and Seminary
191167, St. Petersburg, emb.
Obvodny Canal, 17 Tel.: (812) 717–33–51, 717–39–84, fax: 717–86–07 https://spbda.ru E‑mail; Universities and institutes Orthodox St. Tikhon's Humanitarian University
115184, Moscow, st. Novokuznetskaya, 23b, building 5a Tel.: (495) 953–22–89, fax: 953–56–97 https://pstgu.ru E‑mail
Novosibirsk St. Macarius Orthodox Theological Institute
630123, Novosibirsk, st. Zhukovskogo, 57 Tel.: (383) 243–07–15, 243–06–83 E-mail
Russian Orthodox University
109012, Moscow, New Square, 12 Tel.: (495) 626–22–25, 626–21–56, 626–21–57 https://rpi.su E-mail
Tsaritsyn Orthodox University named after. Venerable Sergius of Radonezh
400012, Volgograd, st.
Chapaeva, 26 Tel.: (8442) 32–76–98, 32–77–97, 32–78–94 E-mail Theological seminaries Barnaul
656008, Barnaul, st. Nikitina, 137a Tel.: (3852) 63–32–55 E‑mail
Belgorod Theological Seminary
308000, Belgorod, Belgorodsky Avenue, 75 Tel.: (4722) 27–32–79, 27–32–50, 27–07–78 – office, fax: 27–47–72 https://seminaria.bel.ru Email
Vladimir St. Theophan's Theological Seminary
600000, Vladimir, st. Bol. Moskovskaya, 68 Tel.: (4922) 42–06–33, fax: 32–74–09 E‑mail
Voronezh Theological Seminary
394004, Voronezh, Leninsky Prospekt, 41 Tel.: (4732) 49–20–20, 49–81–22, fax: 49–96–28 https://vpds.ru E‑mail
Don Theological Seminary
344034, Rostov-on-Don, st. Portovaya, 72 Tel./fax: (863) 269–42–52 https://donseminary.ru E-mail
Ekaterinburg Theological Seminary
620026, Ekaterinburg, st. Rosa Luxemburg, 57 Tel./fax: (343) 331–99–40, 269–42–87 https://epds.ru E-mail;
Ekaterinodar Theological Seminary
350000, Krasnodar, st. Frunze, 67 Tel./fax: (861) 259–04–38, 259–58–15 https://edsem.ru E-mail
Ivanovo-Voznesensk Theological Seminary
153012, Ivanovo, st. Maria Ryabinina, 29 Tel./fax: (4932) 41–23–60, 49–62–70, 30–06–04 https://ivanovo-seminaria.blogspot.ru E-mail
Kazan Theological Seminary
420036, Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan, st. Chelyuskina, 31a Tel.: (843) 571–14–90, 278–89–70, fax: 571–14–70 https://kazds.ru E‑mail
Kaluga Theological Seminary
248600, Kaluga, st. Naberezhnaya, 4 Tel./fax: (4842) 56–27–00, 57–72–71 https://kalugads.ru E‑mail
Kolomna Theological Seminary
140406, Kolomna, Moscow region, st. Golutvinskaya, 11 Tel.: (496) 613–49–24 https://kpds.ru E‑mail;
Kostroma Theological Seminary
156000, Kostroma, st. Bogoyavlenskaya, 26a Tel.: (4942) 35–40–51 – office; 31–42–06 – watch; fax: 31–33–22 (marked “for the seminary”) https://kds.kostromaeparhia.ru E‑mail
Kuzbass Theological Seminary
654025, Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo region, st. Zyryanovskaya, 97 Tel./fax: (3843) 31–13–01, 31–03–08 https://npds.ucoz.ru E‑mail
Kursk Theological Seminary
305021, Kursk, st. Proguulochnaya, 71a Tel.: (4712) 50–01–70, fax: 50–01–77 – Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs E-mail
Nizhny Novgorod Theological Seminary
603001, Nizhny Novgorod, Pokhvalinsky Congress, 5 Tel./fax: (831) 437–00–63 – office, 437–00–16 – correspondence education sector, 430–50–64 – assistant on duty, 437–00–23 – First Vice-Rector https://nds.nne.ru E-mail
Novosibirsk Theological Seminary
633103, Novosibirsk region, Ob, Military Town, 127 Tel.: (383) 295–21–89, 735–64–70, 8–913–770–85–17 https://dsnsk.ru E‑ mail,
Orenburg Theological Seminary
460014, Orenburg, st. Chelyuskintsev, 17 Tel./fax: (3532) 43–13–24 https://orends.ru E‑mail
Penza Theological Seminary
440023, Penza, st. Perekop, 4 Tel.: (8412) 20–94–99, 69–02–10 https://pds58.ru E‑mail
Perervinskaya Theological Seminary
109383, Moscow, st. Shosseynaya, 82 Tel./fax: (495) 354–15–83 https://ppds.ru E‑mail
Perm Theological Seminary
614036, Perm, Kosmonavtov Highway, 185 Tel.: (342) 206–26–28, fax: 226–50–05 https://permseminaria.ru E‑mail
Ryazan Theological Seminary
390000, Ryazan, Kremlin, 1 Tel./fax: (4912) 28–08–04, 27–41–06 https://rpds.spassmon.ru E‑mail
Samara Theological Seminary
443110, Samara, st. Radonezhskaya, 2 Tel./fax: (846) 336–75–12, 338–36–70 https://samds.ru E‑mail
Saratov Theological Seminary
410031, Saratov, st. Radishcheva A.N., 24b Tel.: (8452) 28–34–47, 23–04–38, fax: 23–89–80 https://sarpds.ru E‑mail
St. Nicholas Ugresh Theological Seminary
140090, Dzerzhinsky, Moscow region, pl. St. Nicholas, 1, bldg. 6 Tel.: (495) 551–78–29, 551–73–70, fax: 551–26–43 https://nupds.ru E-mail
Smolensk Theological Seminary
214000, Smolensk, st. Timiryazeva, 5 Tel.: (4812) 39–42–76, fax: 38–26–54 https://smolensk-seminaria.ru E‑mail
Sretenskaya Theological Seminary
107031, Moscow, st. Bolshaya Lubyanka, 17, building 1 For correspondence: 107031, Moscow, PO Box No. 87 Tel.: (495) 623–34–44 (ext. 160), 628–25–08, fax: 621–45–29 https://pravoslavie.ru/sm/page_1113.htm E‑mail
Stavropol Theological Seminary
355017, Stavropol, st. Dzerzhinsky, 155 Tel.: (8652) 35–92–84, 35–44–87, fax: 35–48–80, https://stavropol-eparhia.ru/category/spiritual-seminary E‑mail;
Tambov Theological Seminary
392000, Tambov, st. M. Gorkogo, 3 Tel.: (4752) 71–07–97, 72–04–84 https://seminaria.eparhia-tmb.ru E‑mail,
Tobolsk Theological Seminary
626152, Tobolsk, Tyumen region, Red Square, Kremlin Tel.: (3456) 22–25–57, fax: 22–09–58 https://tobolsk-eparhia.ru E‑mail
Tomsk Theological Seminary
634000, Tomsk, pl. Lenina, 82 Tel.: (3822) 51–26–05, 51–24–30, 51–26–05 https://tomds.ru E‑mail
Tula Theological Seminary
300045, Tula, st. Staronikitskaya, 75 Tel.: (4872) 31–29–19, 31–18–46, fax: 30–70–20 https://tula-seminary.ru E‑mail
Khabarovsk Theological Seminary
680000, Khabarovsk, st. Turgeneva, 26 Tel./fax: (4212) 22–02–83, 22–32–21 https://dvseminary.ru E‑mail,
Yakut Theological Seminary
677000, Yakutsk, st. Chernyshevsky, 52 Tel./fax: (4112) 40–39–96, 40–39–94 https://seminaria.ya1.ru E‑mail
Yaroslavl Theological Seminary
150000, Yaroslavl, pl.
Chelyuskintsev, 12/4 Tel./fax: (4852) 31–39–75, 30–58–07, 73–06–70 – regency department, 30–41–45 – correspondence education sector https://yarseminaria. ru E‑mail Theological schools Bryansk
241000, Bryansk, st. Pokrovskaya Gora, 4 Tel./fax: (4832) 74–14–07, 74–00–97 E‑mail
Bryansk Diocesan Women's School (3rd year)
241000, Bryansk, st. Pokrovskaya Gora, 5 Tel./fax: (4832) 74–14–07, 74–00–97 E‑mail
Verkhoturye Theological School
624380, Verkhoturye, Sverdlovsk region, st. Voinskaya, 1a Tel.: (34389) 2–23–58, 2–18–26, fax: 2–24–44
Vladivostok Theological School (4th year)
690091, Vladivostok, st. Pologaya, 65 Tel./fax: (4232) 40–13–36
Vladikavkaz Theological School
362002, Republic of North Ossetia - Alania, Vladikavkaz, st. August events, 83 Tel.: (8672) 76–26–30
Volgograd Theological School
400012, Volgograd, st. Chapaeva, 26 Tel.: (8442) 32–76–98
Vologda Theological School (2nd year)
160035, Vologda, st. Sergeya Orlova, 1 Tel./fax: (8172) 72–84–14 E-mail
Vyksa Theological School (3rd year)
607060, Vyksa, Nizhny Novgorod region, st. Spartak, 33 Tel.: (83177) 3–22–58, fax: 3–88–66 E‑mail
Vyatka Theological School (3rd year)
610000, Vyatka, st. Gorbacheva, 4 Tel.: (8332) 38–58–19 https://vdschool.ru E‑mail
Gusevsky Theological School (2nd year)
601500, Gus-Khrustalny, Vladimir region, st. Vokzalnaya, 15 Tel.: (49241) 2–29–84, 2–33–70
Kaluga Theological School (4th year)
248600, Kaluga, st. Darvina, 13/33 Tel.: (4842) 57–30–06 https://kdu-kaluga.ru
Nizhny Novgorod Women's Theological School (4th year)
603001, Nizhny Novgorod, st. Suetinskaya, 29 Tel.: (831) 433–39–45, 430–87–50, 430–87–45 https://ndu.nne.ru E‑mail
Novgorod Theological School (3rd year)
173007, Veliky Novgorod, Yuryevskoe highway, 10 St. Yuryev Monastery Tel.: (8162) 77–30–20 E‑mail
Omsk Theological School (4 years)
644007, Omsk, st. Tretyakovskaya, 48 Tel.: (3812) 25–02–41, 51–90–87, 21–23–99
Orenburg Theological School (2nd year)
462100, pos. Saraktash, Orenburg region, st. Pushkina, 77 Tel./fax: (35333) 6–12–32 E‑mail
Pskov Theological School (3rd year)
180000, Pskov, st. Nekrasova, 33 Tel.: (8112) 72–42–19, 62–11–17, fax: 72–16–11
Ryazan Diocesan Women's Theological School
390006, Ryazan, st. Furmanova, 64 Tel.: (4912) 28–17–28, fax: 28–07–21 https://rejdu.ru E‑mail
Saransk Theological School (3rd year)
430000, Republic of Mordovia, Saransk, st. Saranskaya, 67 Tel./fax: (8342) 47–28–38, 47–07–69 E-mail
Smolensk Interdiocesan Orthodox Theological School (3rd year)
214000, Smolensk, st. Cathedral Courtyard, 5 Tel./fax: (4812) 38–28–62 https://smpdu.ru E-mail
Syktyvkar Theological School (3rd year)
167000, Komi Republic, Syktyvkar, st. Pushkina, 3 Tel./fax: (8212) 24–40–48, 24–04–07, 24–09–19 E‑mail
Tyumen Theological School (2nd year)
625001, Tyumen, st. Dimitrova, 3 Tel.: (3452) 22–12–49, fax: 46–29–73
Cheboksary Theological School (3rd year)
428018, Republic of Chuvashia, Cheboksary, st. K. Ivanova, 5 Tel./fax: (8352) 58–59–58
Chelyabinsk Theological School
454084, Chelyabinsk, st. Kyshtymskaya, 32 Tel.: (351) 791–55–38; 790–27–51 E‑mail
Chita Theological School (3rd year)
672039, Chita, st.
January 9th, 54, bldg. 4 Tel.: (3022) 32–54–78 UKRAINE Theological academies Kiev
Ukraine, 01015, Kiev, st. Lavrskaya, 25, bldg. 64 Tel.: (10–380–44) 255–12–23 – duty officer, 255–11–79 – office, fax: 255–12–07 https://kdais.kiev.ua E‑mail
Uzhgorod Ukrainian Theological Academy named after Saints Cyril and Methodius
Ukraine, 88000, Uzhgorod, Transcarpathian region, pl.
Teatralnaya, 5–7 Tel.: (10–380–312) 61–28–01, 61–20–08, 61–38–33, 61–72–39, fax: 61–29–45 https:// uuba.org.ua E‑mail; Universities and institutes Lugansk Theological University in honor of the Archangel Michael
Ukraine, 91005, Lugansk, pl. Vladimirskaya, 1 Tel./fax: (10–380–642) 50–85–23 https://lbu.lg.ua
Chernivtsi Orthodox Theological Institute
Ukraine, 58029, Chernivtsi, st.
Mark Cheremshyn, 10a Tel.: (10–380–372) 51–64–46, 57–58–07 https://cpbi.info E-mail Theological seminaries Volyn
Ukraine, 43025, Lutsk, st. Dragomanova, 26 Tel.: (10–380–332) 72–48–81 E‑mail
Odessa Theological Seminary
Ukraine, 65038, Odessa, Mayachny lane, 4 Tel.: (10–380–48) 746–88–71, 746–83–94, fax: 746–35–85 https://odseminary.orthodox.ru E ‑mail
Poltava Missionary Theological Seminary
Ukraine, 39800, Komsomolsk, Poltava region, st. Constitution, 12 Tel.: (10–380‑5348) 2–28–58, fax: 2–53–02 https://orth-mission.org.ua E‑mail
Pochaev Theological Seminary
Ukraine, 47025, Pochaev, Kremenets district, Ternopil region, st. Resurrection, 11 Tel.: (10–380‑3546) 6–15–61, 6–16–99 E‑mail
Taurida Theological Seminary
Ukraine, 95011, Simferopol, st. Geroev Adzhimushkaya, 9/11 Tel.: (10–380–652) 25–45–11, 27–00–59 https://seminaria.crimea.ua E‑mail
Kharkov Theological Seminary
Ukraine, 61000, Kharkov, st.
Universitetskaya, 8 Tel.: (10–380–57) 731–53–83 https://eparchia.kharkov.ua E‑mail Theological schools Alchevsk
Ukraine, 94200, Alchevsk Lugansk region, Church Square, 1 Tel. : (10–380‑6442) 5–51–33, 5–52–25 E-mail
Vladimir-Volyn Regency Theological School
Ukraine, 44700, Vladimir-Volynsky, st. Sobornaya, 29 Tel.: (10–380‑3342) 2–17–08
Gorodok Theological School of Regents-Psalm Readers
Ukraine, 35331, p. Town of Rivne district, Rivne region, st. Monastyrskaya, 1 Tel.: (10–380–362) 20–14–82
Koretsk Regent-Catechetical Theological School
Ukraine, 34700, Korets, Rivne region, st. Kyiv, 56 Tel./fax: (10–380‑3651) 2–18–66, 2–04–55
Mukachevo Theological School
Ukraine, 90100, Irshava, Transcarpathian region, st. Gagarina, 33 Tel.: (10–380‑3144) 2–27–33
Nikolaev Theological School
Ukraine, 54001, Nikolaev, st. Lyagina, 10 Tel.: (10–380–512) 37–37–52
Sverdlovsk Theological school
Ukraine, 94806, Sverdlovsk, Lugansk region, lane. Podlesny, 2 Tel.: (10–380‑6434) 2–40–51
Sumy Pastoral and Theological School
Ukraine, 40000, Sumy, st. Komsomolskaya, 108 Tel.: (10–380–542) 77–04–54 E‑mail
Chernigov Theological School
Ukraine, 14014, Chernigov, st.
Tolstogo, 92 Tel.: (10–380‑4622) 7–81–78, 4–98–31 BELARUS Theological academies and seminaries Belarusian
Belarus, 231822, Zhirovichi, Slonim district, Grodno region, st. Sobornaya, 55 Tel./fax: (10–375‑1562) 96–5–86 – reception, 96–8–22 – office https://minds.by E-mail
Vitebsk Theological Seminary
Belarus, 210026, Vitebsk, st.
Krylova, 7 Tel./fax: (10–375–212) 37–31–59, 23–60–28 https://vitebskseminary.org E-mail Theological schools Minsk
Belarus, 220121, Minsk, st. Pritytskogo, 65 Tel./fax: (10–375–17) 255–55–19 https://mindu.orthodoxy.ru E‑mail
Orsha Theological School
Belarus, 211030, Orsha, Vitebsk region, st. Sovetskaya, 7 Tel.: (10–375–29) 714–14–13 E‑mail
Slonim Theological School (3rd year)
Belarus, 231800, Slonim, Grodno region, st.
Vilenskaya, 9 Tel.: (10–375‑1562) 2–53–29, fax: 2–35–31 KAZAKHSTAN Alma-Ata Theological Seminary
Kazakhstan, 480015, Almaty, Dorozhnik microdistrict, 29 Tel./fax: ( 7272) 98–94–71 – reception, 98–91–75, 98–96–04 https://seminaria.kz E‑mail: [email protected]
LATVIA Riga Theological Seminary Latvia
Catoliu, 10 Tel.: (10–3716) 722–72–42, 722–76–48, 722–83–24
MOLDAVIA Chisinau Theological Academy and Seminary Moldova
Izmail, 46 Tel.: (10–373–22) 27–27–43, 54–28–70, fax: 54–28–63
Bendery Theological School (2nd year)
Moldova, MD-3200, Bendery, st.
Suvorova, 53 Tel.: (10–373–552) 5–42–50 USA Holy Trinity Theological Seminary in Jordanville
Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary PO Box 36, Jordanville, NY 13361–0036 USA, New York Tel.: (10–1–315) 858–09–45 https://hts.edu E‑mail
UZBEKISTAN Tashkent Theological Seminary Uzbekistan
Avliyota, 91 Tel.: (10–998–712) 54–27–27, 55–54–15, 36–79–39 E‑mail;
FRANCE Paris Orthodox Theological Seminary
Maison Sainte-Geneviéve, 4, rue Sainte-Geneviéve, 91860 Épinay-sous-Sénart, France Tel.: (10–33–1) 48–28–99–90, fax: 48–28 –74–54 https://seminaria.fr E‑mail,
MDA: statistics
– Do you have statistics specifically on the Moscow Theological Academy? To compare over the years and identify trends.
– This year, several times more young people entered the MDA than usual – more than 150 people enrolled in the bachelor’s program. Moreover, this year there are more stringent requirements and the Unified State Exam is mandatory. Of these 150 people, more than 80 were accepted into the preparatory department, and about 10 people immediately entered the first year.
The new unified curriculum implies a mandatory four-year bachelor's degree for all and the presence of a preparatory department. At the preparatory department, church disciplines are taught, which are absent in secondary school; the situation with ordinary subjects is also normalized - Russian language, foreign language, general humanities, historical disciplines. But the best students from high school, and especially young people with a higher secular education, can immediately enter the first year.
In the final year, there are usually about 60 people in the MDA: about 30% of students do not make it to graduation for various reasons. Firstly, it is difficult to study in a theological school. Secondly, someone switches to the correspondence department due to various life circumstances. Thirdly, someone himself understands that he is in the wrong place and has chosen the wrong path. And it happens that the administration understands this about someone.
Most students graduating from MDA are ordained. The task of the seminary is, first of all, the training of clergy. But there cannot be a formal mechanistic approach here: “Please decide during your graduation year whether you will become a monk or get married. And if you don’t decide, you won’t get a diploma.” If something like this ever happened, we are now monitoring this kind of pressure and suppressing it in every possible way.
The MDA has courses where 60% of students become clergy by the time they graduate. But there shouldn’t be a competition to see which seminary will have the most clergy by the end of their studies. The main thing is that the graduates then remain in the sphere of church work, in the ranks or as church workers. And today there are a decisive majority of such graduates. And in this sense, most seminaries realize their task - they prepare people who then go out to serve the Church.
– Father Maxim, what are your feelings and intermediate conclusions from observing the development of MDA during your work in the Academic Committee?
– MDA is a unique institution, an ancient theological educational school. The forced “Soviet” break in the MDA and SPbPDA was minimal; the Moscow and Leningrad theological schools, resumed in the mid-40s, could rely on the teaching staff and graduates of pre-revolutionary theological educational institutions that survived the years of persecution. Therefore, these academies are not comparable in scale to other church educational institutions. These are institutions that have a very large margin of safety and that depend little on the personality of the leader or a particular teacher. This is stability and conservatism in the best sense.
On the other hand, it is precisely this conservatism that can lead to a certain kind of inertia processes. The scale of activity within the framework of a huge teaching and student corporation is such that the resolution of some practical issues is carried out more slowly than in small seminaries. Perhaps this is why today neither the Moscow nor the St. Petersburg academies have state accreditation.
But I think that the current problems of MDA are surmountable. Some areas are developing dynamically, for example, the library, which is being improved not only externally, but also internally - using modern technologies. At the Institute of Individual Tutors, MDA also became the flagship. Distance learning, when lectures were broadcast for provincial seminaries, also relied primarily on MDA personnel.
When it was necessary to develop training programs for the new unified curriculum, it was MDA that was the first to post them on its website so that others could benefit. And there are many such examples of the successful implementation of various tasks of our alma mater.
