LT

MT 100 Introduction to Moral Theology** 3 SP 101 Foundations of Spirituality I 2

Subject

LT

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2025

Source

bcs.edu

This course will explore the three Mysteries of Initiation (Baptism, Chrismation, and the Eucharist) according to the ancient liturgical Tradition of the Eastern Church, from a historical, theological, and pastoral perspective. Highlighted in detail will be the scriptural and theological origins of the rites of Baptism and Chrismation, as well as associated initiation rites, and the intimate association of the Eucharist to the Initiation Mysteries as the very fulfillment and perpetual reenactment of Christian initiation. The expected outcome for students is: • To acquire a methodology of critical thinking and insight into liturgical concepts related to the Eastern Rites of Initiation, their historical development, and their theology, which will allow them to ask relevant questions and pursue further research in this area as needed or desired. • To analyze critically, historically and theologically, the rites of Baptism and Chrismation in all Christian traditions and to adopt a particular perspective that will enhance their vocational endeavors. • Relate Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist to life and, specifically, to historical, anthropological, sociological, and spiritual realities lived by the Christian daily. • To attain a level of proficiency with regard to the relevant sacramental language needed in order to pursue research and further liturgical studies. • To become conversant with other students and theologians familiar with the Initiation Mysteries and attain an understanding and appreciation of other liturgical traditions. 3 hours; 1 semester

Subject

LT

Type

course

Edition

2025

Source

bcs.edu

Prerequisite

LT 100

This course investigates in comprehensive detail the historical origins, development, and theological significance for the Eastern Church of the Mysteries of Marriage, Holy Orders (including monastic tonsure), Holy Confession, and Holy Unction. A unique emphasis will also be laid on the mystery of death and resurrection as expressed and celebrated within the various funeral services of the Church. The class will focus on how and why these rites developed, the social and cultural forces that shaped them, 60 B.C.S. Academic Catalog – FINAL February 12, 2025

Subject

LT

Type

course

Edition

2025

Source

bcs.edu

This course exclusively probes the Divine Liturgy of the Church within its historical and theological dimensions. Students will explore the origins and development of the Eucharistic Liturgy within Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, engage in an exhaustive theological analysis of the Eucharistic Liturgy, and discuss modern-day challenges to the implementation of a liturgical theology that can profoundly affect daily life and inform one’s understanding of cosmic redemption and personal salvation. The expected outcomes for students are to: • Acquire a thorough historical and theological understanding of the Divine Liturgy, thus assisting them in engaging in critical thinking and conversing intelligibly about the Liturgy in both an academic and parochial setting. • Relate the Divine Liturgy to daily life and, specifically, to historical, anthropological, sociological, and spiritual realities lived by Christians • Attain a level of proficiency with regard to liturgical language and concepts, needed in order to pursue research and further liturgical studies. • Understand and express intelligibly the sacrificial and eschatological notions within the Eastern Church’s Eucharistic theology, as well as affirm their central importance for the liturgical life experienced by worshipping Christians. 3 hours; 1 semester

Subject

LT

Type

course

Edition

2025

Source

bcs.edu

Prerequisite

LT 100

This course examines the historical development and theology of the daily cycle of liturgical worship in the life of the Christian Church. Emphasis will be placed on daily liturgical prayer as expressed in the services of Vespers, Matins, Hours, and related rites, including a survey of how these rites evolved over time and how the various Typika, or Ordos, have regulated them. The course will establish a theology of the Divine Office, affirming how the daily cycle serves as the Church’s school of prayer and expounding upon the significance of praying the Liturgy of the Hours for the Christian today. The expected outcomes for students are: 61 B.C.S. Academic Catalog – FINAL February 12, 2025

Subject

LT

Type

course

Edition

2025

Source

bcs.edu

This course is a general introduction to the system of seven sacramental mysteries: Baptism and Eucharist as the foundations of the sevenfold system; a history of the theology of the sacraments, with an emphasis on the commentaries of the Eastern fathers; the use of material elements and ritual in the celebration of the sacraments; medieval Western influences on Eastern theology; ecumenical principles of sacraments. The expected outcomes for the students are: • To acquire a deeper understanding of the sacramental system of the Catholic- Orthodox Church, that it is both a real and symbolic manifestation of the action of God’s grace in our total physical-spiritual existence. • To be able to explain the sacramental mysteries in faith as a part of his ministry of evangelization and acquire a practical knowledge of what constitutes a sacramental mystery in regard to material and ritual, that would enhance his celebration of the mystery. • To become easily conversant with the central aspects of Catholic-Orthodox sacramental teaching both in its historical context and its expression in modern culture, • To understand the sacramental relationships between Churches, the reasons for communicatio in sacris or the lack of it, and the ecumenical principles for restoration of unity. 3 hours; 1 semester

Subject

LT

Type

course

Edition

2025

Source

bcs.edu

Prerequisite

LT 100

This course is a survey of the theology of liturgy from a practical viewpoint. The rituals (gestures) and prayers (words) of the Divine Liturgy, the Presanctified Divine Liturgy, and Vespers with the Divine Liturgy are described in detail, as a corporate service of priests, deacons, servers, cantors, and congregation. The rationale of this ritual is then discussed from a theological and historical perspective. The student 62 B.C.S. Academic Catalog – FINAL February 12, 2025

Subject

LT

Type

course

Edition

2025

Source

bcs.edu

This course presents a theological and historical overview of the sacramental mysteries of initiation in the Byzantine liturgical tradition. The mysteries of initiation are baptism in water, chrismation with holy chrism, and Communion in the consecrated Body and Blood of Christ. The rites are described and placed in a total process of becoming a follower of the gospel of Christ, from the first preaching to the completion of one’s lifetime faith at death. The mysteries are described and placed in their historical perspective, from Scriptural foundations to both ritual and theological developments in the Byzantine churches. Some of the legal aspects are attended to, particularly for those entering ministry, and placed in their theological context. The special questions of communion to infants and the ecumenical consequences of baptism are addressed. In this course, the student should acquire: • An integral understanding of the meaning of the total process of initiation into faith. • A theological and historical knowledge of these daily services. • A practical ability to reflect on the structure and texts of the Divine Praises as celebrated in community or prayed in private. 3 hours; 1 semester

Subject

LT

Type

course

Edition

2025

Source

bcs.edu

This elective course studies particular themes, periods, or texts within the field of liturgical history and theology, at the discretion of the professor. This course will function as a directed study, which will involve weekly reading and writing assignments, the completion of a research paper at the end of the semester, and regular interaction with the professor. The expected outcomes for students taking this course are: • To gain deeper historical and theological insights into the various topics under discussion. • To familiarize themselves with the scholarly literature available in the area of liturgical studies and to develop the ability to critically analyze primary and secondary texts. • To learn independent research techniques in liturgical studies. • To become conversant with specific theological & pastoral areas in liturgy that will enhance their scholarly pursuits and pastoral ministry as future leaders of the Church.

Subject

LT

Type

course

Edition

2025

Source

bcs.edu

This elective course provides a comprehensive description of the Byzantine Typikon or Ordo, its history and principles, along with a detailed analysis of the arrangement of propers, particularly in the Divine Office. The expected outcomes for students are: 63 B.C.S. Academic Catalog – FINAL February 12, 2025

Subject

LT

Type

course

Edition

2025

Source

bcs.edu

This elective serves as a historical survey of liturgical reform and development primarily in the Eastern Churches, drawing some comparisons with the West. Areas of concentration will be the Constantinian reform, the Studite reform, the Neo- Sabbaite synthesis, the Niconian reforms of Russia, and the Eastern Catholic and pre- Vatican II liturgical reforms. The expected outcomes for students are: • To compare and contrast the various liturgical reforms throughout history. • To familiarize themselves with the necessity of liturgical reform as a movement of the Holy Spirit within the Church to make worship intelligible and relevant. • To understand the challenges of sound liturgical reform, which take under consideration historical, sociological, cultural, and theological influences. • To consider liturgical reform as never innovative but more so as a sacred activity of the Church carried out in “creative continuity” with her revered past. 2 hours; 1 semester

Subject

LT

Type

course

Edition

2025

Source

bcs.edu

This elective course studies the concept of evil as both an ontological force (demonology) manifested in possessions and mass hysteria, the voluntary rejection of God, and the absence of divine good. Following a historical survey of ancient and indigenous approaches to evil, possession, and exorcisms through the Judeo-Christian Scriptures and other religious cultures (magic, witchcraft, etc.), attention will be given to the Eastern Church's practice of baptismal and non-baptismal exorcisms, inherent challenges and dangers of exorcisms as well as employed techniques, and theological insights into the long-standing warfare between the powers of good and evil. The expected outcomes for students are: • To attain a theoretical but also practical familiarization with evil and exorcism, which will complement their pastoral ministry as needs arise and place into perspective difficulties and challenges that arise with individuals and circumstances. • To acquire a thorough understanding of how the notion of evil developed historically in various parts of the world and to determine common but also differing theological perspectives on evil, especially among the three monotheistic religions. • To familiarize themselves with the various means of coping with and addressing evil through religious rituals and to cultivate an appreciation for Christian exorcism rites, both in terms of their functionality and theological expression. 64 B.C.S. Academic Catalog – FINAL February 12, 2025

Subject

LT

Type

course

Edition

2025

Source

bcs.edu

This elective studies the concept of evil from the perspective of both an ontological force (demonology) and the voluntary rejection and absence of good. The understanding of evil from various ideologies and religions are explored, followed by a particular emphasis on the Judeo-Christian scriptural tradition and its extensive treatment by patristic writers throughout history. At the forefront of this detailed textual survey is the inescapable issue of theodicy and all the arguments associated with it. Following a historical study of how ancient indigenous cultures throughout the world dealt with the problem of evil and demonic spirits ritually, attention will be given to the Eastern Church's practice of baptismal exorcisms and their accompanying prayers within the manuscript tradition. In addition, isolated prayers of exorcism performed in individual cases of adults, together with their theology, will be examined. Finally, the course will briefly look at the Roman Catholic order of exorcists and unique cases of actual exorcisms performed in both the East and West, highlighting the meaning and ramifications of such an activity within the Christian life. The goals of the course are: • to present, in a systematic and coherent fashion, a comprehensive history of the development of the notion of evil and demonology within various socio-religious contexts, especially in the Judeo-Christian milieu. • to discern the relationship and interplay between evil as an ontological force and the voluntary rejection and absence of God. • to explore how various cultures around the world understood and thus coped with the problem of evil through various religious rituals, and to determine how these rituals affect the “possessed” individual, his peers, and the general populace. • to examine in depth the theological meaning behind pre-baptismal exorcisms through the careful probing of the prayers of exorcism in the Eastern Church’s rite of baptism. • to study isolated non-baptismal exorcism prayers from the Church’s manuscript tradition, performed in individual cases of adults deemed “possessed” by evil spirits. • to investigate actual, documented rites of exorcism performed in both the Eastern and Western Church, highlighting the meaning and implications of such an activity for the Christian community of the twenty-first century. 3 hours; 1 semester

Subject

LT

Type

course

Edition

2025

Source

bcs.edu

Prerequisite

LT 100

This course will provide a history and evaluation of liturgical development, with a focus on the Eastern Churches and drawing some comparisons to the West. Specific topics to be covered are: a definition of renewal, the Constantinian reform, the Studite influence, the Neo-Sabbaite synthesis, the invention of printing, the Niconian reform (Russia), the consolidation of the traditional form and the Eastern Catholic responses, 65 B.C.S. Academic Catalog – FINAL February 12, 2025

Subject

LT

Type

course

Edition

2025

Source

bcs.edu