The St. Philaret Orthodox Christian Institute (SFI) is the first theological university in Russia, opened even under Soviet rule. Education in it is available to priests and lay people. The founder of the educational institution is the religious organization Sretenie. The institute is accredited by the state. Owns two licenses - church and secular.
Story
The St. Philaret Orthodox Christian Institute was opened in 1988. Training in it was started by 12 students according to the program developed by the rector Georgy Kochetkov, which will be discussed in more detail below.
The first years of work, during the Soviet era, the institution functioned unofficially. In 1992, registration was carried out, the institution was called the Moscow Higher Orthodox Christian School. Moscow Patriarch Alexy II blessed the establishment.
The year 1994 was marked by the opening of the correspondence department in the theological direction, which provided the opportunity to teach nonresident students. In 2001, the Theological College began its activities; in 2005, the Faculty of Religious Studies. Since 1998, the institute has been engaged in catechesis (teaching the basics of faith) of members of the Orthodox Church; since 2009, you can get a bachelor of theology diploma in it that meets the requirements of the state.
In honor of Filaret, the Moscow Institute was named in 1995, and two years later, with the blessing of the patriarch, a chapel was built in it in the name of this saint.
Areas of study
The faculties of the St. Philaret Orthodox Christian Institute today are:
- theological;
- religious studies.
Higher professional education can be obtained in the field of theology, as well as additional - in theology, the foundations of Orthodox culture.
At the Faculty of Theology, a magistracy lasts two years, a bachelor's degree in person - four years, in absentia and part-time - five years.
At relack, the duration of training is two years. This is a professional retraining program.
Also, teachers can study at the university and improve their qualifications in subjects taught in schools, thematically related to the basics of religious education.
Tuition is paid.
University founder
The rector of the St. Philaret Orthodox Christian Institute is Father George Kochetkov. This personality is ambiguous. Georgy Kochetkov began his religious activities in the USSR, which is why he came under the scrutiny of the KGB. Starting in the 70s to collect his library of spiritual literature, he did it secretly, storing copies of books in different places. Such actions were necessary so that the KGB could not immediately confiscate all books.
Today, Georgy Kochetkov is engaged in catechesis and helping people in their churching, translates into Russian texts of services from Greek and Church Slavonic, which is why he met with criticism among some Orthodox leaders. Alexander Dvorkin, Tikhon Shevkunov, Dmitry Smirnov and others are considered his opponents. Sometimes Father George in the Orthodox ranks is directly called the “Renovationist” and they speak of the “Baptist content” of the liturgy conducted by the priest. These phenomena are expressed in:
- joint singing "Our Father";
- rite of "bread breaking";
- noncanonical prayer of believers;
- charismatic exclamations at the liturgy during and after the sacrament.
Some Boglovsky writings of Father George were banned for distribution among believers, since they did not correspond to the dogmas of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Over the past 15 years, Father George serves in the Novodevichy Convent.
University activities
From the very beginning of its existence, the Institute hosts various international conferences on theological issues. Now they are held twice a year. Autumn is devoted to church-social issues, and spring is theological and practical.
Many projects are carried out as part of the cooperation of the university with the RSUH. For example, in 2011 it was a series of programs dedicated to academician Sergei Averintsev.
Publishing house
It was opened at the institute in 1991. Since then, numerous philosophical and theological works of S. Bulgakov, A. Schmeman, N. Afanasyev, Archimandrite Kern and others were published there. The works of foreign Orthodox figures were translated - A. Giannulatos, I. Zizioulas, G. Khodra, I. Meyendorf and others.
Among the publications also:
- Materials of the conferences for the entire period.
- The theological almanac "The Light of Christ."
- Translations of services into Russian with comments in the series “Orthodox services”.
- The textbook "Christian Temple."
- A variety of catechisms.
- The magazine "Orthodox community".
Trustees and famous figures
In 1996, trustees began to appear at the St. Philaret Orthodox Christian Institute. Today they are Petros Vasiliadis (Greek theologian), Alexei Starobinsky (theoretical physicist), Adriano Roccucci (Roman doctor of history), Bishop Seraphim, Eugene Vereshchagin (philologist) and many other outstanding personalities.
At different periods of time, academician S. Averintsev, Archpriest Pavel Adelheim, Hieromonk Mikhail Arrantz and others taught at the institution.
The teaching staff of the St. Philaret Orthodox Christian Institute now includes both experienced and young teachers, including graduate students of the Siberian Federal University.
Association
The Association of Alumni and Students (AViS) was organized at the St. Philaret Orthodox Christian Institute. It includes more than 50 people, some of them are engaged in teaching.
The association is engaged in publishing the almanac "The Light of Christ enlightens everyone." Both students and university teachers can publish their work in it.
AviS was formed in 2006, December 2, on the day of veneration of St. Filaret. The purpose of her work is the organization of student life at the institute. At the end of the winter session, according to tradition, a joint meal is held - agapa, during which students and teachers can talk and share their impressions, experiences, thoughts.
How to find?
Address of the St. Philaret Orthodox Christian Institute: Moscow, Pokrovka St., 29. Nearest metro stations: Kurskaya, Sretensky Boulevard, Chistye Prudy.
SFI is open daily on weekdays from 9:00 to 18:00.