WEBSITE OF ABBOT ARSENY MANKO ВЕБ-САЙТ ИГУМЕНА АРСЕНИЯ /МАНЬКО/

Course content and description

Please read carefully the Course content and description. This will helps better understand what we're doing here.

The aim of the course

The aim of the course is to provide an introductory or remedial, in-depth exposition of Orthodox Christian doctrine. The course is available to laypeople and clergy, formally baptized but lacking a vivifying assurance and wholeness in their understanding of the faith. The course is also suitable for those seeking initiation into Orthodox Christian teaching, regardless of whether they come from a another religion, another Christian denomination, or non-belief. For each individual listener, the course is considered complete when there are no significant questions remaining about the essence, goals, and means of Orthodox Christianity as a doctrine.

The basis of the course

The basis of the course is the Holy Scripture, from the first word to the last. The Pentateuch of Moses, the Prophets, the Gospels, and the Epistles are examined in detail, verse by verse. Doctrine is presented gradually, alongside the reading and interpretation of the Holy Scripture. The Book of Job is typically recommended for reading and discussion during the Great Lent. The Psalms are intended as a separate, additional course.

Inclusions along the course

Shortly before or immediately after Great, Twelfth and certain other significant holidays, conversations could be dedicated to their meanings. Sometimes, upon the group's request, entire conversations can be dedicated to answering questions about the covered material or some other significant occasion.

INTERACTIVITY OF THE COURSE

The course of spiritual conversations is interactive at any time. That's why it's called conversations, not lectures or something else. Questions and requests for clarifications or additional explanations can be asked to the host at any moment. Discussing the material and sharing personal spiritual train of thoughts related to the subject of the course is highly encouraged, and sometimes even required.

AVAILABILITY OF THE COURSE, QUOTING

For a variety of reasons, the course is not being and will not be made available publicly on the Internet. The organizers are keeping a technical protocol record of the course in order to preserve the material, protect it legally, and restore the integrity of the material for listeners who have missed a small number of lectures due to very valid reasons. Requests for the retransmission of specific lectures are handled privately with the course organizer or moderators. Any audio or video recording of the course by participants or invited attendees, for any purpose, and especially any unauthorized distribution of any parts of the course, is strictly prohibited and will be pursued under copyright law. Quoting is allowed with written permission from the copyright holders.

LANGUAGE OF THE COURSE

The author and host of the course speaks English, but unfortunately, not well enough to accurately select sophisticated religious terminology and provide an sufficient number of idiomatic expressions that are often necessary for achieving a precise understanding of the material being presented. The Holy Scriptures themselves employ highly figurative language and abound with idioms. Some passages of the Holy Scriptures are quite difficult to comprehend and even more challenging to exactly explain due to the inconvenient intricacies of translation from ancient Hebrew and Greek languages. Ideally, such exact explanation should be done not just by someone who speaks a particular language, but by a native speaker of that language.

This is why the course author hopes that someone interested in studying the course for themselves will be willing to take on the challenging task of translating the course into English. We are also trying to learn how to use the latest capabilities provided by AI-based synchronous translation services. Anyone with translation expert experience or communication with AI-based translation systems would be greatly appreciated. However, unfortunately, at this moment, the course is only available in Russian.

Duration, schedule and timing

Estimated duration of the whole course is approximately four years. Classes take place once a week, excluding Easter and Christmas Holiday weeks, as well as the first and last weeks of the Grate Lent. The weekday and time are chosen by consensus within the group during the first and second meetings. Currently, Tuesdays and Thursdays are occupied by groups from previous years. Prospective course participants should understand and realize in advance that deciding to explore their faith will require time, effort, and personal discipline. Naturally, over such a long period, there may be unavoidable absences due to valid reasons. For such cases, the organizers have provided the possibility of exceptional assistance through the replay of specific conversations in the form of recorded broadcasts. However, it is important to understand in advance that this is a rare and exceptional measure, as it requires the repeated personal involvement of the host or moderator since the recordings are broadcasted, not provided as files.

The course represents a cohesive, uninterrupted sequence of events leading to God's Covenants with humanity – from Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and the Israeli people, up to the New Covenant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with present-day exist Christians. Missing classes, especially during the study of the Book of Genesis, result in a complete lack of understanding of the entire course and render the efforts of both the author/host and listeners almost futile. Please keep this in mind.

Those who are unsure whether it is worth "investing so much time" in this course can ask for personal feedback in advance from those who have been engaged in this course for several years. Special online meetings are organized during the registration process for new groups.

Additional potential courses

Additional potential courses for those interested:

- Catechesis for those preparing to become godparents, at list 40 days before;

- Catechesis for those seeking life in Christian marriage, including before the Sacrament of Matrimony (Wedding), at list half a year before;

- Catechesis for those seeking monastic life;

- Catechesis for those preparing to become parents;

- Fundamentals of Orthodox pedagogy;

- Personal aspects of Orthodox asceticism.

There is no fee for participants. Donations are welcomed.

Donations are available in US dollars (Personal or Business checks, Zelle, Wire transfer), Euros (Card or Wire transfer) and Russian rubles (Card Transfer). PayPal is also available as "Friend or Family" transactions, NOT "Donations". Please DO NOT donate thru PayPal with your credit or debit cards. Please contact with Fr. Arseny Manko with all possible issues with the donation process.

The possibility of US Tax deduction according to Federal 501(c)-3 status is coming soon.

Participants from the territory of Ukraine at the moment are asked to refrain from making donations for their own safety.

Helmsman /// кормчий