Ask now, and see… (Jer.30:6)
Спроси́те и рассуди́те... (Иер.30:6)
Course content and description
Please carefully read the materials in "Course Content and Description." This will help you understand what we are truly doing here, what is permitted to be done, and what must not be done.
No payment is required for the course, because the Lord Jesus Christ has plainly said:
"Freely you have received, freely give" (Matt. 10:8).
All offerings are given voluntarily and remain anonymous.
The aim of the course
The primary aim of this course is to enable participants to acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical skills of the Orthodox Christian faith. For each individual participant, the course is considered complete when there remain no significant questions regarding Whom exactly we believe in and why, who we are, where we are, and for what purpose, what our life’s aim is, and how precisely we are to pursue that aim daily in a practical manner. In the language of the Holy Apostles, this process was once called "catechesis". During the time of the Holy Apostles, it was unthinkable that a person who had not completed their catechumenate — that is, someone uncertain, lacking competence in their doctrine, and without any practical skills for living out that doctrine — would be admitted to the Eucharistic assembly of the faithful. Alas, what was once impossible has not only become possible but has now become a widespread practice. The course’s author believes it is vital that those who genuinely need and desire to discover what exactly is the doctrine of the Eastern Apostolic Church truly entails — thoughtfully articulated and embodied by the vast multitude of Russian Saints—should have this opportunity. It is never too late to pursue this while a person still lives on this earth. This course is equally important and useful for the very young and the very old persons. For those who were baptized long ago but lack the enlivening assurance, wholeness of their faith, and its daily practice, and who still have more questions than answers — we call that "restorative catechumenate". It is also for those who are only beginning to seek knowledge and understanding of the Orthodox Christian faith, regardless of where the seeker comes from — be it from another Christian confession, a different religion, or unbelief. The course is accessible to both ministry and laypeople.
The basis of the course
The foundation 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 in measure and alongside the reading and exposition of the Holy Scripture. It should be noted that, as we progress through the reading, several texts are necessarily employed due to their significant differences, particularly the Church Slavonic text and the Septuagint. To accompany these in "vernacular" languages, the so-called "Synodal" translation is used for Russian-speaking listeners, and the "International Standard Version" for English-speaking ones. The Book of Job is typically offered for reading and discussion during the season of Great Lent. The Psalter and the Book of Revelation are intended as separate, supplementary courses, for these books are exceedingly difficult to understand and require a serious, profound knowledge of the Holy Scripture.
Inclusions along the course
In anticipation of or immediately following the Great Lent, the Twelve Great Feasts, and certain other significant celebrations, the discussions are devoted to their meanings. At times, at the request of the group, entire conversations may be dedicated to answering questions about the material covered or addressing some other substantial matter.
INTERACTIVITY OF THE COURSE
The course is discussion-based and interactive at every turn. Indeed, this is precisely why it is called "conversations" rather than "lectures" or anything else. Questions, requests for clarification, or further explanation may be directed to the leader at any moment. The discussion of the material and personal spiritual experiences related to the course’s subject is warmly encouraged and, at times, even required. Listeners must understand beforehand that the only way to ensure that complex doctrinal categories are truly heard and rightly understood is through conversation, dialogue, and the interpretation of one’s own spiritual and life experiences in light of the knowledge imparted throughout the course.
AVAILABILITY OF THE COURSE, QUOTING
For a combination of reasons, the course is not posted and will never be posted in open access on the Internet. The technical protocol recording of the course is maintained by the organizers for the purposes of preserving the material, ensuring legal protection, and, if necessary, restoring the integrity of the material’s perception for participants who, due to highly compelling reasons, have missed a limited number of sessions. Issues regarding the re-broadcast of individual sessions are resolved privately with the course organizer or moderators.
Any audio or video recording of the course by participants or invited individuals, for any purpose, and especially the unauthorized dissemination of any portion of the course, for any purpose, is strictly prohibited and will be unequivocally prosecuted under copyright protection laws. Furthermore, such actions unequivocally violate the blessing of the First Hierarch of the ROCOR and constitute a clear and intentional sin.
Quotation is permitted only with separate written authorization from the rights holders.
LANGUAGE OF THE COURSE
The author and lecturer speaks English, but, alas, not proficiently enough to flawlessly select complex religious terminology or provide a sufficient array of figurative expressions, which are usually necessary to achieve a precise understanding of the material being presented. Holy Scripture itself employs highly figurative language and abounds with idioms. Certain passages of Scripture are already quite difficult to comprehend, and even more challenging to expound upon, due to the awkward nuances of translating from ancient Hebrew and Greek—languages separated from us by millennia of cultural differences. Our Savior Himself, in proclaiming His Gospel, drew upon Old Testament idioms and cultural references familiar in those days, and even He resorted to parables and analogies to reach the depths of human righteousness and kindle the beginnings of understanding. Ideally, such exposition should be undertaken not merely by someone who speaks a language, but by a native speaker—someone who, figuratively speaking, knows the songs and ancient national stories of the people to whom they preach.
This is why the course’s author hopes that someone might be found who is both interested in studying the course for themselves and willing to take up the salvific labor of assisting with translation—preferably live—into English. We are also striving to learn how to utilize the latest opportunities afforded by AI-based simultaneous translation services.
Anyone with the competence to assist with translation matters would be most welcome.
At present, due to a high volume of requests, the author will attempt to organize an English-speaking group. However, English-speaking participants must recognize the challenges involved and be prepared for the possibility that the course may take longer for them than their Russian counterparts.
Duration, schedule and timing
The estimated duration of the course is approximately four years. Classes are held once a week, except during the Easter and Christmas Holy Weeks, as well as the first and last weeks of Great Lent. The day of the week, excluding weekends, and the time are chosen by group consensus during the first and second sessions following the official closure of enrollment. At present, Thursdays and Fridays are occupied by groups from previous years, while Mondays are reserved for a course of the Gospels studies (in which all who wish, from any catechetical group, may participate).
Potential participants in the course must understand and recognize in advance that the decision to study their faith will require time, effort, and personal discipline. You can be absolutely certain that it is impossible to complete this journey more quickly—neither in terms of information nor in spiritual growth.
Naturally, over the course of such a long period, unavoidable absences from classes may occur for valid reasons. For these instances, the organizers have provided the opportunity to review individual sessions through recorded broadcasts, as an exceptional measure of compassionate assistance. However, it should be understood in advance that this is a rare and exceptional provision, as it requires the repeated personal involvement of the instructor or moderator, since the recordings are streamed rather than provided as files.
The course constitutes a monolithic, unbroken progression of events that sequentially led to God’s covenants with humanity—with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and the people of Israel—and to the present New Covenant of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, with Christians living today. The sequence of study leads any person to the ability to comprehend and personally experience this very logic for themselves, and thus to become steadfast in their own decisions, capable of instantly discerning not only spiritual truths but also any secular realities of human life—swiftly and with near-perfect accuracy.
That's why any missing classes, especially during the study of the Books of Genesis and Deuteronomy, leads to a complete lack of understanding of the entire course and renders the efforts of both the author and lecturer, as well as the participants, nearly fruitless. Please keep this in mind.
Those who doubt whether it is worth “spending so much time” on this course may either ask for personal testimonies from those who have been engaged in it for several years or choose to remain in the state they are currently in.
As each new group is formed, from the announcement of enrollment until the official closure of registration, the author conducts preliminary introductory meetings.
Additional potential courses
Additional opportunities and possible courses for those who desire them:
- Personal guidance for those preparing to become Christians, including the administration of the Sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation (available regions: the United States and Canada);
- Catechesis for those preparing to become godparents, beginning at least 40 days prior to participation in the Sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation;
- Catechesis for those seeking life in Christian marriage, including preparation for the Sacrament of Matrimony (Holy Crowning), beginning at least six months prior to participation in the Sacraments, and even better — before choosing a future spouse;
- Catechesis for those seeking the monastic life;
- Catechesis for those preparing to become parents;
- Fundamentals of Orthodox Christian pedagogy;
- Personal aspects of Orthodox Christian asceticism.
No payment is required for the course, because the Lord Jesus Christ has plainly said:
"Freely you have received, freely give" (Matt. 10:8).
All offerings are given voluntarily and remain anonymous.
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