Micro-credential programme "Orthodox Church and Contemporary Challenges"

We invite participants to the international, English-taught micro-credential programme “Orthodox Church and Contemporary Challenges”, which aims to address, in the context of the history and theology of the Orthodox Church, the burning theological and societal issues of the modern age that challenge both the Orthodox Church and Western society as a whole.

This micro-credential programme includes courses focusing on topics such as ecological crisis and ecotheology, spirituality and new age, imperialist narratives, nationalism and etnophyletism, psychology and psychotherapy.

All lecturers are internationally well-known top specialists: Prof. John Chryssavgis, Dr. Nikolaos Asproulis, Assoc. Prof. Katerina Bauer, Prof. Cyril Hovorun, Prof. Brandon Gallaher, Prof. Ivana Noble, Dr. Aikaterini Tsalampouni, Dr. Grigorios Chrysostomos Tympas, Assoc. Prof. Vasileios Thermos, Prof. Aristotle Papanikolaou.

Registration has ended!


Why?

In light of the theology of the Orthodox Church and the historical context, this programme provides a comprehensive picture of the problems prevalent in contemporary society. Programme will enable the learner to adequately relate the knowledge acquired during the courses to practical life and to understand societal discourses and dynamics.

We welcome you to participate if:

  • you wish to discern the major historical and doctrinal trends in Orthodoxy;
  • you wish to acquire the most important concepts in Orthodoxy and to know how to use them.

Schedule: September 2025 to June 2026

Venue: online in the e-learning environment of the University of Tartu.

Total volume: 12 ECTS

Fee: EUR 650, payment is made in two parts (in each semester EUR 325).


Courses

More information about the course can be found in the Study Information System.

5.–6.09.2025Prof. Brandon Gallaher
1., 4.10.2025Prof. Cyril Hovorun
31.10.–1.11.2025Prof. Brandon Gallaher
28.–29.11.2025Prof. Cyril Hovorun

More information about the course can be found in the Study Information System.

19.–20.9.2025Prof. John Chryssavgis, Dr. Aikaterini Tsalampouni
17.–18.10.2025Dr. Nikolaos Asproulis
14.–15.11.2025Dr. Nikolaos Asproulis
12.–13.12.2025Dr. Aikaterini Tsalampouni

More information about the course can be found in the Study Information System.

6.–7.03.2026Prof. Aristotle Papanikolaou
24.–25.04.2026Prof. Ivana Noble
29.–30.05.2026Prof. Aristotle Papanikolaou
5.–6.06.2026Prof. Katerina Bauer

More information about the course can be found in the Study Information System.

20.–21.02.2026Dr. Grigorios Chrysostomos Tympas
20.–21.03.2026Assoc. Prof. Vasileios Thermo
17.–18.04.2026Dr. Grigorios Chrysostomos Tympas
8.–9.05.2026Assoc. Prof. Vasileios Thermo

The programme is coordinated in cooperation with University of Tartu School of Theology and Religious Studies, Volos Academy for Theological Studies and Orthodox Church of Estonia.