Theological seminaries in Moscow and Russia

This article is a work in progress and is in the process of being finalized.

Moscow Theological Seminary

Jurisdiction: Russian Orthodox Church

Year founded:
1760
Place:
Sergiev Posad, Russia
Leaders: Ambrose (Ermakov), Vladimir (Sabodan), Hermogenes (Kozhin), Mikhail Antonovich Denisenko, Evgeniy (Reshetnikov)… see further Teachers: Ambrose (Ermakov), Andronik (Trubachev) , Burega Vladimir Viktorovich, Vasilenko Leonid Ivanovich, Vasily (Rodzianko)… see more Graduates: Alexander (Drabinko), Ambrosy (Ermakov), Andronik (Trubachev), Anthony (Pakanich), Arseny (Sokolov)… see more

Educational establishments

(1760 - ) - theological seminary of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Address: Russia, 141300, Moscow region, Sergiev Posad, Lavra, Academy.

Official site

teachers

Over the years the MDS taught:

Serapion (Alexandrovsky) (09/23/1770 - 1775?)
Sergius (Spassky), prof. 1861 -
Ignatius (Rozhdestvensky), prof. 1861 -
Blagorazumov Nikolai Vasilievich 1862 -
Belyaev Nikolai Vasilievich 1869 - 1892
Afanasy (Kudyuk) 1952 - 1955
Pimen (Khmelevsky) 1953 - 1955
Simon (Novikov) 1959 - 1963
Anatoly (Kuznetsov) 1960
Alexander (Timofeev) 09/01/1971 -
Asmus Valentin Valentinovich 1978
Innocent (Prosvirnin)
Shirinkin Alexey
Georgy (Tertyshnikov) 09.1988 - 1998
Savva (Bazyuk) 08/25/1988

Ambrosy (Ermakov), Andronik (Trubachev), Burega Vladimir Viktorovich, Vasilenko Leonid Ivanovich, Vasily (Rodzianko), Velikanov Pavel Ivanovich, Georgy (Gryaznov), Hermogenes (Kozhin), Denisenko Mikhail Antonovich, Evgeny (Reshetnikov), Hilarion (Alfeev) , Kliment (Kapalin), Kozlov Maxim Evgenievich, Konstantin (Goryanov), Kuraev Andrey Vyacheslavovich, Lydogovsky Fedor Borisovich, Ogitsky Dmitry Petrovich, Peter (Eremeev), Pokrovsky Alexander Ivanovich, Popov Nikolay Grigorievich, Ruzhitsky Konstantin Ivanovich, Skurat Konstantin Efimovich, Talyzin Vladimir Ivanovich, Filaret (Vakhromeev), Tsypin Vladislav Alexandrovich, Shmaliy Vladimir Vladimirovich, Vakhrushev Mikhail Stepanovich, Georgy (Tertyshnikov), Elevfery (Didenko), Zaitsev Alexey Alekseevich, Lapidus Ioann Eduardovich, Maksimov Georgy Valerievich, Melety (Sokolov), Orlov Ioann Vasilievich, Pentkovsky Alexey Mstislavovich, Sokolov Petr Nikolaevich, Timofey (Podobedov), Yakimchuk Zotik Savvich

Theological seminaries in Moscow and the Moscow region

There are several educational institutions in the capital where you can receive religious education. According to the admission rules, admission to the theological seminary in Moscow is possible only for men of a certain age (18-35 years old). This also applies to other seminaries in the country.

Moscow Theological Seminary (Sergiev Posad)

It is part of the Moscow Theological Academy. Allows you to receive education at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the following areas:

Theology.
Training of ministers and religious personnel.

The academy also operates a postgraduate course.

Kolomna Theological Seminary

One of the leading theological universities in the Russian Federation, its history dates back to 1723. Thanks to the construction of new buildings, it can accommodate a fairly large number of students: up to 150 full-time students and 700 part-time students.

In addition to training in basic specialties, at the seminary you can also receive specialized training in:

advanced training courses for clergy;
biblical and theological courses;
missionary and catechetical courses.

The seminary is also famous for its choir: it is part of the choir of the clergy of the Moscow diocese.

Sretensky Theological Seminary

It was opened relatively recently (in 1999) and is located on the territory of the Sretensky Monastery. One of the first among theological seminaries in Moscow to switch to the Bologna education system. In addition to the main areas of bachelor's degree, there are also master's programs in three specialties:

Pastoral theology.
Christian teaching about state and society.
Church Slavonic language.

Here, special attention is paid to meetings between students and the leadership of the seminary: pastoral conversations are regularly held with the rector and confessors, who tell the seminarians about pastoral life.

Pererva Theological Seminary

The seminary operates:

Faculty of Theology and Pastoral Studies;
catechist department.

Teachers and seminarians participate in the scientific life of the Russian Orthodox Church, and are also engaged in social and educational activities.

The leadership of the seminary actively uses information technology: in addition to a convenient and informative website with a 3D virtual tour, the university also has a YouTube channel.

Nikolo-Ugreshskaya Theological Seminary

The seminary, located in Dzerzhinsk, began its work in 1999: until that moment, a theological school operated on the basis of the monastery. Bachelor's (theology and ministerial training) and master's programs are available:

Theology.
History of the Russian Church.

Spiritual and educational courses “The Hidden World of Orthodoxy” are also organized, where teachers and students help secular people discover the Holy Scriptures, traditions and laws of spiritual life.

Graduates

Alexander (Drabinko), Ambrosy (Ermakov), Andronik (Trubachev), Antony (Pakanich), Arseny (Sokolov), Arkhipov Vladimir Mikhailovich, Balashov Nikolay Vladimirovich, Borisov Alexander Ilyich, Burega Vladimir Viktorovich, Velikanov Pavel Ivanovich, Victor (Mamontov), Vishnevsky Pavel Sergeevich, Vladimir (Kotlyarov), Vorobyov Vladimir Nikolaevich, Vyzhanov Igor Evgenievich, Georgy (Gryaznov), Dobrov Sergey Alexandrovich, Dudko Dmitry Sergeevich, Evgeny (Reshetnikov), Zvonarev Sergiy Leonidovich, Hilarion (Alfeev), Ilia (Gudushauri-Shiolashvili) , Ioann (Roshchin), Irinarh (Grezin), Karpenko Alexander Petrovich, Kliment (Kapalin), Kozlov Maxim Evgenievich, Kolomeytsev Petr Leonidovich, Komarov Konstantin Mikhailovich, Konstantin (Goryanov), Korytko Oleg Vitalievich, Krekshin Andrey Nikolaevich, Kuraev Andrey Vyacheslavovich, Kyrlezhev Alexander Ivanovich, Lapshin Vladimir Nikolaevich, Longin (Korchagin), Lorgus Andrey Vadimovich, Lyubimov Mikhail Ivanovich, Lydogovsky Fedor Borisovich, Mark (Golovkov), Makhno Lev Pavlovich, Melchizedek (Lebedev), Meshchersky Konstantin Ivanovich, Mirtov Ivan Konstantinovich, Nelyubov Boris Alexandrovich, Nikandr (Kovalenko), Nikolay (Kutepov), Novikov Anatoly Vasilievich, Ozeretskovsky Sergey Ivanovich, Ostapov Alexey Danilovich... the following results, Agapov Alexy Viktorovich, Abramov Alexander Alexandrovich, Alexy (Polikarpov), Amelin Alexander Yuryevich, Ambrosy (Matsegora), Balashov Boris Alekseevich , Brylev Georgy Valentinovich, Borisov Antony Alexandrovich, Breev Georgy Pavlovich, Bartholomew (Remov), Vakhrushev Mikhail Stepanovich, Varsonofy (Dumkin), Vitaly (Utkin), Vikenty (Morar), Gabriel (Kulikov), Gennady (Voitishko), Georgy (Tertyshnikov) ), Geronimus Alexander Yuryevich, Gostev Alexy Olegovich, Gorbachev Anatoly Petrovich, Gordun Sergiy Alekseevich, Danilenko Boris Olegovich, Divakov Vladimir Ivanovich, Dionisy (Shishigin), Dronov Valentin Zinovievich, Dudko Mikhail Dmitrievich, Emelyanov Alexy Nikolaevich, Zadornov Alexander Vladimirovich, Ivanov Mikhail St Epanovich , Jonah (Zaimovsky), John (Kopeikin), Kaleda Kirill Glebovich, Kasatkin Petr Igorevich, Kirill (Sakharov), Kiriak (Temertsidi), Kokin Ilya Anatolyevich, Kudinkin Boris Sergeevich, Krylov Georgy Lvovich, Krasnotsvetov Pavel Grigorievich, Laskin Dimitri Aleksandrovich, Lapidus Ioann Eduardovich, Lebedev Lev Alekseevich, Lavrin Alexander Vladimirovich, Lizgunov Pavel Olegovich, Melety (Sokolov), Mikhailov Boris Borisovich, Murashov Nikolay Ivanovich, Nikifor (Kirzin), Oleg (Cherepanin), Onisim (Bamblevsky) ... the following results

Theological seminaries in Russia - list 2022

In addition to the universities of the capital, the following educational institutions occupy high positions in the ranking of theological seminaries of the Russian Federation.

St. Petersburg Theological Seminary

One of the leading seminaries in the country has now become part of the St. Petersburg Theological Schools complex. Its history dates back to the 18th century; theological courses at the seminary operated even during the times of the Soviet Union. Today the structure of the university includes:

bachelor's degree;
master's degree;
graduate school;
regency and icon painting department;
faculty of foreign students.

The university has its own publishing house, publishes several academic journals, and teachers are actively working on textbooks.

Saratov Theological Seminary

Organized in 1830, today it occupies a leading position in the ranking of theological seminaries in Russia. Provides training in the areas of “theology” and “ministerial training” at the undergraduate level. For those who cannot study full-time, there is a Distance Learning Sector.

Particular attention in the educational process of the university is paid to liturgical practice: students perform singing and sexton obedience in the seminary church, and deliver sermons for parishioners.

Penza Theological Seminary

You can also get an education in the main spiritual directions at the seminary of the Penza Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. In addition to teaching and social work, teachers and seminarians are engaged in scientific activities: the university is the organizer of the International Scientific and Practical Conference “Christianity and Pedagogy”.

In addition, the seminary annually hosts the Sretensky Ball and the St. George Festival: such events attract the attention of the region’s youth to spiritual life.

Yekaterinburg Theological Seminary

One of the leading universities in the list of theological seminaries in Russia is located in the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Yekaterinburg. This applies here:

Pastoral and theological department.
Regency Department.
Singing courses.

The seminary also operates a training center for church specialists with evening courses. Both men and women of the Orthodox confession are accepted there.

Orenburg Theological Seminary

At the Orenburg Seminary you can receive not only higher education (bachelor's, master's levels), but also secondary vocational education - the educational program "church choir director".

The seminary has a good material and technical base: a comfortable dormitory, a library of Orthodox literature, multimedia classrooms, computer classes. The university provides seminarians with everything they need for sports and creativity.

In addition to the above list of theological seminaries in Russia, there are also seminaries of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine (Kharkov, Odessa, Sumy), Belarus, Moldova, France and the USA. This makes it possible for residents of other countries to join the values of the Orthodox faith.

Rules for admission to theological seminaries in Russia may vary. In the previous article we talked about how to enter such universities. And if after admission you need help with your studies, contact the student service. Its experts will explain a complex topic or tell you how to properly prepare a study paper.

Russian spiritual literature

The main goal of the profile is to prepare a specialist in the field of the Slavic-Russian literary and theological tradition of the Orthodox Church.

In accordance with this goal, professional training of students on our profile is carried out in three directions:

1. Literary and theological. The main task of the profile is to acquaint students with the content of the monuments of Slavic-Russian church literature. Therefore, a number of disciplines are devoted to a detailed analysis of the main stages of its development, as well as analysis of its most significant themes, problems, ideas (theological, religious-philosophical, moral, social, etc.) The subjects that perform this task are the following:

History of Russian church literature (XI – XX centuries)
History and textual criticism of the Slavic Bible
Historical and philological analysis of ascetic and theological Slavic literature (IX - XVII centuries)
Historical and theoretical foundations of the course “Hagiography and Hagiology”
Hymnography in the Slavic-Russian church tradition (IX – XVIII centuries)
Poetics of liturgical literature in the Slavic tradition
Liturgical and canonical writing in the Slavic tradition (IX – XVIII centuries): history, textual criticism, source study
Liturgical texts and collections of private prayer: history, textual criticism, source study

In addition, special attention is paid to the religious and moral issues of works of Russian and foreign classics:

Religious issues of Russian literature (XVIII – XX centuries)
Religious issues of foreign literature
Reception of the Christian tradition in Russian and foreign literature

The scientific and methodological basis for working with sources, their adequate interpretation, is provided by such subjects as:

Introduction to Literary Studies
Philological text analysis
Source study and methods of scientific activity
History and methodology of modern literary criticism (religious and philosophical aspect)

2. Linguistic. In order to learn how to work with texts of tradition at a highly professional level, it is necessary to be familiar not only with the content of monuments of church literature, but also with the features of their form, that is, language.

In this regard, one of the tasks of the department is to acquaint students with the main stages of development of the language of Church Slavonic writing based on the material of monuments of Church Slavonic and Old Russian literature, from the 9th to the 18th centuries.

As a result, the student must learn to identify those specific features that attribute a given Church Slavonic text to a particular historical period; be able to read, understand, translate, publish it; and also, if necessary, independently create text in Church Slavonic.

Items that perform this task are the following:

History of the language of Church Slavonic writing (IX – XVIII centuries)
History of the Russian literary language
Slavic-Russian paleography
Fundamentals of Slavic-Russian textual criticism
Comprehensive analysis of Church Slavonic texts
Modern Russian language: phonetics, lexicology, word formation, morphology, syntax
Ancient Greek language

3. Practical . Since the majority of graduates of theological schools subsequently take holy orders, a number of disciplines have been introduced at the department, which, on the one hand, are an integral attribute in preparing a specialist in the field of Slavic-Russian literature, on the other hand, they contribute to the development of knowledge, skills and abilities that will be necessary to the future shepherd in the matter of his priestly ministry.

These are courses such as:

Public speaking practice

Analytics and speechwriting (professional writing of texts for public speaking)
Fundamentals of rhetorical-critical analysis of church literature
Literary methods of interpreting Holy Scripture

In accordance with the above goals and objectives, the department is expected to write master's research in the following areas (the list can be expanded):

Slavic-Russian church literature (works of the Church Fathers and church authors)
Hagiology and hagiography
History and textual criticism of the Slavic Bible
History of the Church Slavonic language
Linguistic history of Church Slavonic worship
Church eloquence
Religious and moral issues of foreign and Russian classical literature
Theory of literature (in its philosophical and theological aspect)

There is always the opportunity to formulate a topic in accordance with your scientific interests.

Entrance tests for the department are carried out in the form of an exam in the History of Russian Literature and the Church Slavonic language.

To enroll in the Russian Spiritual Literature major, writing a bachelor's thesis on the subject of the major is not required (but is certainly encouraged).

We will be glad to see as students in our department seminary graduates who are interested in the Church Slavonic language and its history, literary and theological monuments of Church Slavonic writing, and religious issues of world and Russian classical literature.

The profile makes it possible to undergo a preliminary propaedeutic course.