Classes Begin for MThA Postgraduate Students 

On September 2, 2025, introductory sessions and the inaugural lecture for MThA postgraduate students took place at St. Andrew’s Monastery in Moscow.

As part of the event, first-year postgraduate students met with Archpriest Maxim Kozlov, Chairman of the Education Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church, and Abbot Dionysios (Shlenov), Abbot of St. Andrew’s Monastery and Head of the MThA Postgraduate School.

The day began with a communal prayer during the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of the Word at St. Andrew’s Monastery. The Liturgy was led by Abbot Dionysios (Shlenov), who was joined by faculty members and postgraduate students in holy orders. 

Following the Gospel reading, the Abbot addressed the congregation and students with a sermon on "silence for the sake of theology." 

Father Dionysios emphasised: "To engage in theology, silence is necessary. To engage in theology, solitude is necessary. To engage in theology, one requires a deeply peaceful heart which, like a mirror, can reflect divine meanings."

Later, in the postgraduate assembly hall, Archpriest Maxim Kozlov delivered a welcoming address. The Chairman of the Education Committee congratulated the students on the start of the academic year and their admission to the postgraduate program. He wished them success in their research and stressed that the ultimate goal of their studies should be a Candidate of Theology dissertation that addresses relevant theological issues and provides practical value for the Russian Orthodox Church. 

Following the official portion, Abbot Dionysios delivered a lecture dedicated to the saint commemorated on September 2: "Prophet Samuel in the Patristic and Byzantine Tradition." In the Patristic tradition, Samuel is seen as a prophet who beholds the future (according to St. Gregory the Theologian and other authors). Thus, the Prophet Samuel can be considered a special patron of the ascetic and mystical theology of the Orthodox Church.

At the conclusion of the lecture, Associate Professor Deacon Dionysios Makarov, Deputy Head of the Postgraduate School, briefed the first-year students on the specifics of the educational process, which is organized according to the Federal State Requirements for postgraduate scientific and pedagogical training. The Deputy Head also discussed the methods of monitoring research progress and the process of writing dissertations, urging the students to be diligent in their scholarly pursuits.

The first day concluded with a festive meal for students and faculty, followed by a brief tour of St. Andrew’s Monastery.

MThA Press Office