Doctoral Dissertation Defense Held at MThA's Joint Council
On 12 May 2025, in the Elizabethan Hall of the Moscow Theological Academy (MThA), the Joint Doctoral Dissertation Council of the Moscow, St. Petersburg, Minsk, and Sretensk Theological Academies hosted the defense of the doctoral dissertation by R.M. Rupova, Doctor of Philosophical Sciences and Associate Professor at the Departments of Theology and Biblical Studies of MThA, seeking the degree of Doctor of Theology.
The topic of the dissertation was "Theological Understanding of the Modern Natural Science Paradigm." The text of the work, abstract and reviews are available on the MThA website.
The text of the work, abstract and reviews are available on the MThA website.
The session was chaired by Bishop Seraphim of Istra, Doctor of Theology, Professor.
The Academic Secretary was Hierodeacon Georgy (Ramadyan), Candidate of Theology, Associate Professor of the Department of Church History at the MThA.
The academic supervisor for Rozalia Moiseevna was O.D. Agapov, Doctor of Philosophical Sciences, Professor at the Kazan Theological Seminary, Professor at the Private Educational Institution of Higher Education "Kazan Innovative University named after V.G. Timiryasov."
The official opponents were:
- Bishop Methodius (Zinkovsky) of Yegoryevsk, Doctor of Theology, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Abbot of the Nikolo-Ugreshsky Stavropegial Monastery, Rector of St. Tikhon's Orthodox University for the Humanities, Vicar of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus'.
- P.A. Olkhov, Doctor of Philosophical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Socio-Theological Faculty named after Metropolitan Macarius (Bulgakov) of Moscow and Kolomna at Belgorod State National Research University.
- A.V. Mikhailovsky, Doctor of Philosophical Sciences, Associate Professor, Senior Researcher at the School of Philosophy and Cultural Studies, Faculty of Humanities, National Research University Higher School of Economics.
The leading organization (reviewing institution) was the religious organization – spiritual educational institution of higher education "St. Petersburg Theological Academy of the Russian Orthodox Church." The review was prepared by L.F. Shekhovtsova, Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor of the Department of Church-Practical Disciplines.
Additional reviews of the dissertation and abstract were also received from:
- Bishop Pitirim (Tvorogov) of Skopinsky and Shatsky, Candidate of Theology, Diocesan Bishop of the Skopinsky Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church.
- Archpriest Sergius Shkuro, Candidate of Theology, Head of the Department of Theology and Philosophy at the Kazan Orthodox Theological Seminary.
- G.P. Otyutsky, Doctor of Philosophical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Contemporary Axiological Problems and Religious Thought at the Russian State Social University.
- S.A. Chursanov, Candidate of Theology, Candidate of Philosophical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Systematic Theology and Patrology at the Faculty of Theology of St. Tikhon's Orthodox University for the Humanities.
- T.G. Chelovenko, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Theology, Religious Studies, and Cultural Aspects of National Security at the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "Oryol State University named after I.S. Turgenev."
- Major General N.A. Lishin of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Theological Faculty of St. John the Theologian Russian Orthodox University, Deputy Head of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, Member of the Presidium of the Scientific Expert Council of the Security Council of Russia.
Following a secret ballot, 13 members of the dissertation council voted in favor of awarding R.M. Rupova the academic degree of Doctor of Theology, with two voting against.
Congratulations to Rozalia Moiseevna on the successful defense of her dissertation!
MThA Press Office