Angus Dei Theological Seminary Seminary of The Evangelical Orthodox Catholic Church in America Seminary Catalog 2019-2020 1 WELCOME TO AGNUS DEI THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Explore ~ Imagine ~ Engage LET YOUR FAITH GUIDE YOU AS YOU SERVE THOSE IN NEED AUTHENTIC INDEPENDENT ORTHODOX (OLD) CATHOLIC SEMINARY est. 1974 2 Agnus Dei Theological Seminary The Evangelical Orthodox (Old) Catholic Church in America Serving all Metropolitan Archdioceses, Dioceses, and Religious Communities of The Evangelical Orthodox (Old) Catholic Church in America Catalog approved by: The Metropolitan Archbishop Primate The Most Reverend Allen W. Zaugg, S.T.D., Th.D., D.D. Agnus Dei Theological Seminary President The Most Reverend Dr. Robert F. Jangro, O.SS.T., O.C.R. Our Lady of Grace Publications Copyright ©2019-2020 NOTE: The Evangelical Orthodox (Old) Catholic Church in America is often referred to as simply The Evangelical Orthodox Catholic Church in America, or EOCCA. The terms are used interchangeably in this catalog. Our Lady of Grace Publications Milwaukie, Oregon 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Page 6 Agnus Dei Theological Seminary Overview Page 8 What is the difference between a Theological Seminary and a Divinity School? Page 8 Church-Based Theological Seminary Education Page 8 Main Features of Agnus Dei Theological Seminary Page 9 Our Mission Page 9 Accreditation – Authorization Page 9 Disclaimer Page 10 Academic Programs Page 12 Program Design and Tracks Page 12 Why a track? Page 12 Degree Offerings Page 13 Assignments and Examinations Page 14 Grading Page 14 Faculty and Staff Page 16 Message from Our Seminary President Page 17 Message from Our Metropolitan Archbishop Primate Page 19 Track 1 – Diocesan Priesthood or Permanent Diaconate Page 22 Curriculum for Ordination to the Priesthood (Diocesan) Page 22 Track 1 - General Master of Divinity or Licentiate of Sacred Theology Degree Page 23 Requirements Pastoral Internship Page 23 Master of Divinity Curriculum (Track 1 – Diocesan Priesthood) Page 24 Ordination Review Board Information Page 25 Track 1 - Curriculum for Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate (Diocesan) Page 28 Permanent Diaconate Page 28 What is the Permanent Diaconate Program? Page 28 The Diaconate Program of Formation Page 28 Other Criteria Page 29 Licentiate of Sacred Theology Curriculum Page 29 (Track 1 – Diocesan Permanent Diaconate) 4 Track 2 – Consecrated (Religious) Priesthood or Permanent Diaconate Page 31 Curriculum for Ordination to the Priesthood or Permanent Diaconate Page 31 (Consecrated/Religious) Ordination Page 31 Ministerial Formation Program Page 31 Incardination Page 32 Introduction to Clergy Formation Program Page 33 The Sacrament of Holy Orders Page 33 Formation of Holy Orders Page 33 Ordination to Holy Orders Page 35 Clerical Incardination (Religious Community) Page 35 Personal and Financial Responsibility Page 35 Core Academic Process Page 36 Course Abbreviations Page 36 Spiritual Formation Program Page 36 Diaconate Formation Program Page 37 Priesthood Formation Program Page 39 Supplemental/Practicum/Internship Process Page 40 Supplemental Course Abbreviations Page 40 Traditional Catholic Minor and Major Orders Page 41 Course Bibliography (Texts) Page 43 5 INTRODUCTION Training and study for Holy Orders was first mandated and established for the Church (The Evangelical Orthodox Catholic Church in America) in March of 1945 through legal incorporation in the State of California. In 2003, updating and re-organization of the Seminary program was established by official mandate under the patronage of our Lord Jesus Christ the Teacher. On April 30, 2019, Christ the Teacher Seminary of Milwaukie, Oregon; Ave Maria Theological Seminary of Fayetteville, Georgia; and Saint Anthony House School of Biblical Theology of Nashua, Montana entered into a Corporate Agreement of merging all three Seminaries and Theological Schools into one entity, now officially named Agnus Dei Theological Seminary. The program is designed to provide each student with the understanding of their role within the Minor and Major Holy Orders as upheld by The Evangelical Orthodox Catholic Church in America. In the process, those accepted as candidates/postulants for the Major Holy Orders will be well prepared to lead in the ministry to which they have been called to by God. Presently, the Seminary is open to any student that meets one of the following criteria: 1. Those students who are seeking, or are in, Holy Orders within The Evangelical Orthodox Catholic Church in America; 2. Those students who are seeking, or are in, Holy Orders within a Jurisdiction that has signed an Understanding of Full Communion or Intercommunion with The Evangelical Orthodox Catholic Church in America; 3. Those students who are seeking, or are in Holy Orders, but do not fit in either category 1 or 2 above, whose Bishop has made a formal request in writing to the Seminary on behalf of the student. The Seminary program is primarily one of correspondence. Each student starts their program of study when it is appropriate for them. They can move along within the program as fast or as slow as they need in order to learn the course material. The only time limit set within the program is that a seminarian must complete at least one course every three months. If the candidate finds it necessary to take longer than three months, the Seminary President, Dean of Academic Affairs, and/or the Faculty has the authority to approve extensions depending on the reason and the need of the candidate and their individual circumstances. Within the Seminary program, one is prepared both intellectually through academic studies in various areas, and spiritually through the verbal instructions for the various levels of Holy Orders. It is very important that one develops a spiritual level that is commensurate with their academic level within the Seminary program. The Evangelical Orthodox Catholic Church in America and Agnus Dei Theological Seminary does not discriminate in regard to Holy Orders on the basis of gender or marital status. Presently, Holy Orders are open to both male and female. Only the Episcopate at present is held for males only. This is in standing with ancient tradition of the church as founded by Christ and awaiting action by a united synod rather than by this individual jurisdiction of the Church Catholic. Agnus Dei Theological Seminary functions as both a correspondence (distance learning) and a resident program, depending upon the student’s or seminarian’s place of residence. Therefore, the application process, acceptance process, and the educational process is the same as it would be if one was to attend a larger college or university. This means that we are very serious about our education and formation of 6 seminarians who wish to serve in God’s vineyard as priests. In this process, the application is long and extensive, thus giving the Seminary Faculty and Administration an understanding of who our prospective candidates are. Further, the application requires one to write several essays to help discern the candidate’s call to serve the Lord. Also, a letter of recommendation from someone who has known the individual candidate for at least 5 years or more is needed and who is willing to attest to their (your) character. This can be either a close friend or a former Pastor. Along with this process, all prospective candidates will be asked to submit to a criminal and financial background check. Those with criminal pasts may be denied entry into the Seminary Program based upon the severity of their offense(s). Financial matters may be discussed with the Metropolitan Archbishop Primate, Metropolitan Archbishop, or Bishop and the Seminary President at the time of one's meeting. Along with the aforementioned, the application process, criminal and financial background checks, each student (seminarian) will be required to have an interview with the Archbishop or Bishop of the jurisdiction and/or religious community that they are applying for. All previous religious college courses are evaluated as to their acceptance toward one of our required courses. Please know that just because you are accepted into the Seminary Program, does not mean you will be automatically ordained to any of the Minor or Major Holy Orders. Only the Archbishop or Bishop can make that final determination based upon the recommendation of the Seminary Faculty and Staff, as well as the other Priests of the jurisdiction. It is expected that the candidate will develop a close spiritual relationship with the Faculty and Staff and with their (one's) Archbishop and Bishop. This is the only way that we will know of one's actual spiritual development. Both the Faculty and Staff, and the Archbishop and Bishop are here to help one (you) to grow and be prepared to become a priest both spiritually and intellectually. 7 AGNUS DEI THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OVERVIEW What is the difference between a Theological Seminary and a Divinity School? A Theological Seminary educates students for leadership roles in Christian ministry, such as pastors, missionaries, church planters, counselors, and other avenues of service to the Church. Its curriculum places strong emphasis on study and understanding of the Bible and theology, spiritual formation, and practical tools for church ministry. A Divinity School is usually affiliated with a university. Like a law or medical school, a divinity school is essentially a theological division within a larger university. Its students can take courses unrelated to theological education. Some are more focused on the academic study of religion and Christianity, preparing students to serve in academic, religious and non-sectarian settings, while others are more pastorally- focused. At Agnus Dei Theological Seminary, we take pride in offering: Church-Based Theological Seminary Education: A relatively recent trend is the development of seminaries by churches. Still rare in the U.S., these schools may offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees that prepare students to understand and apply the Biblical understanding and theology in vocational ministry. Typically, they are not accredited.