The Iconography Concentration is available to students in the Certificate and MTS programs. There are three courses specific to the Iconography Concentration, listed below in green, with asterisks (*). These Iconography courses are not theology courses in an academic sense, but art courses, in an academic sense. That is, students will actually be painting icons, beginning with the Face of Christ, or the Holy Tile (Napkin), and to paint the Face of Christ is theology most sublime. There are no papers to write; we will write icons. Therefore, some background in painting and/or drawing is expected and will be very useful.
Courses Required for Iconography Concentration
Unit I:
• Fundamentals I: An Introduction to Orthodoxy
• Church History I: The Christian Church from Its Foundation through the Seventh Century
• Liturgical Theology I: Introduction to Liturgical Theology, Baptism and Eucharist
Unit II:
• Church History II: The Orthodox Church from the Seventh Century to 1453
• Holy Scripture I: Old Testament
• Iconography I*
• Project I
Unit III:
• Holy Scripture II: New Testament
• Patristics: The Fathers of the Church During the First Five Hundred Years
• Iconography II*
Unit IV:
• Doctrine I: The Doctrine of Knowledge In the Tradition of the Church
• Pastoral Theology I
• Project II
Unit V:
• Doctrine II: The Orthodox Doctrine of the Holy Trinity
• Canon Law: The Canon Law of the Orthodox Church
• Iconography III*
Unit VI (Master’s students only):
• Master’s Thesis
*courses specific to the Iconography concentration
Review the Application Process or Apply Now.
Directed-Project Courses
The directed-project courses of the Byzantine Iconology Concentration are offered in the spring semester of each year (Units II, IV) and will generally address a particular need in the area of Iconography. They will include a proposal submitted for approval to the Iconography Program Director and the Projects Director; the directed Project itself; and a Project paper with supporting detail.
Residency
An intensive week-long Residency takes place in late August or early September at the start of the first two academic years, and is held at the Antiochian VIllage Conference & Retreat Center in western Pennsylvania.
Program Completion
Students who successfully complete the required coursework, and who hold a Bachelor’s degree, may choose to pursue a Master’s thesis, leading to the degree of Master of Theological Studies. Students who do not wish to pursue the Master’s degree will receive the St. Stephen’s Certificate in Orthodox Theology.
Master’s Thesis
Master’s students who successfully complete the required coursework, and who satisfy the other prerequisites, may enter the final phase of their program which includes research and thesis composition focusing on a practical application of Orthodox Theology. Master’s students will also be enrolled in a thesis-preparatory course titled “Master’s Thesis: Sources and Methods” which covers:
- Presentation of a Thesis Proposal (abstract)
- Thesis research and preparation
- Thesis approval process and deadlines
- Completion and defense of the Master’s Thesis
For more information, please review the Application Process or Apply Now.
