Orthodox Studies

At All Saints we approach the subject of Orthodoxy in a balanced way. We impart to our students knowledge about our beliefs, traditions, and worship. We offer opportunities for students to practise what they learn in class. We try to inspire them to be real and active Christians in the Orthodox Church.

In Year 9, students study the History of the Church beginning with Pentecost, the establishment of the Church. Students learn about the life of the early Christians and the persecutions of the first three centuries. Students learn about the efforts of those in positions of influence to allow for religious freedom and hence, the worship of God without fear. The Ecumenical Councils were called to combat issues of heresies and many saintly personalities are studied such as St Constantine and St Athanasios. Once the Church is established, other issues arise such as the distancing of relations between the East and West which ultimately result in the Great Schism. The effects of the Crusades and Ottoman rule for four hundred years on the Orthodox Church are studied. Modern Church History is also looked at. It includes topics such as the Reformation in the West, the Revolutions against the Ottoman Empire, Asia Minor and the Church in Australia and the rest of the world.

In Year 10, students study ‘Faith and Worship’. They examine the meaning of many terms such as: Church, belief, faith, worship, doctrine, sacraments and creed, in order to receive a better understanding of their Faith. We follow the traditions, teachings and the Liturgical services as they are handed down from the Apostles and through the ages. Students are exposed to fundamental practices of our faith in order for them to apply these to their own lives. The Church calendar and Major Feast days, architecture, sacred vessels and vestments of the clergy are studied. The Nicene Creed and the key teachings deriving from it are studied in detail. The role of the priest and the Orthodox Christians in the Sacraments and other services of worship such as the Divine Liturgy are also studied in detail.

In both Year 9 and Year 10 students will study a variety of Sunday Gospel readings, the lives of saints and major feasts days as appropriate in the Church Calendar. Students will benefit from the sharing of personal spiritual experiences discussed during class time. They will also be given many opportunities for worshipping in the monthly Divine Liturgies where they may imitate the greatest models of our Faith – Jesus Christ and ‘All Saints’.