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Mission Statement
The mission of the "Resurrection of Christ"
Theological Academy is to provide spiritual and academic formation for
clergy and lay Christian leaders through theological studies, liturgical
life, practical field ministry, and community living.
History of the Academy
Albania suffered the harshest religious
persecution of all the Communist dictatorships in Eastern Europe.
Albania was the only country in which all religious practice and
expression were outlawed.
During the years of severe oppression (1946-90), the Communist regime
totally eliminated the infrastructure of the Orthodox Church of Albania
and confiscated all church buildings, many of which were destroyed.
In the 1940's, more than 440 priests and deacons served the Orthodox
Church. By 1991, only 22 clergy
remained, of which four are alive today.
On February 7, 1992, Archbishop Anastasios
opened a theological seminary that would train a new group of men for
ordination and service in the Church. The first class of 45 students
began studies in an old, run-down hotel in Durres under difficult
conditions. Heat, water, and electricity were all in short supply.
In 1996, the school relocated to new
facilities in the village of St. Vlash, near Durres. Archbishop
Anastasios expanded the school's focus from clergy-oriented seminary to a
theological academy for both men and women. The first class of six
women entered the school in 1997.
By the year 2003, more than 180
students have graduated from the Academy. Of these graduates, 120
have been ordained as clergy, with 30 serving in other roles throughout
the Church.
Academic & School Life
The four-year academic program includes
courses in Old Testament, New Testament, Dogmatics, Patrology, Ethics,
Liturgics, Church History, Philosophy, Canon Law, Preaching, Catechism,
Pastoral Care, World Religions, Missiology, Byzantine Music, Field
Education, Computers, and one foreign language (students choose English or
Greek.)
Along with the academic program, students
participate daily in the liturgical life of the school. This
includes attendance at the daily service of Matins, Vespers, and Compline,
as well as weekly spiritual discussions and periodic seminars.
At least once a week, students are
involved in field education programs, including catechism in ten
surrounding villages, and pastoral visits to the local institutions -- two
schools for handicapped children, and orphanage, a school for the blind,
an old age home, and adolescent prison, and the the hospital.
For recreational activities, the academy
has a volleyball court, and an indoor game room.
Administrative & Teaching Staff
The Resurrection of Christ
Theological Academy operates under the oversight of the Holy Synod of the
Orthodox Church of Albania, with His Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios,
serving as president. Twelve theologically trained men and women
from Albania, Greece, and the United States presently serve on the
faculty. Along with these countries, over the past years, we have
also had visiting faculty from Great Britain, Kenya, and South Africa.
 Academic
Scholarship
All candidates accepted by the
school are awarded scholarships from His Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios.
This annual scholarship covers all school expenses. Students must
maintain an acceptable academic level and standard of personal conduct in
order for the scholarship to be renewed each year.
Location & Faculties
The Theological Academy is located
at St. Vlash Monastery near the city of Durres. Built in 1996, the
multifunctional complex is one of the most impressive and modern schools
in Albania and includes a chapel, library, classrooms, computer room,
media center, refectory, recreation center, and men's dormitory.
Women students are housed in quarters above St. George Church in Durres.
Future Development
Future plans include expanding the
program of studies, with a vision to raise academic standards to the level
of a state-accredited university institution. An important step
towards this will be the development of an adequate library for serious
academic and theological study and research. Additional classrooms,
an auditorium, and a women's dormitory are also in the plans.
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