Course on Introduction to Orthodoxy 10/2026

The course covers the foundations of Orthodox ethics. How to live as an Orthodox Christian? The course instructor is Father Stefan Holm. Instruction is in Russian. The course receives financial support from the Orthodox Church of Finland.

Special price 150 €/OH1, 130 € per person OH2 including teaching, accommodation, and meals according to the program. No other discounts are offered.

Friday 9.10.

Arrival and accommodation at the monastery.

14.00 Lunch at the "Trapeza" cafe-restaurant. (Lounas)

15.45 Course opening.

16.00 Lecture 1.

17.00 Lecture 2.

18.00 Ninth Hour, Vespers, Small Compline and Canon.

19.30 Dinner. (Iltapala)

20.00 Lecture 3.

Saturday 10.10.

06.00 Midnight Office, Matins, Liturgy.

07.30 Breakfast starts

09.00 Lecture 4.

10.00 Lecture 5.

12.00 Moleben

12.30 Lunch. (Lounas)

13.30 Lecture 6.

15.00 Break.

15.30 Lecture 7.

18.00 All-Night Vigil.

20.00 Dinner. (Iltapala)

Sunday 11.10.

(07.30 Breakfast/Aamiainen)

09.00 Third Hour, Liturgy.

11.00 Lunch. (Lounas)

Rooms must be vacated by 12.00.

12.00 Final discussion.

13.30 Departure of participants.

During the services, Father Stephen will hear confessions, with the exception of the Sunday Divine Liturgy. The course instructor will tell you more about this.

LECTURE TOPICS

1. Introduction to Orthodox Ethics

• definition of the subject, basic concepts and terminology

• ethical systems

• foundations, content, and purpose of ethics

2. Christian Morality in General

• the moral state of man

• Christ as Redeemer and role model

3. Christian Ethics in Human Life

• man and God

• following Christ

• love for God

• love for neighbor

• love for oneself

• the path to blessedness

• the struggle against sin

• strengthening spiritual forces

4. Sexual Life and Marriage

• Christian marriage (including the history of the sacrament of crowning)

• Christian family

• ethics of marriage

• family and society

5. The Christian as a Citizen of the State

• homeland and peace

• responsibility for society

• respect for state authority

• Church and state

• war and peace

6. The Christian in the Modern World

• man and labor

• work ethics

• leisure

• wealth

• production and consumption

• man, science, and technology

• human life in one's own hands (suicide, abortion, euthanasia)

• ecology

7. The Purpose of Human Life: The Kingdom of God (Salvation)