Slonim Theological Seminary Regent upon admission. Slonim Theological School

Since 2001, the Orsha branch of the Vitebsk Theological School has existed in our city. All these years, classes were held in the evening form of education and the students were mainly residents of the city or the nearest suburbs, but since the 2011/2012 academic year, the situation has changed somewhat ...
Due to the fact that by the decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church dated May 30, 2011, the theological and pastoral department of the Vitebsk Theological School was transformed into the Vitebsk Theological Seminary (a higher educational institution of the Russian Orthodox Church), the Vitebsk Theological School is moved at the location of the school's branch to the city of Orsha ... The school is located in a comfortable building at the address: st. Sovetskaya, d. 7. On the eve of the Day of Knowledge, we had our conversation with the vice-rector
theological school by Father Vyacheslav, rector of the Church of the Nativity of Christ. - Please tell us who is accepted into an Orthodox theological school and what are the requirements for applicants?
- Both men and women are admitted to the school. There are no age restrictions for applicants. Applicants to the school are subjected to admission tests in the foundations of the Orthodox faith, Sacred history, write an exposition on a church history topic, and also undergo an interview. Applicants are required to know certain prayers. Applicants must have the skill of reading in the Church Slavonic language. Psalm choir directors entering the department are tested for their musical ear. Applicants to the department of icon painting must submit their work to the selection committee. - What do you need to enroll in a school?
- Those wishing to enter an Orthodox theological school must submit the following documents to the chancellery: 1) a petition addressed to the rector; 2) the recommendation of the parish priest (for applicants from other dioceses - certified by the ruling bishop); 3) a questionnaire (filled in when submitting documents); 4) two photographs (*); 5) autobiography; 6) birth certificate; 7) document on education; 8) certificate of marital status; 9) a medical certificate from a doctor (form No. 086-y); 10) certificate of baptism; 11) a certificate of the wedding (for married people).

- What are the conditions of study and living, including for nonresident students?
- The school is located in a comfortable two-story building in the city center. There is a library and students have access to the necessary teaching aids. Students from other cities are provided with a hostel. For males, it is located in the Holy Epiphany Kuteinsky Monastery, and for females - in the Holy Dormition Convent. - What are the departments in the school, what is the duration of the full course of study and its cost?
- Training in a theological school will take place in five departments: 1) preparatory - prepares candidates for admission to theological Seminaries (duration of study is 1 year); 2) regents-psalmists - prepares reciters, singers, regents, psalmists (training period is 3 years); 3) theological and pedagogical - teachers of Sunday schools, courses of religious studies (evening department - the term of study is 2 years, part-time - the period of study is 3 years); 4) missionary - students are recruited (study period 2 years); 5) icon painting - the term of study is 3 years. Education is free.
- What is the program, what disciplines are studied?
- During the period of study, students study the content and interpretation of the books of the Old and New Testaments, the catechism, the doctrine of church worship, church history subjects and more. Students in the department of psalm singers, in addition to the disciplines listed above, comprehend a number of sciences necessary for both the singer and the choir director. Thus, students of the icon-painting department, in addition to theological subjects, study a number of disciplines necessary for an icon painter.

- Who teaches at the theological school?
- The clergy of the Vitebsk diocese, as well as secular persons with higher secular and theological education, teach at the theological school. - Is the scholarship paid?
- The scholarship is not paid.

- What educational documents do students receive after graduation?
- Upon completion of their studies, graduates receive a diploma of secondary theological education indicating qualifications (regent, Sunday school teacher, icon painter, etc.). - What are the prospects for further education or employment?
- The further perspective of study is a higher theological educational institution: theological seminary. Usually, graduates are admitted on the recommendation of the rector of the parish they visit, respectively, after graduation, they return to obey their parish. - What similar educational institutions are there in the country?
- There are two higher theological educational institutions in Belarus: Minsk and Vitebsk theological seminaries. From secondary educational institutions - Minsk Theological School, Slonim Theological School. - Thank. Interviewed by Sergey Sleptsov. Telecom-Express newspaper.

Article from the encyclopedia "Tree": site

Slonim Theological School named after the Righteous Virgin Juliana, Princess Olshanskaya (abolished)

The Slonim Theological School was established as a result of the reorganization of the catechism courses of the Novogrudok Diocese, founded in August.

The educational institution is located on the site of the former military unit (repair and construction battalion). The territory was transferred to the courses by the decision of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus at the request of the Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk Filaret (Vakhromeev), the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus.

The courses were headed by Archbishop Guriy (Apalko) of Novogrudok and Lida, who later became the rector of the Slonim Theological School.

The first students, numbering 20 people, faced the task of arranging the material and technical base. Their school day at that time consisted of half of classes and half of obediences: assistance in the construction of a hostel, the improvement of the adjacent land.

The old military barracks, after a thorough renovation, became a place of study and housing for the pupils. A dormitory for students was built not far from it. While the renovation was underway, the teachers and pupils attended services at the Zhirovitsky Assumption Monastery. Getting acquainted with the way of life in the monastery, the pupils learned to do all things with prayer, and carried all feasible obediences.

Rectors

Gury (Apalko) (8 August 2000 - 27 September 2017)

Story

There is a Spiritual School in Slonim. It was opened in March 1999 on the site of a military unit. The educational building was located in the former barracks. A dormitory for students was built not far from it. In October of the same year, a house church was consecrated here in honor of the holy noble Prince Alexander Nevsky. In 2003, the Holy Annunciation Convent was founded on the territory of the school. There is also a church under construction in honor of the holy blessed prince Alexander Nevsky.

The S Lonim religious school is only for Orthodox girls from 17 to 35 years old. Here, for 3 years, pupils can be taught either to lead a church choir, or to teach the Law of God or paint icons. Full-time form of education. Correspondence - only for students of the catechism department. The pupils do not live closed. They take part in Religious Processions, travel to the holy places of Belarus and Russia. They organize Christmas and Easter holidays for orphans. They also conduct spiritual and educational talks in kindergartens and schools. All these undertakings are supported by the rector of the Slonim Theological School - Archbishop Guriy of Novogrudok and Lida and the vice-rector - nun Pelageya (Spiridonova). More detailed information about admission to the school can be obtained by phone numbers: (8-01562) -2-35-31, 2-53-29, 2-51-09.

The Lord is near if a person strives for deeds of kindness, mercy and love. But under the special protection of God, the one who chooses the path of serving Him in the monastic or church field strives for inner perfection.

None of the residents of Slonim could have thought that on the site of the military unit located on Vilenskaya Street, a Theological School would arise in honor of the holy righteous virgin, Princess Juliana of Olshanskaya.

Many difficulties and searches preceded this: it was not so easy to find a suitable place for the construction of an educational institution. With how many heads of organizations, enterprises, collective farms Vladyka Guriy had to talk and consult with! How many prayers were raised to the Lord and the Most Holy Theotokos! The Mother of God, always patronizing in godly endeavors, herself indicated the place not far from Her Zhirovitsy monastery. How providential it was - judge for yourself!

The repair battalion located in Slonim was preparing for redeployment, and the territory on which the military unit was located was the best suited to accommodate the Theological School. With the blessing of the Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk Filaret, petitions were written asking for the location of the military unit of the Novogrudok diocese.

Fortunately, the supreme authorities were sympathetic to the problem, and in March 1999, by the decision of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus, the military base of the Rembat was transferred to the free property of the Novogrudok diocese. The Lord knows their names and will reward them for a good deed.

Much organizational work was done by the economist of the diocese, Alexander Petrovich Putilin (now deceased about Bose) and his wife Raisa Viktorovna Putilina. In their labors for the glory of God, these people spared neither effort nor time, courageously overcoming all difficulties.

In August 1999, the military left their location, and in the same month, the recruitment of students for catechism courses at the Novogrudok diocese was announced, which a year later were transformed into the Slonim Theological School. Its rector is His Eminence Vladyka Gury, Bishop of Novogrudok and Lida ... this is how the school began

The old military barracks, after a thorough renovation, became a place of study and housing for the pupils.

One of the premises was consecrated as a temple in honor of the holy noble Prince Alexander Nevsky. A house church appeared. But this is only after half a year. In the meantime, the renovation was going on, teachers and pupils attended divine services in the Holy Dormition Zhirovitsky monastery. Getting acquainted with the way of life in the monastery, the pupils learned to do all things with prayer, carried feasible obediences, spiritually strengthened under the protection of the Mother of God, the miraculous Zhirovitskaya icon Which at all times has shown and continues to show miracles of spiritual and bodily healings.

The pupils of the school carefully carried the spiritual baggage that they acquired by passing it on to subsequent courses. So gradually the school began to develop its own traditions, way of life, norms of behavior.

A great influence on the life of the school was exerted by the nuns, who arrived for the spiritual care of the pupils a year after the work of the catechism courses, the future Theological School. If earlier the service was performed irregularly - on holidays and weekends, now morning and evening services are becoming daily.

There is such a concept as "a place of prayer" - it is the Zhirovitsky Monastery: since the XIV century, prayers have been raised here to the Lord, the Most Holy Theotokos, all the Saints.

The Slonim Spiritual School and the established monastery monastery were to be spiritually reborn in a place that was not prayed for. And now, in addition to daily services, the monastic rule, the night Psalter began to be read here. The nuns, nuns, and novices took upon themselves the hard work of prayer, but gradually everyone began to feel its result: prayer seemed to cleanse everything around, unite hearts in serving the Lord, and drive away the attacks of evil forces.

For two and a half years, the school inspector, mother Fotinia (Komarova), began and worked with the pupils. It was not easy all this time: the way of life was just getting better, a team was formed from people who came from different parts of the republic.

In 2003, the Slonim Theological School is the third religious school in Belarus. Pupils for three years study in three departments: catechism, psalmist and icon painting, with God's help and diligence they comprehend theological disciplines (basic dogmatic theology, Holy Scripture, liturgy, catechism, etc.) and learn practical skills in their specialty. Since 2002, a correspondence course has been introduced.

Students not only acquire theoretical and spiritual knowledge here, but also strive to maintain cleanliness and order in the educational, residential buildings, help to work in the refectory, on the personal plot, those who wish to acquire sewing skills. And before the holidays, how many different beautiful souvenirs are made by the hands of the pupils! In addition, the students carry kliros obedience in the home church, everyone is introduced to church singing.

Pupils studying at the catechism department are invited to secondary schools in the city of Slonim, to enterprises and organizations for holding evenings on significant holidays - Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day (Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos) and others. Together with the clergy, they visit city hospitals, bringing spiritual comfort to the sick, helping them with various everyday needs.

After three years of training, the pupils undergo practical training at the churches of the Novogrudok diocese for a year. This is a good opportunity to test knowledge, gain work experience, and communicate with people.

Graduating from eleven grades, each student thinks about what kind of life path you aretake. Someone chooses to study at humanitarian universities, someone - in technical, someone fromgives preference to spiritual sciences. Such applicants are invited by the Slonim Theological School.Recently I had a chance to visit here and talk with the head of the correspondence department Valentina Antonal Klimash. Here's what she said.

- In 1999, the Theological School in Slonim opened its doors for students, but as a catechism course. The first group of 25 people was recruited. And only in 2002 the courses received the status
Spiritual school. In those years, our educational institution was just beginning to develop. Now there are already three departments - the regent (conductor of the church choir), icon painting and catechism (teacher of the Law of God, teacher of the Sunday school). Over the past years, the school carried out 12 graduations, 168 people graduated from it, who underwent permanent training. In 2002, a correspondence department was opened, where catechists studied, and 150 people graduated.
People of different ages study in the correspondence department today, although at first there was an age limit of up to 30 years. But, since there are many who want to receive spiritual education (even pensioners), the restriction was lifted. Initially, only women were involved in the school, now men also study. For example, there is a guy who, in parallel with his studies at school, receives an education with us.
In the last five years, future choir directors and icon painters have also been trained as catechists. This is due to the fact that after graduation, graduates come to the parish, but there is no opportunity
contain both the regent and the catechist. Therefore, the one who studies the choir and icon painting,
also conducts classes in Sunday schools.

- Valentina Antonovna, I remember my first visit to your school. Then one could only dream of normal conditions for life and study. What has changed during this time?

- Yes, we did not get the former base of the repair battalion in perfect condition. It was necessary to do not only repairs, but also a lot to alter and complete. For example, we only dreamed of hot water. In the rooms, cells were bunk beds. Now girls live in rooms of three to four people. There is hot water, a bathhouse, a shower; a good icon-painting workshop has appeared. Much has changed over the years, but today something is being done and updated, under construction,
for example, the church in our yard.

- How do your students spend their free time?

- They have time to rest. They can go to the city (albeit with our knowledge, since we are responsible for them), buy something necessary for themselves. There is a gym on the territory of the school. We go out with concert programs, take part in various promotions, and often attend school meetings. There is no hard limit. The girls themselves know what is possible and what is inadmissible. They are from families of believers, and their upbringing there is somewhat different. Girls carry obediences, in particular, in our convent, in the kitchen. It must be said that in the process of study, even those who did not quite know how to cook, master all the culinary wisdom and perfectly set even lean tables. In later life it will be very useful to them. Girls are engaged in cleaning, washing (there are washing machines) and a vegetable garden. By the way, for all students - study, food and accommodation are free. They also receive a small stipend. The school has a first-aid post. If someone is sick, our nurse, who is here all the time, will always come to help or call a doctor.

- How many students are there today?

- 22 people are currently studying in the full-time department (it is a pity that there are no locals among them), in the correspondence department - 63. There is an opportunity for correspondence students to pass the session not in strictly limited terms. They call up and agree on all issues with the teachers.

- Where do they come from to study at the school?

- In absentia, as in the hospital, people of different ages and nationalities study. They come from Ukraine, Moscow, Vilnius, etc. Over the years, we have had a lot of students from the former Soviet republics. Novices from monasteries also receive knowledge from us. Among the correspondence students there are many students who have already
have higher education, we have excellent students. After college, many go to higher educational theological institutes. We warmly welcome everyone who has expressed a desire to learn in our Spiritual
school.