We are delighted to share our Orthodox Educational Workshop results
God who created us has granted us the faculty of speech that we might disclose the counsels of our hearts to one another and that, since we possess our human nature in common, each of us might share his thoughts with his neighbour, bringing them forth from the secret recesses of the heart as from a treasury.
– Saint Basil the Great
Sunrise over the Shanakeever Valley, Lent 2025.
Having recently led a workshop for developing an Orthodox Educational program at the Monastery of the Life-Giving Spring, we are delighted to share the results of our collaborative hard work. Starting on Friday, 28.03, Dr. Valentina Tarkovska opened the workshop with an overview of our workshop goals. Iconographer Martin Rybacki then led a thought-provoking discussion about the spiritual dangers of screen technology. Later on, Mother Maria from the Bethany School for Girls in Israel shared inspiring accounts of the value that an Orthodox Christian education, replete with critical thinking skills, might offer. On Saturday, workshop participants introduced themselves and offered unique and valuable insights. Mat. Anastasia deconstructed some of the problems with modern education, such as harmful curriculums and the tendency toward under-education. She also proposed a Classical Christian Education as a natural extension of the Orthodox Church.
One of the things we try to foster in our children is the responsibility to exercise and develop their God-given gifts, that these gifts were not given to them for their own benefit, but to offer the world on God’s behalf.
Feedback from Annette, a homeschooling mother who attended the workshop.
Ongoing Discussion
Many issues, such as the use of screen technology in the classroom, require ongoing consideration and analysis. The workshop heard strong and intelligent viewpoints from both sides of the debate. We welcome thoughts and ideas related to this discussion as well as any other Orthodox Educational ideas during a period of follow-up:
An Orthodox Curriculum: Fall 2025
We are now organising an initial set of classes to begin in the Fall of 2025. The schedule of classes and sign-up information will be posted here soon!
Interested in Orthodox Classes?
Our research continues! If the possibility of Orthodox classes, both academic and theological, sounds like an interesting idea, please participate in our survey:
Starting a Collective Library
During the workshop, participants shared many favourite books as collaboration of potential educational resources, including the following:
Saint Willibald’s Educational Centre
The workshop was a collaborative effort between Dr. Valentina Tarkovska and a branch of the Saint Patrick Orthodox Church’s community outreach called Saint Willibald’s Educational Centre. Learn more about Saint Willibald and our other community work efforts here.