PR 401 Liturgical Practicum I
The order and celebration of services in the Armenian Euchology (Mashtots’): Baptism, Matrimony, Funeral, Blessing of Graves, Rite of the Sick, Matagh, and other occasional services and prayers.
PR 402 Liturgical Practicum II
The order and celebration of special services of the liturgical year: Blessing of Water; Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord to the Temple; Boon Barekendan and Lent; Holy Week: Opening of the Doors, Absolution of the Penitents, Washing of the Feet, Passion Service, Service of the Crucifixion and Burial; Pentecost; Feast of Transfiguration; Blessing of Grapes; Great Andastan of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross; Andastans during the Liturgical Year; Pre-Feast celebrations.
PR 408 Canonical Issues in the Armenian Church
Introduction to canon law and the canonical tradition of the Armenian Church; overview of civil law and legal theories; the hierarchical structure of the Armenian Church; and current canonical issues, as in sacramental canon law, etc.
PR 410 Parish Administration
This course examines the administrative responsibilities of a parish priest, including the pastor’s role in parish organizations, committee meetings, and preparation of budgets, reports and publications, and fund-raising modes. Added emphasis is placed on successful leadership of the local church, its common problems and their resolution (case studies, principles and strategies of selection and retention of officers, delegation of responsibilities, motivational skills, team building, etc.), and co-ordination between parish and diocesan departmental activities. Area parish-council members, especially those newly elected, are encouraged to audit certain classes.
PR 450 Pastoral Formation
A non-credit requirement for M.Div. students, to be fulfilled in a church setting and under the guidance of a parish priest, for a month each summer while the student is officially enrolled as a seminarian. Students are encouraged to participate in all pastoral functions and in as many priestly duties as possible, including youth ministry, home and hospital visitations, parish-council meetings, reflection sessions, etc. The required Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program may be substituted for one of the summer-months’ involvements.
PR 451 Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
A supervised learning experience, totaling 240 hours, that gives the student a participatory role in pastoral care-a role that requires a style of life characterized by both involvement and reflection. The student will have a first-hand learning experience in a hospital/congregational setting, develop an individual contract of learning, engage in a small group learning experience with peers, receive certified pastoral supervision, and do detailed reporting of ministry. After pre-registration, the student must complete an application and go for a screening interview before the course begins.