The successful defense of the first Doctoral Dissertation in Theology at St. Petersburg State University since the Theological Faculty was closed in 1918 (the university was previously called St. Petersburg Imperial University) took place on July 1, 2019. More information in Russian (an English translation will be provided here as soon as possible) can be found here:http://www.uchkom.info/novosti/5840/
The successful candidate is Reader Alexandr Andreev, 2013 graduate of the Pastoral School of the Diocese of Chicago & Mid-America. “This is a very significant accomplishment for Alexandr and something that our Pastoral School can be thankful for – that one of our graduates was prepared adequately to go on to pursue higher theological education within the structure of the Russian Orthodox Church and to be so successful in that pursuit”, said Archpriest Gregory Joyce, Dean of the Pastoral School. “It is our hope that our students will continue to take what they have learned in the Pastoral School – that rigorous and solid foundation of theological education that we provide – and build on that as clergy, educators, and academics in service to the Holy Church.” It is hoped that Alexandr will eventually return to the Diocese of Chicago & Mid-America to use the skills he has acquired in Russia for the good of our the faithful of the diocese.
