Seminars
Seminars
The Seminar is a study group.
From it, the word Seminary was also derived, meaning a theological institute, on the basis that it includes study groups for theology.
Seminars are study groups in which there is dialogue and discussion around a particular subject, in order to arrive at one opinion concerning it.
We have seen the spread of these seminars among the clergy to discuss some important matters in doctrine, theology, and ritual, as well as in pastoral care and understanding the Holy Bible.
Many seminars were held for the priests in the countries of the diaspora.
Seminars for the priests in America and Canada were held in New Jersey and Los Angeles.
Other seminars for them were held in Europe, in London and Germany.
And seminars were held in Sydney, Australia. Most of them were on subjects concerning pastoral care, the work of the priest, and his spirituality.
With an opportunity to present questions and answer them, discuss any pastoral idea and the possibility of implementing it, and solve the obstacles that stand in its way. Some seminars were concerned with the curricula of church education and youth ministry.
Some of them addressed the subject of insurance for the priest, some concerned the relationship of the priests with the Mother Church, and some concerned the details of ministry in the diaspora, and evangelistic work alongside pastoral and educational work.
Other seminars were held for the bishops who are members of the Holy Synod.
They were held at the monastery, and about forty or fifty bishops of the Church attended them.
The most important of them were those concerned with church education.
And what is found in some printed books of theological or doctrinal deviations, which could spread among the youth and be embraced by them, and even be disseminated by them without realizing their danger!!
Some seminars were concerned specifically with pastoral care.
Whether the principles of general pastoral care, or the care of particular groups such as prisoners and their families, or the care of those who are attracted by other denominations, or residents of informal areas, or those exposed to deviation or apostasy.
The committees of the Holy Synod that meet twice each year are considered a form of seminars on a limited level.
They discuss many matters of diverse nature according to the specialization of each synodal committee. These subjects are prepared for presentation to the Holy Synod at its nearest session.
The purpose of seminars is to arrive at one thought and unified work.
We believe in one Church, which should be one in thought, one in doctrine, and also one in ritual. We do not wish a church, a diocese, or a group of youth to represent an isolated island standing on its own in its thought and practices, far from the comprehensive ecclesiastical unity.
The treatment of this comes first through the succession of seminars and the dialogue within them, which leads to unity of thought.
And if we conduct dialogues with other churches on the ecumenical level, then how much more should this be within our Church.
The gatherings and conferences held for the youth, whether in the diaspora or within the Egyptian homeland, are also a form of seminars.
They are a form of gathering, dialogue, and study, leading to unity of thought and work.
We also held other meetings with the Coptic associations, and studied with them the common work.
We would like the scope of seminars and their work to expand in order to arrive at unity in purpose and means.
Because individual work leads to dispersion!
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