St. Athanasius and St. Cyril Coptic Theological School Signs MOU with the Catholic University of America
St. Athanasius and St. Cyril Coptic Theological School Signs MOU with the Catholic University of America
Washington DC, November 9, 2022 - St. Athanasius and St. Cyril Coptic Theological School (ACTS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington DC, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This monumental agreement is designed to expand scholarly and community access to Coptic Studies and to extend educational opportunities among theology faculty and students from the two institutions. The MOU was signed on Saturday, November 5 by His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion, the Bishop of Los Angeles and Metropolitan of Southern California and Hawaii and the President of the St. Cyril and St. Athanasius Theological School, and Dr. Peter Kilpatrick, 16thpresident of CUA.
The agreement provides for expanded scholarly and community access to Coptic Studies by jointly sponsoring lectures, conferences, workshops, and other activities, as appropriate and agreed, especially in the fields of Coptic Studies, Liturgical Studies, and Church History, as well as extended educational opportunities at CUA. “This agreement formalizes a collaboration between ACTS and CUA that is already well underway and fruitful,” said Dr. Kalpatrick of CUA. “This is a long-term investment that will provide exciting opportunities for both institutions.”
The MOU allows students from ACTS or CUA to enroll in courses of the other school. It also establishes the framework for expanding faculty, exchanging curricula, and providing for scholarly discourse and exchange. The schools will also work towards structuring accelerated degree programs for ACTS students and graduates, so that students MTS courses at ACTS may be credited towards doctorate programs at CUA, thus shortening students’ time to degree completion.
As part of the collaboration, ACTS and CUA will seek to develop joint seminars and conferences, and share resources such as expanding library access to both faculty and students. In addition, faculty exchanges of short duration may be arranged to encourage global collaboration and intercultural instruction. Both parties also seek to enhance scholarship support for ACTS students and graduates enrolled in CUA degree programs.
“ACTS is pleased to be partnering with CUA towards a future of collaboration that will make possible greater fruitfulness in theological education,” said His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion, President of St. Athanasius and St. Cyril Coptic Orthodox Theological School. “This is an opportunity to learn from one another as we journey together – the type of learning that will hopefully bring about new frameworks of inclusion and definitions of quality theological education for a church that can truly bring about changes in the communities where they serve.” His Eminence has also formulated a special task force to begin immediate implementation of this MOU and further build our relationship with CUA.
Other components of the ACTS & CUA MOU agreement include:
Organization and participation in seminars, symposia, short-term academic programs and academic meetings
The parties will explore ways to allow ACTS students to audit CUA classes and to take CUA classes for credit.
Both parties will explore ways to enhance scholarship support for ACTS students and/or graduates enrolled in CUA degree programs.
The two schools hope to cosponsor international conferences in the future, in-person and/or online as may be agreed upon based on common academic interests and shared expenses. The first conference is proposed for fall of 2023.
About ACTS:
St. Athanasius and St. Cyril Coptic Orthodox Theological School traces its origins to the world’s first Catechetical School. ACTS embraces the challenge of serving the Church and the needs of Orthodox Christians in the 21st Century. Time brings change but the Truth of the Gospel is eternally unchanging; adjustments must be made to engage a rapidly changing world, but without sacrificing that which is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
For more information about ACTS or to schedule an interview with Dean of the School, please contact Hani Philobbos at hani.philobbos@acts.school
About ACTS:
St. Athanasius and St. Cyril Coptic Orthodox Theological School traces its origins to the world’s first Catechetical School. ACTS embraces the challenge of serving the Church and the needs of Orthodox Christians in the 21st Century. Time brings change but the Truth of the Gospel is eternally unchanging; adjustments must be made to engage a rapidly changing world, but without sacrificing that which is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
