Intensive University Course at St Mary of Egypt Refuge

For two weeks in July, 2010, the St Mary of Egypt Refuge hosted a university course on modern Orthodox spirituality. The intensive course was part of the Eastern Christian Studies Programme of Trinity College at the University of Toronto.

The course covered the major spiritual personalities and movements in modern times, focussing on the period from publication of the Philokalia in the late 17th century to the fall of communism at the end of the 20th century. Dr Paul Ladouceur, who has led several retreats at the Refuge, was the principal instructor, with the collaboration of Mary Marrocco. Dr Al Rossi, professor of pastoral theology at St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminar in New York, made important contributions during the final days of the course.

The Refuge’s peaceful setting facilitated a reflective and prayerful approach to the spiritual writings which constituted a large part of the course programme. One of the objectives in holding the course at the Refuge was to allow the students and staff to take part in Orthodox divine services, which promoted a retreat-like atmosphere. Participants celebrated vespers and matins every day and on Sunday, Fr John Jillions (Orthodox Church in America) of Ottawa served the Divine Liturgy in the Chapel of St Joachim and St Anna.

We hope to offer another course at the Refuge in the summer of 2011.