Our Athenaeum

To form men and women deeply rooted in the Orthodox faith, theologically and spiritually capable of serving the Church with discernment, humility and fidelity, according to the Tradition of Slavic Orthodoxy.

Our commitment is to offer an integrated education, where prayer and study go hand in hand, nourished by liturgical life, the reading of the Scriptures and the writings of the Holy Fathers.

Values

Fidelity to the Holy Tradition
We believe that the truth of the faith is alive in the Tradition of the Church, transmitted by the Apostles, sealed in the Councils and lived in monasteries and parishes.
Liturgical and Hesychastic Life
Continuous prayer, fasting, the sacraments and monastic spirituality are the heart of our pedagogy.
Theological Excellence with Simplicity of Spirit
We seek knowledge not as vanity, but as service. Any theology that does not lead to humility is a dead letter.
Spirit of Communion
We unite around the altar, the Word and obedience to the canonical hierarchy and community life.
Comprehensive Training
We integrate intellect, spirit and pastoral action to form complete servants for the Church, whether at the altar, in catechesis, in sacred music or in the mission.

Mission and vision

The Patriarchal Athenaeum of St. Mark's wishes to be a beacon of Orthodox fidelity on the American continent, forming a generation of faithful and servants rooted in the faith of the Apostles, nourished by the wisdom of the Holy Fathers, and awakened to inner vigilance and unceasing prayer.

In the midst of a society marked by spiritual superficiality, theological fragmentation and the forgetfulness of sacred roots, we propose to be a center of mystical, theological and pastoral resistance, where the heart of the Orthodox Tradition beats intensely.

We train clergy, monks, catechists, musicians, iconographers and committed lay people who desire to live their faith with depth, integrity and service. Each student is called to live as a disciple of the Risen Christ, in the light of the Gospel, guided by the prayer of Jesus and the ancient wisdom of Slavic Orthodoxy.

The vision of the Athenaeum is indissolubly linked to the life of the Church: no formation can be separated from the Liturgy, the icon, fasting, the communion of saints and obedience to the Holy Spirit who speaks through the mouth of the holy Fathers.

Our ideal is to form ardent hearts and enlightened minds, capable of discerning the times, defending the faith with meekness and proclaiming, with boldness and humility, the true Christ in spirit and truth.