Patience: The Embodied Faith in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
In a culture driven by urgency and instant results, Christian patience is easily misunderstood—or dismissed altogether. Yet the early Church saw patience not as passivity, but as a formative expression of faith in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ—central to Christian witness, leadership, and catechesis.
This 4-week online course is designed for clergy, teachers, and lay leaders seeking to form others in the virtue of patience. Through Scripture, the Church Fathers, and practical resources, Fr. Sergius Halvorsen will help you rediscover patience as a theological practice—one that shapes Christian identity, nurtures communal life, and strengthens our witness to Christ in the world.
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
Explain the relationship between patience and belief in the Resurrection
Reflect on the dangers of anger and impatience in Christian life
Assess strategies for teaching patience in catechesis and education
Practice and promote patience as a spiritual discipline in your community
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Course Information
Course Description
4 Recorded video lecture by the professor
4 PowerPoint Slides
Optional Readings
This is a wonderful opportunity to hear from and work with the dynamic faculty of St Vladimir’s Seminary.
Professor
V. Rev. Dr. J. Sergius Halvorsen serves as Assistant Professor of Homiletics and Rhetoric at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, where he has taught since 2011. He also directs the Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry Program and regularly teaches courses in Christian education and the sacred art of narrative.
A priest of the Orthodox Church in America, Fr. Sergius is attached to Holy Transfiguration Church in New Haven, Connecticut. He also serves as a part-time chaplain at Yale New Haven Hospital. In addition to his teaching and pastoral work, Fr. Sergius is an accomplished liturgical musician. He has contributed to several recordings with Archangel Voices, a vocal ensemble dedicated to Orthodox liturgical music in English.
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Patience: The Embodied Faith in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Uncover the Power of Patience in a Restless World
Lecture 1: Embodied Faith in the Resurrection
Explore the connection between patience and belief in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ through guided reflection on Scripture and the writings of the Church Fathers.
Lecture 2: The Myth of Righteous Anger
Drawing from The Ladder of Divine Ascent, we will reflect on how our culture often praises anger and impatience as signs of strength. Learn how early Christians saw them as spiritual dangers—and how to resist their pull.
Lecture 3: Communities as Cultures of Patience
Why does St. Paul urge us to give thanks always and for everything? Learn how gratitude becomes a gateway to communion with God and a wellspring of peace.
Lecture 4: Contemporary Witness
Reflect on real-life examples of Christian patience in the modern world. How can acts of quiet endurance serve to teach, inspire, and witness to others?