Orthodox Counsel

Prayerful, Wonderful, Transformative

Orthodox Christians hold in tension our free will and our call to holiness. This dynamic becomes especially important when we are called to offer counsel to others. In these settings, as we enter into a triad with God, how can we be faithful to God and the people we witness to? What role do the individual complexities and free will of the other—as well as our own complexities and free will—play in this process?

Whether you are clergy, a mental health professional, or laity involved in pastoral care, this four-week online course on Orthodox Counsel will help enrich your ability to offer Godly hospitality, witness, truth, and respect to everyone you encounter. Speak the truth in love with an Orthodox Christian model of counseling filled with integrity, acceptance, and joy.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • Refine your understanding of your role and duty in offering Christian counsel

  • Better recognize how the complexities of the other person and yourself shape your ministry to them

  • Integrate a prayerful and transformative approach in your interactions

Meet Your Instructor

The Right Rev. Dr. John (Abdalah)

His Grace Bishop JOHN is Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and is the auxiliary bishop for Worcester and New England of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.

From an early age, he had a desire to serve Christ through the Holy Priesthood and so, after college, he attended St. Vladimir’s Seminary and earned an M.Div. While at seminary he became engaged to Joanne Josephs, whom he married in August 1978. He was ordained to the diaconate and priesthood in September and October of that year, respectively. They are the parents of three children, Dn. Gregory (Diana), Joseph (Eleni), and Maria (John Kilfeather). Khouria Joanne reposed on May 27, 2008, after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Fr. John was elevated to the episcopacy in 2011.

Bringing with him pastoral experience and practice, His Grace has taught priestly formation at the Antiochian House of Studies and the graduate program of the St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology at Balamand in Lebanon, and he has also worked as a mentor to the seminarians in the House of Studies program. Bishop John co-authored Building an Orthodox Marriage: A Practical Commentary on the Eastern Orthodox Marriage Rite (SVS Press), as well as several introductions to theological books and theological papers. He chairs the Committee on Clergy Matters of the Assembly of Bishops and serves on the Canonical Regional Planning and Theological committees. His Grace also chaired the Assembly of Bishop’s Task Force on Mental Health; is on the Advisory Board of the Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology and Religion; and is a member of the Board of Trustees at St. Vladimir’s Seminary.

Course Format & Schedule

Live Zoom Sessions:
Tuesdays, 8:00–8:45 p.m. ET

Dates:
May 12 – June 2, 2026

Access Period:
May 5 – July 2, 2026

  • Bishop John will lead participants through a discussion of our identity and duty as Orthodox Christians.

  • Delve into the role of God and ourselves in the therapeutic dyad.

  • Develop a nuanced understanding of our complexities and the complexities of those we minister to.

  • Discuss what God is doing in the life of those we counsel.

Tuition & Registration

Course Fee: $200
Refund Policy: No refunds after May 5, 2026

To participate, you’ll need to create a username and password during registration. All course materials and recordings will remain available through July 2, 2026.

Requirements: By no means is it required, but this series is geared toward participants who will preach liturgically; all should have a practical interest in preaching in, or as informed by, Eastern Christian tradition.

What’s Included

  • 4 live discussion sessions

  • 4 pre-recorded lectures

  • 4 slide presentations to accompany each lecture

  • Reading material

  • Access to session recordings and all course materials from May 5 - July 2, 2026

You may submit questions ahead of time for each live Zoom discussion with your instructor.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • No. This is a non-credit, non-transferable enrichment course designed for personal spiritual and theological growth.

  • No. While the course is grounded in the Orthodox tradition, it welcomes students of all Christian backgrounds and those exploring Orthodoxy.

  • No problem. All live Zoom discussions will be recorded and available to watch anytime during the access period.

  • After registering, you’ll use the login credentials you created to access the course platform. All content will be available starting May 5.

  • No, readings are optional and provided for those who want to explore topics more deeply.

  • Not at this time. This course is for personal enrichment and does not offer a certificate of completion.

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