Discover the beauty and meaning behind the art of the Orthodox Church! This course dives into the captivating world of church art and architecture, highlighting the significance of iconographic imagery. Did you know that icons aren't just religious decorations or holy images to venerate?

They're a call to action, inviting viewers to connect and engage with their faith. These aren't mere windows into the holiest figures of the Church, but vibrant canvases that interact with the observer.

Sacred Artistry: The Living Tradition of Orthodox Church Art

By joining this course, you will:

Learn essential terms and gain an understanding of the history of Orthodox Church art
Dive into the deep meanings behind the visuals
Understand how art beautifully intertwines with theology in the Orthodox tradition
Discover the power of icons in personal growth and transformation

Week 1 — Tuesday, November 7
Week 2 — Tuesday, November 14
Week 3 — Tuesday, November 21
Week 4 — Tuesday, November 28

Registration Closed

Course Information

Each course is 4 weeks long and will take place via Zoom every Tuesday at 8:00 pm ET. Each session includes: Recorded video by the professor, Optional Readings, and 4 Live Sessions (Introduction, Asynchronous material review by professor, Q&A, and Zoom Break-out Rooms Discussion). These are non-credit and non-transferable courses.

Important: We will post each week’s recorded lecture by Dr. Rossitza Schroeder on the course’s main page every Monday at 5:00 pm (ET). Once a video is uploaded, it will stay on the main page until December 11, 2024. You will have access to this page after you register for the class.

We recommend for you to watch the video before 8:00 pm (ET) each Tuesday, so that you will be able to participate during the live sessions. The readings for all the sessions are posted and you may read those at your leisure.

This is a wonderful opportunity to hear from and work with dynamic faculty of St. Vladimir’s Seminary!

Dr Rossitza Schroeder is a Byzantine art historian educated in Bulgaria and the US. She is also an Orthodox Christian and has been practicing her teaching vocation at various institutions of higher education for over 20 years. Dr Schroeder is Associate Professor of Art History and Assistant Director of the Institute of Sacred Arts at St Vladimir's Seminary. She has published extensively on monastic practice and the visual arts in late Byzantium as well as on Byzantine-Ottoman-Venetian cultural exchange.