Institute of Theology

The St John of Damascus Institute of Theology is an ecclesiastical (spiritual and academic) institution aiming to serve the Church of Antioch through the preparation of Church leaders on both a spiritual and intellectual level. Its unique role supports the Church in her witness. The growth in Christ is what grants the students their theological knowledge the tincture that enables them to assume all kinds of responsibilities in the Church, to apply their acquired knowledge to real life, and to draw up an appropriate religious speech to address the current challenges.

The organization of student life strengthens the educational aspect of the community. It is a concern of the curricula and the academic rules and regulations at the University of Balamand.

More precisely, the student life encompasses the following three dimensions:
1. The educational aspect
2. The spiritual aspect
3. The life aspect

2.1. FIRST SECTION: EDUCATIONAL LIFE REQUIREMENTS

The student has to count academic achievement as part of their qualification for service in the Church. Consequently, the student has to abide by the following:

Article 1:
The use of the Institute Library or modern technologies available at the UOB is necessary to expand the horizons of the students and to prepare them for free and open discussions. Limiting oneself to the lessons given in class by professors is a weakness that negatively affects performance and productivity. The Institute of Theology encourages its students to consult books and to get acquainted with recent scientific developments with the spirit of responsibility that it promotes.

Article 2:
In case of the abuse of technologies at the disposal of the student, the latter is held accountable. That which is considered an abuse of available technologies is the promotion and copying of immoral items or items contrary to intellectual property and scientific accuracy or those that provoke disputes within the university or affect people regardless of their position or those that make up false and biased information.

Article 3:
Pastoral training that falls within the framework of the curricula, or organized by the Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand, in coordination with the Institute administration, constitutes one of the indispensable qualifications of students. Students have to contribute to this training in all its aspects, considering the positive reflection on their educational attainment on the one hand, and their future pastoral work on the other hand. Non-compulsive absence from participation in this training requires special authorization from the Institute Council based on a warranting request.

Article 4:
The Institute of Theology has a private choir that contributes to the training of the students on solo and choral chanting. The choir also facilitates the pastoral role of the Our Lady of Balamand Patriarchal Monastery amid its surrounding cities and villages and farther Antiochian dioceses. Students can join the choir according to the order mentioned in the curricula. Exemption requires a decision from the Institute Council upon the suggestion of the choirmaster.

Article 5:
Attending all courses and participating in various educational activities is obligatory. The accepted absence rate in any Course is 10%. In case it is exceeded, the student has to withdraw from the Course, scores a WF grade, and may repeat the Course no more than once.

Article 6:
Cheating at the exam leads the students to be permanently expelled from the Institute of Theology. The
Institute Council is entitled to consider and settle these cases.

Article 7:
Students must abide by deadlines set by the professors to submit their assignments as established in the syllabi distributed to the students at the outset of the semester. Students are liable to obtain a grade of 40 for work they do not submit on time.

2.2 SECOND SECTION: SPIRITUAL LIFE REQUIREMENTS

Life within the Institute has both its personal and communal character. Students are called upon to work on consecrating themselves and participating in the sanctification of others. Students must live up to the following:

Article 8:
Prayer is vital for the student. Besides individual prayers, each student is called upon to take part in liturgical services. Services are:
A. Daily Matins and Vespers. B. Sunday Divine Liturgy.
C. Vigils and liturgies on Festal occasions.
Failing to attend the prayers regularly is viewed as an impediment to studying at the Institute of Theology. The Institute Council considers the cases that are reported by the supervisor of Student Life.

Article 9:
Besides prayer, students have to learn to lead a spiritual life. In this framework, the Institute of Theology with the Monastery of Balamand offer the necessary guidance, and therefore:
A. Priests residing at the Institute or the Monastery play an essential pastoral and guiding role. B. Students should regularly take the Holy Communion.
C. Students should ask the Fathers working at the Monastery or at the Institute of Theology for advice and guidance. The annual evaluation given by the Fathers and Professors about each student in closed sessions, according to clear and documented criteria, constitutes an important part of his file and is to be submitted to their ecclesiastical authority for information about their ability to serve the Church.

Article 10:
The Institute of Theology conforms completely with fasting periods and its regulations. At the same time, and in observance of the Lenten spirituality, students are trained in personal temperance, charitable work, and service to the needy and the vulnerable through contributing effectively to social activities organized by the Institute or the Monastery.

2.3 THIRD SECTION: COMMUNITY LIFE REQUIREMENTS

Life during the period of studies constitutes a tremendous experience within a community united for serving the Church. Therefore, the students must stay at the Institute during this entire period, according to the following regulations:

Article 11:
Students must reside at the Institute during their studies, except for the following periods: A. The vacation between the Fall and the Spring Semesters
B. Bright Week following Holy Pascha
C. Summer Vacation, unless students have to participate in a language Summer program

Article 12:
Life at the Institute as a living experience with others and interacting positively with them is a practical reflection of the success of the student’s spiritual life. Hence, students must avoid anything that instigates conflict of whatever kind. The administration shall ensure that students are open to each other and accept differences as a source of enrichment in the Church.

Article 13:
Life at the Institute constitutes a place to practice the art of serving. Consequently, at the beginning of each semester, the student life supervisor sets up teams of students to serve various duties at the Institute. The Institute Council in the semestrial assessment takes into consideration the student’s engagement in teamwork.

Article 14:
Communal life at the Institute requires complying with its primary principles, such as cleanliness, punctuality, serenity, and similar virtues. Not complying with these rules is seen as a violation that the Student Life supervisor would follow up with paternal care, and might refer this issue to the Institute Council whenever needed.

Article 15:
Students are encouraged to take the initiative to establish clubs at the university according to the statutes of clubs. They may also participate in the already established clubs as a part of sharing their witness in society.

Article 16:
Daily life schedule is in general as follows: A. Matins at 6:45 AM
B. Breakfast at 7:45 AM
C. Morning classes from 8.30 AM to 1 PM D. Lunch and break from 1 PM to 3 PM
E. Afternoon classes from 3 PM to 6 PM F. Ninth Hour and Vespers at 5:45 PM
G. Dinner at 7 PM
It is worth mentioning that the reading room and the computer hall are available all day long until 10 PM
in general, and until 11 PM during the exam period.

Article 17:
Students are expected to engage themselves responsibly in Church matters. Consequently, they are held accountable according to this sense of responsibility, based on the present regulations, and far from any legalistic attitude.

Article 18:
The Institute Council is the reference for all matters related to student life and performance, and it may set the regulatory framework for cases not specified in these regulations with complete respect for their spirit. The Institute Council issues, at times, and according to the circumstances, guidelines necessary to improve life in the Institute.

The Institute Council is the proper reference for decision-making and receiving complaints. The Dean is the sole official spokesman thereof.