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# St. Vladimir’s Seminary Announces Online Course on Spiritual Care
- URL: https://uoj.news/news/st-vladimirs-seminary-announces-online-course-on-spiritual-care/
- Published: 2026-11-04T16:00:40.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-04T16:02:59.000Z
- Description: St. Vladimir’s Seminary is offering clergy and lay caregivers an opportunity to explore an approach to crisis care rooted in Orthodox theology and the teachings of St. Sophrony the Athonite.
- Author: Tobias Straney
- Tags: #Category: News, St. Vladimir's Online School of Theology, Ministry, Religious education, Orthodoxy in America

**CRESTWOOD, NY —** St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary is offering a [four-week online course](https://www.online.svots.edu/spiritual-care?fbclid=IwY2xjawVYLipleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMU02YzJUWGd5WDYySkNBZEJzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEfSY-WGgr92PZ8Q4EIMh63UPLcT-RU-VR%5F1gQtqHrZiH928HuHKctjeRVCyv4%5Faem%5F7eSGc6u8y3opC0zVv9C%5F8g) on spiritual care for individuals and families in crisis, beginning November 23 and led by Antiochian Archpriest David Alexander, Ph.D., an assistant professor of pastoral care and counseling at the seminary.

Titled “Spiritual Care to Individuals and Families in Crisis,” the course is designed for clergy, Orthodox Christians working in the helping professions, and others called to provide spiritual support. It will introduce participants to Hypostatic Spiritual Care, drawing particularly on the theological vision of St. Sophrony the Athonite.

[![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2026/09/pent-23923.jpg)On this topicScriptorium Initiative to Host Weekly Bible Study With Holy Cross Dean](https://uoj.news/news/scriptorium-initiative-to-host-weekly-bible-study-with-holy-cross-dean/)

Fr. David is a longtime student and associate of Professor Renos Papadopoulos, founder of the Centre for Trauma, Asylum and Refugees at the University of Essex in the United Kingdom. After completing his doctorate under the supervision of Papadopoulos and Archimandrite Nikolai Sakharov, he served for nine years as a fellow at the center, participating in international work involving refugee care, research, teaching, and clinical supervision.

The instructor has worked for more than 20 years with survivors of natural disasters, political violence, and other forms of adversity, participating in crisis response, relief, and development efforts on six continents. A graduate of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, he is also the author of more than 20 book chapters and peer-reviewed articles. His 2025 book, Leaping into the Hands of God: Lessons from My Teachers on Hypostatic Spiritual Care, presents principles underlying the approach explored in the course.

The four weekly sessions will examine the human person’s relationship with God, the spiritual understanding of suffering, the second stage of spiritual life, and ways caregivers can support others in turning toward God. The course emphasizes prayer, discernment, self-emptying love, and the spiritual formation of both the caregiver and the person receiving care.

Live Zoom discussions are scheduled for Mondays from 8 to 8:45 p.m. Eastern, from November 23 through December 14\. Participants will also receive prerecorded lectures, slide presentations, optional reading materials, and access to session recordings and course materials through January 16, 2027\. Tuition is $200, and registration is available through the [seminary’s website](https://www.online.svots.edu/register-where-art-thou-o-man-spiritual-care-to-individuals-and-families-in-crisis).

Previously, the [UOJ reported](https://uoj.news/news/orthodox-musicians-workshop-set-for-november-in-new-jersey/) that an Orthodox musicians workshop was set for November in New Jersey.