Preaching and Teaching the Word of God beyond the Seminary
Welcome to The Scriptorium Initiative website!
The website, as well as The Scriptorium Initiative (TSI), is the creation of the faculty of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology under the vision and guidance of Dean Fr. Eugen J. Pentiuc.
Conceived as a scriptorium (a designated room for thinking and writing—much like the scriptoria at the Qumran community or Medieval monasteries), TSI website provides special “office” locations (i.e., mini personalized websites within the great, rich, and powerful TSI website) where Holy Cross faculty members find a fitting environment for teaching, preaching, and proclaiming the word of God beyond the confines of the seminary classroom.
The website is imagined to be a digital agora for a dynamic, continuous, and hopefully, influential, exchange of ideas between Holy Cross faculty and various groups such as clergy, faithful, or just seekers of truth, beauty, and meaning in a world of rapid change.
Last, but not least, the TSI website is Holy Cross’s home for continuing education in the areas of Bible, theology, and spirituality from an Orthodox Christian perspective. The continuing education program (CEP), known as Catechesis, is crafted for two distinct groups: clergy and laity. Continuing education courses will offer clergy ways to refresh their theological education or to apprehend new skills in the area of digital proclamation of the Gospel of Christ. For lay learners, from first-time inquirers to seasoned faithful, courses will present the ABCs of the Orthodox faith in its theological and practical aspects.
This website is part of a larger endeavor for advancing preaching and teaching of the good news (evangelion) for the “people in the pews.” In October 2023, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology received a most generous grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., based on a proposal written by Rev. Dr. Eugen J. Pentiuc and Dr. James C. Skedros, to help establish The Scriptorium: Preaching and Teaching the Word of God in a Digital Age. The grant is part of Lilly Endowment’s Compelling Preaching Initiative which aims to foster and support preaching that inspires, encourages, and guides people to come to know and love God and to live out their Christian faith more fully. Lilly Endowment launched the Compelling Preaching Initiative because of its interest in supporting projects that help nurture the religious lives of individuals and families and foster the growth and vitality of Christian congregations in the United States.
Through a hybrid delivery network of offerings both in-person and online, in a variety of forms, ranging from courses, workshops, and conferences to podcasts and webinars, the TSI website advances Holy Cross’ commitment to compelling preaching from the pulpit and to continuing education aimed at reaching traditional churchgoers as well as non-churchgoers.
Giving glory to God for everything and thanking you for visiting this website,
Rev. Dr. Eugen J. Pentiuc
Dr. James C. Skedros
The Scriptorium Initiative Co-Directors