Under the spiritual patronage of our holy father among the saints, St. Gregory of Nyssa, The Gregorian Fellowship for Orthodox Christian Psychology is an association of theologians, mental health professionals, clergy and monastics united by their Orthodox Christian Faith and share in the Fellowship’s goal of elucidating a viable “psychology of personhood” based upon Orthodox theology & Patristic Wisdom. Our next aim is to develop an Orthodox Psychotherapy by sound integration of ascetical and pastoral practice with useful and appropriate modalities from secular psychology.
We are at the grass roots stage. It is our hope that at some moment in the future the members of The Gregorian Fellowship will formalize, organizationally, thus becoming an international source of education, training, certification while never loosing sight of its fellowship quality. Our purpose is in the healing and care of the triadic personhood of those in need. Therefore, this is a pan-Orthodox fellowship not discriminating against one’s jurisdictional affiliation.
We are aware of the honorable work of OCAMPR and other similar labors by Orthodox Christians among the helping professions. The purpose and goals of The Gregorian Fellowship is much more specific; to the elucidation of a Patristic Psychology and the integration of secular Psychotherapy where appropriate. We believe that The Gregorian Fellowship, OCAMPR and other such ventures are capable of, not only coexisting but, being mutually complementary and cooperative.
How to join!
If you are 1. an Orthodox Christian and 2. either a theologian, mental health professional (be ye layman, clergy or monastic) you qualify for full membership.
If you are 1. an Orthodox Christian and 2. a seminarian or university student (of theology and/or psychology) you qualify for associate membership.
Simply sign up here to gain access and you are in. All new members newly joined will be checked to verify admission qualifications. Dues will be determined by the membership at some future time.
The First Task
…of The Gregorian Fellowship is for its members to be engaged in dialogue on various issues related to our overall goals. Such conversations are conducted in any number of “interest groups” on this website.
The Second Task
…of The Gregorian Fellowship is to publish original papers, articles, reviews, case studies and Gregorian Fellowship position papers in the Fellowship’s online publication Emerge! Journal for an Orthodox Christian Psychology.
Our Future Labors
As we grow in membership and develop organizationally we hope that in the future The Gregorian Fellowship will sponsor its own conferences, retreats, workshops, a hardcopy version of Emerge! Journal, establish education criteria and a training institute as well as implementing a certification protocol and procedures for the proper practice of Patristic Psychology.
“The Glory of God is found in the Fullness of Man”
-GF motto.
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