Abstract

This study considers the historical development of Orthodox theological education in Ukraine. It shows periods of development and systematic institutional modernization of theological education in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This study focuses primarily on denominational spiritual professionalism in the higher Orthodox theological educational system. According to the “concept of higher theological education in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” the main task of higher theological education in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is: to provide the required level of training for pastoral ministry candidates, theologians and specialists from other forms of church service, to create conditions for public recognition of the importance of higher theological education and to integrate graduates of higher religious educational institutions into society. The task is solved by developing principles of compatibility for higher theological education with the domestic secular higher education system, as well as, with foreign systems of theological education. Therefore, Orthodox education is characterized by patristic heritage and an oral tradition of pastoral, spiritual formation. Modern concepts of education in the discourse of modernization and reform of the church and secular relations indicate a strengthening of social theological education, part of which is the social teaching of the Orthodox Church.