“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.
Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching.”
2 Timothy 4:2

The purpose of St Paul’s Orthodox Christian Education (SPOCE) is to deliver the Orthodox Christian Faith for the educational building up of faithful in various areas such as Theology, Scripture, Spirituality and Church History as well as the transmission of the intellectual and spiritual heritage of the Orthodox Christian Faith.

Please see below to learn more or click here to register:

SPOCE was established during the days of the Metropolitan Paul Saliba of thrice-blessed memory.

In 2020, Metropolitan Basilios, continuing to build upon the foundations laid before him. His Eminence, Metropolitan Basilios, reinvigorated the course by expanding its curriculum, teachers and classes offered. This invigoration was in accord with the construction of the ‘Antiochian Youth Centre’, which replaced the Old Archdiocese building at 8 Henry Street, Punchbowl.

The expanded curriculum aims to raise the level of knowledge of the faithful in areas of Theology, Scripture, Church History, Spirituality and Liturgics. As introductory short courses, they require no previous study and those between the ages of 18 to 65 are welcome to attend. Content is delivered in English.

This course is recommended for Sunday school teachers, youth leaders and members, choir members and any other person who wishes to increase their knowledge in the Orthodox Christian faith and practice.

2024 Timetable DRAFT( COMING SOON)

Semester 1

Monday

Tuesday Wednesday

Thursday

2024-1

Arabic Catechism Course

Fr Dr John El Karaan and Fr Isaac Zghaib

Class Full

Arabic Catechism Course

Fr Dr John El Karaan and Fr Isaac Zghaib

Class Full

The Mystery of The Holy Trinity

Fr Theophan Nahas

Semester 2

Monday

Tuesday Wednesday

Thursday

2024-2

TBC
TBC

Not open

Spiritual Themes from the Philokalia

H. E. Metropolitan Basilios

Not open

2024 | Semester 1

Week Date
Week 1 29 January
Week 2 5 February
Week 3 12 February
Week 4 19 February
Mid Term Break 26 February to 3 March
Week 5 4 March (Great Lent)
Week 6 12 March (Great Lent)
Week 7 18 March (Great Lent)
Week 8 25 March (Great Lent)

2024 | Semester 2

Week Date
Week 1 26 August
Week 2 2 September
Week 3 9 September
Week 4 16 September
Week 5 23 September
Mid Term Break 30 September to 6 October
Week 6 7 October
Week 7 14 October
Week 8 21 October

Classes will start at 7:00 pm and typically finish around 8:30 pm with a short break. This may be adjusted slightly by the teacher as necessary depending on the content delivery. Face to face classes will be delivered at the Antiochian Youth Centre located at Punchbowl, NSW.

Each unit will run for 8 classes with attendance will be marked, to successfully pass the unit, the student needs to attend at least six of the eight classes and successfully complete the assigned task(s). Classes will be held at the Antiochian Youth Centre in Punchbowl, NSW. Dates and times will be published on the website.

Each unit will contain a short one-page assignment and/or exam (approximately 500 words).

Students that have successfully completed unit will be eligible for a statement of attainment which will be prepared once per calendar year. Please be advised that this statement is for personal use and is not accredited for academic credit.

To register your interest and join our communication list, click here.

If you have problems using the above link, use this link here:

When our units run, there is a minimal administration fee of $80 per unit which covers the essential costs associated with organising and running the unit.

Deacon Jason Israel (administration and enquiries) [email protected]