Source: Interfax-Religion
Moscow, October 12, 2015
Presidium of the Supreme Attestation Commission of the Russian Education Ministry has approved a passport for the new scientific specialty "theology," reports the commission's website.
WIthin the framework of the new specialty, sacred scriptures and other religious literature will be analyzed, including their historical, archaeological, religious, and cultural contexts, along with theological studies of religious art, as well as studies of social teachings, legal norms, everyday activities of religious organizations, and rites and divine services will be carried out.
Speaking in January 2015 to the State Duma, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia pointed out the importance of developing theological education that had always been recognized in Europe. He noted that there was a possibility to study theology in Bachelor's and Master's studies, but "for some reason it is impossible to do so in the framework of a doctorate."
"You can be a master, but you can't be a doctor, only because someone refuses to include theology in the list of scientific studies," he lamented.
Earlier, aspirants in Russia were able to study Christian, Islam, Jewish and Buddhist theology: in May 2014, the Education Ministry accepted the federal state education standard for higher education on "theology."
