The Nastati Institute of Orthodox Christian Pastoral Studies
The Gregorian Fellowship for Orthodox
Christian Psychology
Preamble
Man is responsible for the restoration of the lost well-being and harmony of
the world (Heb., tikkun olam) since it became accursed for the sake of
his
 own
will (Gen. 3:17). The fall of the world began in man, and it is in man that its
renewal will come about. Man who changed the world for the worse is now called
upon, as co-workers with Christ, to change it for the better. But we must begin
to mend the world by first mending ourselves by a mending the soul (Heb.,
tikkun neshef). The "unfolding" of our True Self from out of the vast potential
given to us by God in creating us "in His image" can remain dormant for years or
may develop in an adaptive manner having negative impact upon our relationships
with God, and other people in our lives. The vocation of mankind is to attend
to this unfolding or emergence to the fullness of the "image of God" in us thus
attaining by grace to the "likeness of God". St. Irenaeus has stated rightly
that, "The Glory of God is a human being fully alive!".
Our Mission
Nastati Institute for
Orthodox Pastoral Studies is a research center under the auspices of the
Hermitage of St. John the Theologian (USA). Nastati --Serbian for
"emerge"-- labors
are primarily for the investigation in the Patristic Writers for the
contemporary development and elucidation of what we expect to be an ancient and
genuine Orthodox Christian Psychology and its own therapy. Secondarily, Nastati
Institute concerns itself with the pastoral role of all clergy, monastics and
laity delivering Pastoral Care with compassion, precise and quality that marks
our Love for God in all settings.
Our Motto
"Emerge! The Coming Forth of the True Self in the Image of
God" (sm)
Our Dialogical Publications via Saint Theodore Hermitage
Press
Emerge! Journal for an Orthodox
Christian Psychology
- to distill, express
and disseminate information and articles within the realm of Orthodox Theology
that presents the true sense of a genuine "Psychology". It is our hope that
such an "Orthodox Christian Psychology" shall prove useful in the therapeutic
milieu beyond that of pastor/parishioner or the elder/monk relationships. These
dyads of helping transcend the clinician/client relationship that secular
psychology has so often led astray. As for the Therapy of such an Orthodox
Psychology, we may be open to the integration of modalities and techniques from
various post-Freudian systems, in particularly those of the Existential
Psychotherapies. Such labor as this is akin to the Early Church Father's
adaptation and transformation of ancient Greek Philosophies. [
more ]
Emerge! Forum for an Orthodox Christian
Psychology -
an online forum where the issues and subjects of
"an Orthodox Christian Psychology" can be discussed and hammered out towards a
concise Orthodox theology of human psychology and its methodological therapy.
This Forum is hosted on Yahoo! Groups discussion environment. [
more ]
The Milan Journal of Orthodox Pastoral Care
- An online journal by and for the
clergy, monastics and ministering laity in the Archdiocese of New York & New
Jersey (Synod of Milan) addressing all aspects of Pastoral Care, its Scriptural
and Patristic foundation, its traditional theology and practice in the
21st century America, Serbia, South Africa and Western Europe faithful.
Click over to our
Saint Theodore Hermitage Press
pages [
here
]
for more information.
Also:
Nastati Institute is hoping to facilitate the establishment of
The Gregorian Fellowship for Orthodox Christian
Psychology - a professional association of Orthodox Christian
clergy, monastics and laity who wish to dedicate themselves to the full
expression of a genuine Orthodox Christian Psychology (instead of applying
secular psychological sciences to the Orthodox situation). The Gregorian
Fellowship -- under the spiritual protection of Saint Gregory of Nyssa -- is
currently in its formative stage. Join us now and be among the founders of what
is anticipated to be a great adventure and rewarding fellowship with other
Orthodox Christians in the fields of mental health and spiritual direction.. To
enroll contact the
Nastati Institute.
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