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 ] This online
publication has since been designated as the official organ of
The
Gregorian Fellowship of Orthodox Christian Psychology.
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.
