Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1983

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Speech

Abstract

The study of Eastern Orthodox rhetorical training of the clergy has been somewhat confined, due in part, to the broad distribution of the Orthodox faith which includes Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, and Ukrainian Orthodox. The limited scope of research appears to justify further investigation of rhetorical· training offered to clergy of specific denominations. Therefore, a study of the rhetorical components in the homiletic training offered Ukrainian Orthodox clergy seems warranted. In undertaking this study, the investigator was motivated in part by her father-in-law, Bishop Mykola Haleta, who is a priest in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Exposure to the Ukrainian Orthodox communities of New York and New Jersey revealed to the investigator that religion and the religious leaders are the focal point of cultural activities and ties. The question arises as to what kind of communication and rhetorical training these leaders receive. Through Bishop Haleta almost total access was available to relevant resources at the St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Seminary in South Bound Brook, New Jersey and the library of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The St. Sophia Seminary is the only seminary in the United States training clergy for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The major portion of information available at the St. Sophia seminary was printed in the Ukrainian language. Through the investigator's husband, Alexander Haleta, the information was translated and applied to the proposed study. Additional interviews were necessary with members of the seminary staff and these also. required translation. The investigator seemed uniquely positioned to undertake this study, since Bishop Haleta provided access to pertinent information and the investigator's husband availed himself for translation of necessary material. It seems unlikely that a situation such as this would occur with frequency, thus it appeared most natural for the investigator to undertake the proposed study. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent and nature of rhetorical training included in the study of homiletics offered by the St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Seminary. More specifically, answers to the following questions were sought: 1. What is the historical background of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Seminary? 2. Is rhetorical training considered in the study of homiletics? 3. How extensive is the rhetorical training in the Seminary? 4. Is Aristotilean theory the primary model for rhetorical study? 5. How closely are the specific canons of Aristotilean theory followed? A. The canon of invention? B. The canon of arrangement? C. The canon of style? D. The canon of memory? E. The canon of delivery? 6. What are the specific assignments and requirements that students enrolled in the homiletics course are responsible to achieve? skills? 7. What are criteria used to rank performance skills?

Library of Congress Subject Headings

St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Seminary -- Curricula

Preaching

Rhetoric

South Dakota State University Theses

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

120

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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