History and tradition

History of European Christian academy in brief:

  • 1993.05.13. – License issued by the Ministry of Education and Science, Latvia.
  • In 1994 – 2006: a long-term participation in archaeological research project „Emmaus-Latroun” in cooperation with specialists from Finnish Theological institute and Germany under supervision of Israel Antiquities Authority.
  • 1995 – cooperation with Israel Antiquities Authority and Rockefeller Museum (Israel) for promotion of Patristic anthropological studies as revealed in the Judeo-Christian Tradition.
  • 1997 – the first State and International accreditation.
  • Several visits to the Orthodox monastery of Saint Catherine, Sinai, led to penetrating studies of the theological heritage of the Eastern Church Fathers.
  • The Bible art faculty was established in cooperation with Icon painters from Latvia, Russia, Sinai and Israel. Icon painting at the Academy follows the canon of the Eastern Orthodox Church and is available to all students.
  • 1998 – The first graduation ceremony. The unique atmosphere of the day is reflected in the Letter of Appreciation of the State President Mr. Guntis Ulmanis to the Rector of the Academy: „Ministry of your University clearly testifies to successful synthesis of education and Christian faith when we all take part in the rebuilding of our new State.”
  • 2003 – Latvian Christian Aacademy became a member of the ERASMUS European Universities Charter permitting wide-spread mobility to universities of other countries. Active participation in the ERASMUS programmes of the Bologna Process work for wide spectrum of contracted relationships with universities across Europe. The Academy cooperates with universities and research centers in Finland, Germany, Romania, Hungary, Greece, Lithuania, Estonia, Israel and USA as well as with both Catholic and Orthodox research and networking institutions (since 2004 partnering with EC-EZA, supported by EC, IDC, EUROCS, CAC, Semaines Sociales de France, IXE group etc.).
  • 2003 – An International Board of Advisors was established with highly respected academic experts from Israel, USA, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Belgium. The Board cooperates with the Senate of the Academy (implementation of the concept and international Copyright issues).
  • September 2006 – the Academy moved to the renovated building at Vienības prospekts 23, Jurmala, in the midst of beautiful nature, just a dozen meters from the Baltic Sea shore!
  • Since 2006 the Academy works under the blessings of HE Metropolitan of the Latvian Orthodox Church Alexander.
  • The Academy develops its own academic and pedagogical tradition. In May 2002 the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa DrHC) was established under authority of the Council for Higher Education. Academic and pedagogic excellence was marked: Dr William Bell SHUV Research institute, Seattle, WA, 2002), Metropolitan of the Latvian Orthodox Church Latvia Alexander, the first time ever when the degree from the University was awarded to a clergy of such high status (2007), Mrs. Aija Barča and Mrs. Baiba Rivža members of Latvian Parliament, 2008), Mr Jan Gossner (Principal of Evangelical Lutheran College, Norway), and Mr Eskil Albertsson (former President of the Swedish Alliance Mission, Sweden) (2010), Rev. Mr Jerald Borgie (Penasquitos Lutheran Church, California, USA, 2011), prof. Dr. Dr. Klaus Kießling (Institut für Pastoralpsychologie und Spiritualität; Seminar für Religionspädagogik, Katechetik und Didaktik; Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Sankt Georgen, Germany, 2014), Mrs Roswitha Gottbehut (former Secretary General of EC-EZA, 2016), Mr George van Durtanossky (scriptologist and calligrapher, Germany, Macedonia, 2018 ), prof. Elvyra Aciene (Head of the Social work chair at Klaipeda University, Lithuania, 2020).
  • 2012 – after European expertise of study directions Latvian Christian academy was ranked among the best universities in Latvia.
  • 2012 – Rector of the Academy prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane, prof. Jānis N. Vējš and assist. prof. Dace Dolace were awarded by the Ministry of Education and Science for excellent achievements in higher education.
  • 2013 – Latvian Christian academy underwent regular State and European expertise and assessment of quality of study directions (Visual Arts, Social Welfare and Theology) receiving accreditation for maximum duration 6 years. Experts’ evaluated all study programmes as “qualitative, sustainable study opportunities”.
  • Rector of the Academy prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane was awarded with the order of Russian Orthodox Church of St Olga (2008) and the order of Latvian Orthodox Church of St John (Pommers) of Riga (2011).
  • Diploma issued by the Academy was awarded with the quality hallmark of the European Commision executive agency EACEA (Diploma Supplement Quality Label) (2014). The decision was made following criteria prescribed by the document “ECTS DS Guidelines for applicants”.
  • Latvian Christian academy was awarded with prestigious prize “Spārni 2015” (Wings 2015) as the best among Latvian Universities in the international Erasmus, Comenius, Leonardo da Vinci and Grundtvig projects’ competition organized by the Latvian State Education Development Agency (VIAA), December 2015.
  • April 2021 rating in U-Multirank University Ranking ECA was among 7 the best Latvian Universities.
  • May 20, 2022 – the title of Latvian Christian Academy was changed to EUROPEAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (ECA). European Christian Academy is legal successor of rights and responsibilities of Latvian Christian Academy.