Spiritual life at European Christian academy is featured by:
Morning devotions at the Chapel at 9.40 AM,
Evening devotions at the Chapel at 18.00 PM,
Recollections on various topics of spiritual growth meeting students’ interests – every semester,
Meetings and discussions with clergy of traditional Christian Churches about the role of the Church in the life of society,
Theoretical seminar “Anthropology of hesychasm” in the last Thursday of each month (for both students and teachers),
Visits to Orthodox monasteries and holy places (to Crete, Estonia etc.).
On April 17, 2023, ECA lecturer Juris Jefuni delivered a lecture “The Emergence of a New Theological Agenda in Orthodoxy against the Background of the War in Ukraine”. The lecture was held on April 17th, 2023. Event was organized and was received with great interest by the students and public audience and became evident from the lively discussion that followed.
In May 27, 2024, we gathered in the “Byzantine cabinet” at the Academy around memories from archaeological expeditions in the Holy Land, started 30 years ago. It was in 1944 when staff and students of the Academy were invited to join unique archaeological expeditions first in Emmaus / Latroun followed by digs in Geshur. Expeditions […]
Society “Latvian Iconographers” gathers graduates from European Christian Academy, its core are twelve most gifted young artists. They have opened exibition in Skulte ev. lutheran Church in outskirts of Riga presenting diversity, harmony and beauty of Iconographic ornaments. Authors – Agnese Vasiļevska – also our teacher at the Academy, Evija Rudzīte – very talented and […]
We are approaching the end of the study year, and in May 20, 2024. the annual students’ conference at the Academy was held on “Semantics of the Church art”. Very interesting presentations – “Hierotopy and interior of the church building”, “Hierophany and hierotophy”, “Theory of perception of perspective by R.Raushenbach”, “Linear and reverse perspective”, “Proportion […]
Following Easter we are moving towards Pentecost day, often call the “birthday of Church”. Jesus says to His disciples: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John ev. 14:26). Holy Spirit reminds […]
By the initiative of the Publish house “Neputns” two books have come out on Iconography, its history and meaning: “History of the Icon painting: 6th – 20th centuries)” and “Icon: from the Ancciet Rus to Latvia”. These are really unique publications, the first in Latvian language in academic setting. The world of icons is like vast universe attracting special; attention by those who know the art and researchers as being spiritually profound and rich in history. Staff of the Academy also took part in preparation of the publication: Juris Jefuni, Evija Rudzīte and Guntis Dišlers.
Rector of European Christian Academy prof. Skaidrite Gūtmane has received Letter of the Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, in December 8, 2023. The Letter is an exclusive sign of appreciation after 30 years of both research and educational work carried out at the Academy since 1993, especially in the […]
On May 5, 2023, at the invitation of Rabbi Barkakhan, Prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane met with the chairman of the board of the Latvian Jewish religious congregation and association “Shamir”, the Riga Ghetto and the Latvian Holocaust Museum, Dr. Menahem Barkakhan. Issues of mutual cooperation were discussed during the meeting.
In April 20, 2023, President of Latvia met Rector of European Christian Academy prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane and visiting prof. of the Academy, DrHC George v. Durtanossky, professor in Calligraphy and Paleography (Germany, Macedonia), head of SCRIPRORIUM at ECA. Prof. Durtanossky presented to the President the hand-written Preamble of Latvian Constitution, which is an excellent peace of art.
75th anniversary of the State of Israel were celebrated in Riga, April 20, 2023. Ambassador of Israel HE Sharon Rappoport-Palgi in her address in both Latvian and English reminded rich historical and cultural links between Latvia and Israel, and sincerely welcomed all invited guests. Rector of European Christian Academy prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane greeted the Ambassador […]
During easter time, 2023, (April – May) an Icon exhibition was open for visitors at European Christian Academy. Icons were painted by both students and staff, visitors could oberve the icon painting (“writing”) process, take part in workshops lead by icon painter Olesya Aboliņa.
