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About Us

House of Studies Vision, Mission, Core Values, and Affiliations

Educational and Ecclesiastical Partners

Ecclesiastical patron and academic partner: 
St. Anthony’s is an outreach of and operates under

the supervision and the ecclesiastical authority of

the Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ (ECCC) and

The Most Rev. Dr. Karl Rodig, D.Min., His Eminence

and Ecumenical Primate Archbishop of the ECCC.

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Update May 2, 2023:

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     Permanent Diaconate: All students who are in pursuit to the holy minor order of the permanent Diaconate need a minimum of a bachelor's degree of theology. 

    Transitional Diaconate to Priesthood: The ordination for the transitional diaconate towards the ordination to the Priesthood requires a Master in Divinity. In certain circumstances, there are only a few exceptions: like the candidate for ordination to the permanent and transitional diaconate towards the priesthood is advanced in age (50 years and older), but has studied over the years as catechist, or religious teacher, or has been a pastoral assistant, and has sound experience in the Christian way of life, and has dedicated him/herself profoundly to pastoral care, the candidate is required to fill in needed studies that are pertinent to active priestly ministry.

You may find out more about the general academic agreements by visiting our House of Studies page.

Non-Discrimination Policy

 

Admission to Holy Orders (ordination) is the sole discretion of Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ (ECCC) or the various ecclesiastical bodies of respective jurisdictions.

 

It is the policy of St. Anthony’s Cathedral House of Liturgical Studies not to discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, mental or physical impairment, religion, and national or ethnic origin in its educational programs, student activities, admission policies, employment, and any other seminary program. This policy complies with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service Procedure 321-1, Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments as amended and enforced by the Department of Education.

Description

 

St. Anthony's Cathedral House of Liturgical Studies is a non-profit corporation that operates as a religious educational institution in the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide:

 

  • biblical, theological, and liturgical education to prepare students for community service/social justice and ministry/ordination in their respective communions and denominations,
     

  • professional development for diverse ministries, and
     

  • opportunities for personal and liturgical spiritual formation. 

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St. Anthony formally opened its doors on January 1, 2018. In October 2018, St. Anthony was authorized as a non-stock, non-profit corporation by the State Corporation Commission to transact business in the Commonwealth. In January 2019, it was also recognized by the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt non-profit organization (501c3) and as a public charity (509a2): EIN 83-2618926.

 

In November 2020, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) acknowledged that St. Anthony can provide religious training or theological education in Virginia using its name, pursuant to § 23-276.4 of the Code of Virginia. In February 2022, SCHEV notified St. Anthony’s Cathedral House of Liturgical Studies that it is a religious institution exempt from state regulation and oversight in the Commonwealth of Virginia in accordance with 8 VAC 40-31-50 of the Virginia Administration Code.

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For more details on the cathedral abbey and the saint from whom
St. Anthony's receives its name, click here (cathedral) and here (saint).

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Governance

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St. Anthony's is managed by a corporate board of directors and guided by an advisory board and administration. Click here for a list of the current board and administration. 

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Vision

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St. Anthony's will be a premier source of biblical, theological, and liturgical education that transforms, enriches, and equips students for community service/social justice and ministry in their respective communions and denominations. 

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Mission

 

St. Anthony's Cathedral House of Liturgical Studies is dedicated to transforming and equipping students for community service/social justice and ministry in their communions and denominations by delivering affordable, flexible, challenging, and recognized biblical, theological, and liturgical education and ministerial formation programs, professional development, and opportunities for personal spiritual formation. 
 

The House of Studies primarily serves as an open environment for theological education and liturgical ministerial formation and is open to ecumenical ministries within the Christian faith. 

 

Core Values

 

  • Historical Christian tradition and ethos of morality. 
     

  • Academic excellence, personal integrity, equality, non-discriminatory procedures, and intellectual freedom on the part of all students, faculty, and staff.
     

  • A challenging, affordable theological education that is perceived by students, faculty, staff, the community, and educational partners as adding value to their ministries and enriching their lives.
     

  • A solid educational delivery system that undergoes continuous evaluation and improvement and is built and maintained through:
     

    • Well-trained, motivated faculty, staff, and administrative leaders.

    • Access to an adequate supply of and equal access to tools and resources.

    • A quest for knowledge and understanding through scholastic research and distinction.

    • Rigorous academic standards.

    • Use of modern technology and teaching methods to enhance the educational experience.
       

  • An expanded customer base by growing, strengthening, and delivering educational programs and services that appeal to diverse liturgical populations.
     

  • A secure financial base.

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