GP2500 – Spiritual Wisdom of Eastern Christianity

September 10 – November 5, 2026

Dr. Michael Gama

Michael Gama

Course Overview

This course offers an introduction to the spiritual treasures of the Byzantine tradition of Christianity. The first part looks at the distinctive features of its rich liturgical piety. The second part extends this liturgical perspective to include the ways in which icons communicate the mysteries of the faith. And the third part examines the Hesychast tradition, focusing on the Prayer of the Heart.

Application Deadline

PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS, APPLY BY SEPTEMBER 3 TO TAKE THIS COURSE

APPLY TO THE AVILA INSTITUTE NOW

CURRENT STUDENTS, ENROLL HERE

Date & Time

DATE
September 10 – November 5, 2026
TIME
Thursdays, 8:30 PM Eastern
FORMAT
Live, Online & Interactive
TUITION
$550

View Other Avila Courses

All 86 /Avila Summit 2018 0 /Avila Summit 2019 0 /Current Grad Courses 0 /Current SOSF Courses 0 /Español 0 /Graduate Courses 15 /High Calling Modules 0 /Homeschool Courses 0 /Mini-Courses and Webinars 0 /Mystery and Mission in the Sacred Liturgy 0 /Propaedeutic Formation Modules 0 /Spiritual Direction Course 0 /Spiritual Direction Program for Priests Modules 0 /SSF Courses 71 /Uncategorized 0

Bible and the Revelation of Prayer - 1100 — GP1000 – Introduction to Spiritual Theology
September 11 - November 6, 2026

1100 - Bible and the Revelation of Prayer — GP1100–Bible and the Revelation of Prayer
Dates: TBD

1210 - Wisdom of the Saints from St Athanasius to St Bernard of Clairvaux — GP1210–Wisdom of the Saints From Athanasius to Bernard of Clairvaux
September 9 - November 4, 2026

450×450 Catherine of Siena — GP1220 – Wisdom of the Saints from St. Hildegard of Bingen to St. John of the Cross
Dates: TBD

1300 - Gift of the Holy Spirit and the Divine Indwelling — GP1300 – Gift of the Holy Spirit and the Divine Indwelling
Dates: TBD

1400 - Theology of Divine Mercy Conversion and Suffering — GP1400 – Theology of Divine Mercy, Conversion and Suffering
June 30 - August 25, 2026

Spiritual Direction Foundations 450×450 — GP1500 – Spiritual Direction Foundations
Dates: TBD

SSF115 - Evangelization and the Spiritual Life — GP1900–Apostolate
Offered each quarter

2100 - Evangelical Counsels and the Beatitudes — GP2100 – Evangelical Counsels and the Beatitudes
Dates: TBD

2200 Discernment, Degrees of Prayer and Stages of Spiritual Growth — GP2200–Discernment, Degrees of Prayer and Stages of Spiritual Growth
Dates: TBD

2300 Mystery of Mary and Her Role in the Spiritual Life — GP2300 – Mystery of Mary and Her Role in the Spiritual Life
Dates: TBD

2400 Christian and Non-Christian Spiritualities — GP2400 – Christian and Non-Christian Spiritualities
Dates: TBD

2500 Spiritual Wisdom of Eastern Christianity — GP2500 – Spiritual Wisdom of Eastern Christianity
September 10 - November 5, 2026

2600 The Nature of Mystical Wisdom in the Life of the Church — GP2600 – The Nature of Mystical Wisdom in the Life of the Church
Dates: TBD

GP2900 Long Retreat — GP2900–Long Retreat
Offered each quarter

SSF101 Transformation in Christ — SSF101 – Transformation in Christ
Dates: TBD

SSF - Foundations of Prayer and Union with God — SSF102 – Foundations of Prayer and Union with God
September 15 - October 27, 2026

SSF - Foundations of Prayer and Union with God — SSF102 – Fundamentos de la Oración y la Unión con Dios
Fecha: Por Anunciar

Our Life in Christ 450×450 — SSF103 – The Priesthood of Christ and the Devotional Life
Dates: TBD

SSF 104 Introduction to the Sacred Liturgy 450×450 — SSF104 – Introduction to the Sacred Liturgy
Dates: TBD

SSF105 Discernment of Spirits — SSF105 – Discernimiento de Espíritus
Fecha: Por Anunciar

SSF105 Discernment of Spirits — SSF105 – Discernment of Spirits
July 22 - September 2, 2026

SSF107 - Breaking the Chains that Bind Us — SSF107 – Breaking the Chains that Bind Us: An Introduction to Moral Theology
Dates: TBD

SSF107 - Breaking the Chains that Bind Us — SSF107 Rompiendo las cadenas que nos atan: introducción a la teología moral
8 de septiembre - 13 de octubre de 2026

Spiritual Warfare and the Progress of the Soul 450×450 — SSF108 – Spiritual Warfare and the Progress of the Soul
Dates: TBD

SSF 109 Introduction to the Sacraments 450×450 — SSF109 – Introduction to the Sacraments
Dates: TBD

SSF110 - Introduction to Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity — SSF110–Introduction to Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity
Dates: TBD

SSF112 Introduction to Spiritual Direction — SSF112 Introducción a la Dirección Espiritual
Fecha: Por Anunciar

SSF112 Introduction to Spiritual Direction — SSF112 – Introduction to Spiritual Direction
September 14 - October 19, 2026

God’s Plan for Marriage 450×450 — SSF114 – God’s Plan for Marriage
Dates: TBD

SSF115 - Evangelization and the Spiritual Life — SSF115–Evangelization and the Spiritual Life
Dates: TBD

The Mass in the Old Testament 450×450 — SSF116 – The Mass in the Old Testament: Approaching the Lord with Fear and Trembling
Dates: TBD

SSF117 - Exploring the Source and Summit — SSF117 – Exploring the Source and Summit
July 2 - August 6, 2026

Exploring Theosis Featured Image — SSF118 – Exploring Theosis
Dates: TBD

Standing in the Gap: Responding to the Question: Can You Pray for Me? Featured Image — SSF120 – Unleashing the Power of Intercessory Prayer
Dates: TBD

Descent from the Cross Featured — SSF121 – The Christian Meaning of Suffering According to Saint John Paul II
Dates: TBD

Jesus pokes some guy in the eye 450×450 — SSF123 – The Road to Self-Awareness and Healing
September 1 - October 6, 2026

Jesus pokes some guy in the eye 450×450 — SSF123 – The Road to Self-Awareness and Healing
July 7 - August 11, 2026

Purifying Your Fiat 450×450 — SSF124 – Purification of Your Fiat: Let Your Yes Mean Yes and Your No Mean No
Dates: TBD

SSF 125 Sacramentals, The Liturgy of the Hours, and Devotions 450×450 — SSF125 – Sacramentals, the Liturgy of the Hours, and Devotions
September 10 - October 22, 2026

Credo 450×450 — SSF126 – Credo: Authentic Faith and Practice in an Age of Confusion
Dates: TBD

Credo Part Two 450×450 — SSF127 – Credo: Authentic Morality and Right Worship in an Age of Confusion
July 21 - September 1, 2026

SSF 128 450×450 — SSF128 – Deeper into the Castle: The Dark Night and Contemplation
November 11 - December 16, 2026

Being Truly Human in an Age of Techno-Spirituality — SSF129 – Being Truly Human in an Age of Techno-Spirituality
Dates: TBD

The Spirituality of the Martyrs 450 x 450 — SSF130 – The Spirituality of the Martyrs: Contemplating the Face of Christ
November 3 - December 15, 2026

Spe Salvi — SSF131 – Spe Salvi: Benedict XVI’s Theology of Hope
Dates: TBD

Jørgen Roed, La scala santa i klostret San Benedetto ved Subiaco, 1857 — SSF132 – Twelve Steps to Sacred: Becoming the Saint God Made You to Be
Dates: TBD

Beginners Latin for Liturgy and Prayer — SSF133 – Beginner’s Latin for Liturgy and Prayer
Dates: TBD

SSF210 - Holy Spirit in the Life of the Church — SSF210 – Holy Spirit in the Life of the Church
November 6 - December 18, 2026

Grace Freely Given Course Image 450×450 — SSF213 – Grace Freely Given: A Thomistic Understanding of the Life of Grace
Dates: TBD

Liturgies and Devotions of the Byzantine Rite 450×450 — SSF214 Liturgies and Devotions of the Byzantine Rite
Dates: TBD

SSF 217 450×450 — SSF217 – A Mysticism of the Word: The Bible and Contemplative Prayer
Dates: TBD

SSF 218 450×450 — SSF218 – The Beloved Disciple: Spiritual Wisdom in John’s Gospel
September 4 - October 9, 2026

Padre Pio 450×450 — SSF219 – Padre Pio and the Mystery of the Stigmata
Dates: TBD

Saint Augustine 450×450 — SSF221 – Saint Augustine of Hippo: Our Hearts Are Restless until They Rest in You
Dates: TBD

SSF222-Introduction-to-St-Francis-of-Assisi — SSF222–Introduction to Saint Francis of Assisi
Dates: TBD

SSF223 Introduction to Saint Therese of Lisieux — SSF223–Introduction to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
Dates: TBD

SSF230–Introduction-to-St-Teresa-of-Avila — SSF225 – Introduction to St. Teresa of Avila
July 14 - August 25, 2026

None — SSF226 – Introduction to St. John of Avila
Dates: TBD

Nuptials of the Word 450×450 — SSF227 – The Nuptials of the Word: St. Bernard of Clairvaux on the Song of Songs
Dates: TBD

Edith Stein Featured Image — SSF228 – Living at the Hand of the Lord: The Life and Thought of St. Edith Stein
Dates: TBD

Masterpiece of the Divine Artist 450×450 — SSF229 – Masterpiece of the Divine Artist
Dates: TBD

SSF230 - Introduction to St John of the Cross — SSF230 – St. John of the Cross and Our Journey into the Mystery of God
Dates: TBD

1220 - Wisdom of the Saints from Hildegard of Bingen to John of the Cross — SSF231 – From Healed Psyche to Divine Union: The Psychology of St. John of the Cross
Dates: TBD

St. Benedict and St. Therese Featured — SSF232 – St. Benedict and St. Therese: The Little Rule and the Little Way
Dates: TBD

St. Benedict Featured — SSF233 – How St. Benedict Changed the World
Dates: TBD

450×450 Toledo — SSF234 – The Psychology of St. John of the Cross: Lovingly Moved into Our Right Minds
Dates: TBD

Thomas Aquinas 450×450 — SSF235 – The Spiritual Wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas
Dates: TBD

St. Catherine 450×450 — SSF236 – Saint Catherine of Siena: Radiating the Fire of Love
Dates: TBD

Mystical Wisdom of the Desert Fathers 450×450 — SSF237 – The Mystical Wisdom of the Desert Fathers
Dates: TBD

Russian 7 Sorrows 450×450 — SSF238 – Contemplating the Seven Sorrows of Mary with St. Alphonsus Liguori
Dates: TBD

Mary, Model of Prayer 3 450×450 — SSF239 – My Soul Magnifies the Lord: Mary, the Model of Contemplation
Dates: TBD

Thomistic Psychology and the Progress of the Soul 450x450copy — SSF242 – Thomistic Psychology and the Progress of the Soul
November 2 - December 7, 2026

Holiness – A Course in the Spiritual Classics 450×450 — SSF247 – Holiness: A Course in the Spiritual Classics
Dates: TBD

SSF248 Growth in Holiness: Doctors of the Interior Life — SSF248 – Growth in Holiness: Doctors of the Interior Life
Dates: TBD

SSF249 - Contemplative Prayer and the Beloved Disciple — SSF249–Contemplative Prayer and the Beloved Disciple
Dates: TBD

SSF251 - Marian Apparitions in the Modern World - Fatima Centenary — SSF251 – Marian Apparitions in the Modern World
Dates: TBD

1996.9 — SSF253 – Holiness: A Course in the Spiritual Classics Part II
Dates: TBD

Divine Friendship 450×450 (1) — SSF254 – Divine Friendship: Supernatural Love of the Trinity and the Mystical Body
Dates: TBD

SSF273 - Spiritual Warfare in Modern Times CS Lewis and the Screwtape Letters — SSF273 – Spiritual Warfare in Modern Times: C.S. Lewis and the Screwtape Letters
Dates: TBD

Forming Families for Spiritual Battles — SSF274 – Forming Families for Spiritual Battles: Healing and Deliverance Strategies
Dates: TBD

SSF275 - Angels and Demons — SSF275 – Angels and Demons
Dates: TBD

Visions and Revelations 450×450 — SSF276 – Discernment of Visions and Revelations in the Interior Life
Dates: TBD

SSF279 Healing the Imagination A Reading Course In The Lord of the Rings — SSF279 – Healing the Imagination: A Reading Course in the Lord of the Rings
Dates: TBD

The Mystical Wisdom of the Lord of the Rings 450×450 — SSF280 – The Mystical Wisdom of the Lord of the Rings
Dates: TBD

SSF250 - Contemplative Prayer and the Angelic Doctor — SSF250 – The Mystery of Knowing and the Progress of the Soul in St. Thomas Aquinas
Dates: TBD

Avila Institute Shield

AVILA ARMY

Unable to enroll in a live course?
Join the Avila Army to enjoy unlimited access
to previously recorded courses.