About the Institution
Saint Mary Theological College & Ethio-American Cultural Institute
A religious and ecclesiastical institution established to serve the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church through faithful theological education, spiritual formation, and cultural preservation.
Visit the ChurchAbout the Institution
Saint Mary Theological College & Ethio-American Cultural Institute is a religious and ecclesiastical institution established to serve the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church through faithful theological education, spiritual formation, and cultural preservation. The College exists to prepare clergy, teachers, and faithful servants who will uphold Holy Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the canonical life of the Church.
Rooted in the apostolic faith and guided by the teachings of the Holy Fathers, the College unites academic rigor with prayer, worship, and disciplined spiritual life. Formation is not merely intellectual, but spiritual and pastoral—shaping the whole person for humble service in the Church and society, in fidelity to Orthodox doctrine, canon law, and liturgical heritage.
Our Ecclesial Foundation
Saint Mary Theological College stands firmly within the faith, doctrine, and Tradition of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. All instruction, formation, and institutional life are conducted in fidelity to the Church’s teachings, liturgical life, and canonical order.
The College recognizes the Church as the guardian of truth and the source of spiritual authority. Therefore, theological education is understood not as independent scholarship, but as service to the Church, obedience to the Tradition, and participation in the life of the Body of Christ.
Our Mission
The mission of Saint Mary Theological College is to provide Orthodox theological education rooted in Holy Scripture, Sacred Tradition, the teachings of the Holy Fathers, and the liturgical life of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. We form clergy and faithful leaders through integrated academic study, spiritual discipline, and pastoral training.
Our Vision
To be a center of Orthodox theological learning and cultural preservation, forming clergy and faithful leaders who will serve the Church with humility, wisdom, and spiritual integrity—rooted in Orthodox faith, disciplined in spiritual life, and faithful in service.
Theological Formation
Theological formation at Saint Mary Theological College is holistic and integrates:
- Holy Scripture — Old and New Testament studies grounded in Orthodox interpretation
- Patristic Theology — The writings and teachings of the Holy Fathers
- Liturgical Studies — Worship, sacraments, hymnody, and church life
- Canon Law — The canonical order of the Church
- Church History — With particular emphasis on Ethiopian Orthodox heritage
- Orthodox Spirituality — Prayer, fasting, repentance, and ascetical life
- Ge’ez Studies — Preservation of sacred language and texts
Students are formed not only through instruction, but through participation in worship, spiritual discipline, and pastoral practice.
Clergy and Lay Formation
Saint Mary Theological College serves both ordained ministry and educated lay service. Our programs prepare:
- Candidates for priesthood and diaconate
- Church teachers and catechists
- Parish servants and ministry assistants
- Faithful seeking deeper theological understanding
Formation is carried out in an atmosphere of prayer, discipline, obedience, and reverence for the Tradition of the Church.
Faculty and Instruction
Our faculty consists of ordained clergy and qualified instructors committed to faithful teaching in accordance with the doctrine, Tradition, and spiritual life of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Clergy provide pastoral oversight and sacramental leadership, while experienced lay instructors contribute academic expertise in Scripture, theology, history, language, and cultural studies.
All instructors are appointed in harmony with the Church’s canonical order and the governance of the College. Faculty members model Orthodox life through prayer, worship, humility, and service.
Ethio-American Cultural Institute
The Ethio-American Cultural Institute serves the mission of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church by preserving, teaching, and promoting Ethiopian Orthodox culture, language, history, and heritage. Through educational programs, cultural initiatives, and community activities, the Institute supports the spiritual life of the faithful and strengthens identity rooted in the Orthodox faith.
The Institute works in harmony with Saint Mary Theological College to nurture continuity, faithfulness, and reverence for Tradition among present and future generations, ensuring that the rich spiritual and cultural heritage of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is faithfully transmitted and preserved.
Governance and Church Relationship
Saint Mary Theological College operates under the spiritual authority of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and in fidelity to her faith, doctrine, and canonical order. The College is guided by ordained clergy who provide spiritual oversight, theological direction, and pastoral leadership.
An administrative board oversees governance, finance, legal compliance, and institutional operations. The board works in harmony with clergy leadership to ensure responsible stewardship, transparency, and accountability, while honoring the spiritual authority and ecclesiastical mission of the Church.
Legal and Religious Status
Saint Mary Theological College & Ethio-American Cultural Institute is a religious educational institution operating in accordance with the faith and canonical tradition of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. In accordance with Texas Education Code §132.002(a)(2), the College is authorized to offer religious instruction and grant religious degrees intended for ministry, theological formation, and service within the Church.