Ever wondered about a place where theology meets modernity? Welcome to the Bibleisko-bogoslovskiy institut svyatogo apostola Andreya. This is also known as St Andrews’s Biblical Theological Institute. People call it BBI for short.
Today we explore its history and significance in Moscow. The Bibleisko-bogoslovskiy institut svyatogo apostola Andreya started its journey in 1990. Protoiereem Aleksandrom Menem founded it. He created it under the name of Voskresnyy pravoslavnyy universitet. On September 8 1990 the first lecture took place. The topic was Christianity. Tragically Alexander Men was murdered on his way to church the next day.
In 1991 the institute was renamed Obschedostupnyy pravoslavnyy universitet. The Obschedostupnyy pravoslavnyy institut then became its official representative. It provided a series of Orthodox lectures. These lectures were for adults.
The Bibleisko-bogoslovskiy institut svyatogo apostola Andreya was officially registered in 1995. It became a higher education institution for theological studies. In 1997 the institute obtained a state license. This license allowed them to offer degrees in theology. In December 2002 it gained state accreditation. It became one of the first theological schools in Moscow. It could then issue state-recognized diplomas.
Alexey Edvardovich Bodrov is the rector. He is a physicist and mathematician. He also serves as the main editor of publications. These include the journals “Pages: Theology culture education” and “World of the Bible”.
Many well-known professors have taught here. These include I L Bagration-Mukhraneli. There is also A A Grib and G B Gutner. Others are Arhimandrit Iannuariy and Aleksey Pavlovich Kozyrev. S A Konacheva also taught here.
The institute has also hosted many distinguished guests. These include Metropolitan Kallistos Ware and Lord Richard Harries. Protoierey Leonid Kishkovsky was also a guest. Historian Valentin Yanin and theologian Hans Kung visited too.
From 1997 to 2012 the Bibleisko-bogoslovskiy institut svyatogo apostola Andreya functioned as a higher education institution. A full course of study lasted five years. The institute prepared specialists. These specialists worked in theology. They were teachers researchers translators and journalists.
Since 2013 the institute changed its status. It became an institution for advanced professional education. It offers programs in theology church history and contemporary biblical studies. There are also programs in religious philosophy and Christian culture.
The Bibleisko-bogoslovskiy institut svyatogo apostola Andreya is also a publishing house. It mainly produces educational materials and biblical commentaries. It also publishes dictionaries. The institute publishes around 200 books. They release these books by July 2015. Important series include “Contemporary Biblical Studies” and “Theological Library”.
The institute partners with other academic organizations. One partner is the Center for the Study of Religions at the Russian State University for the Humanities.
So here stands the Bibleisko-bogoslovskiy institut svyatogo apostola Andreya. It is a place of learning theological discussion and ecumenical dialog. It continues to shape religious thought in Russia and beyond.