Georgian Winter Institute
Kobuleti, Georgia
An initiative of IOTA’s Future Leaders Program, the Georgian Winter Institute (GWI) will gather up to 40 emerging Orthodox scholars and leaders for 12 days in January 2027, bookending and overlapping with the IOTA megaconference. Participants — men and women ages 21–35, in graduate or postgraduate Orthodox studies — will meet virtually twice during late 2026, begin in-person study three days before the megaconference, attend its sessions, and continue study for three days afterwards. Tuition, travel up to €400, meals, lodging, and the conference fee will be covered for all admitted participants.
The GWI provides inspiring, rigorous theological training alongside skilled mentorship by Orthodox scholars and clergy, in community with other emerging Orthodox leaders from around the world, in a pedagogy that engages the whole person — spiritually and intellectually. The goal of the GWI is to cultivate participants’ vision of their academic work as an integrated part of their spiritual life and their calling to serve the Church and the world, through rigorous theological study and by generating meaningful, multifaceted relationships and a culture of community and collaboration that crosses national and ethnic boundaries.
Course of Study
The course of study consists of four modules:
The course of study includes readings, lectures, open discussion, written responses, and final presentations.
Faculty
Faculty for the GWI include (in alphabetical order): Dr. Nikolaos Asproulis, Rev. Dr. John Behr, Dr. Lori Peterson Branch, His Grace Bishop Gerasim (Eliel), Dr. Paul Gavrilyuk, Dr. Tamara Grdzelidze, Dr. Nathan Hoppe, Dr. Dimitrios Keramidas, Dr. Giorgi Khuroshvili, Rev. Dr. Chrysostom Koutloumousianos, Dr. Johannes Oeldemann, Rev. Dr. Harry Pappas, and Dr. Gayle Woloschak.
Schedule
| Date | Day | Program |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Jan | Thursday | Arrivals |
| 15 Jan | Friday | Module 1 Orthodox Scholars Serving the Church |
| 16 Jan | Saturday | Module 2 Orthodoxy and Tradition |
| 17 Jan | Sunday | Divine Liturgy Conference Divine Liturgy; IOTA Conference begins in the afternoon |
| 18 Jan | Monday | Conference IOTA Conference |
| 19 Jan | Tuesday | Conference IOTA Conference |
| 20 Jan | Wednesday | Conference IOTA Conference |
| 21 Jan | Thursday | Pilgrimage IOTA Pilgrimage to Georgian monasteries |
| 22 Jan | Friday | Module 3 Orthodoxy and Ecumenical Relations |
| 23 Jan | Saturday | Module 4 Culmination and Presentations |
| 24 Jan | Sunday | Divine Liturgy Farewell Divine Liturgy, followed by lunch with Metropolitan Grigoli at Kobi Monastery; Evening: Farewell Banquet |
| 25 Jan | Monday | Departures |
Application
Orthodox students in graduate or postgraduate programs in all fields related to Orthodox Christian Studies are encouraged to apply for admission to the Georgian Winter Institute. IOTA welcomes applicants from all Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches.
