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.

To get a sense of our Future Leaders program, you can hear from students and faculty of the Volos Summer Institute – another one of our Future Leaders offerings – in this video.

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

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.