University of Divinity

St Athanasius College

St Athanasius College (SAC) specialises in Coptic Orthodox theological studies both on campus and online. Christian fellowship, liturgical worship and learning are at the heart of our community.

I am delighted to welcome local, interstate and international students to St Athanasius College (SAC) to participate in our online and on-site classes as part-time and full-time students.

I welcome school graduates, university students, Sunday School teachers, youth leaders, ministry workers and seminarians to study theology and be spiritually formed.

The College is on a growth trajectory. The new Eporo Tower Campus, opened in 2017, presents new learning opportunities for both Melbourne-based and interstate students.

At SAC we offer a selection of rich, diverse and distinctly Orthodox theological units in the School of Alexandria tradition, as founded by St Mark the Apostle.

SAC has delivered theological courses in the Coptic Orthodox Christian tradition since 2000 and was accredited in 2011 as a College of the University of Divinity.

We have built a reputation for thought leadership through our diverse course offerings which include undergraduate, postgraduate and higher research degrees.

I wish you every success in your studies. May your God-given talents shine and may all that you do in your life be for the glory of God.

Fr Daniel Ghabrial
Principal
St Athanasius College

History

Our college is named after St Athanasius, the great pillar and defender of the Scriptural doctrine of Christ. St Athanasius the Apostolic (20th Pope of Alexandria) stood boldly in defence of the biblical doctrine of Christ. We follow in the footsteps of St Athanasius by pres

We support local and international students as they journey towards a deeper understanding of Orthodox Christianity and spirituality, helping them grow in their faith as they prepare for diverse fields of ministry.

SAC provides a positive and supportive learning environment nurturing spiritual growth and cultivating the gifts of each individual. This is achieved through the pursuit of prayer, knowledge, communication, service and fellowship to each other, through the Grace of God. Our students are equipped with the ministry skills and confidence to serve in the priesthood and religious life. We also prepare lay people to serve as theologians, religious educators, youth leaders and mission workers.

Classes are held at our Donvale Campus, based on 22 acres of bushland in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, and our Eporo Tower Campus which is located in the Melbourne CBD. Residential facilities are onsite for full-time and part-time students, to help them more fully participate in liturgy, prayer and community life.

    Partner organisation/s

    St Athanasius College proudly partners with the following organisations:

  • Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions

    The Coptic Orthodox Church has in the last forty years spread all over the world. There is a large Coptic community in Victoria with seven churches, two schools, a monastery, one theological college and a conference centre. In 1999 His Grace Bishop Suriel was appointed to be the Bishop of the Diocese of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions.

General contact
(+61) 3 8872 8452
PO Box 1153, Mitcham North, Victoria 3132, Australia
For coursework students
Dr Peter Dobson
Registrar and Academic Dean
(+61) 3 8872 8452
For research (HDR) students
Dr Lisa Agaiby
Research Coordinator
(+61) 3 8872 8452
Last updated on 18 June 2020 at 3:02pm