THE DYNAMICS OF INFORMAL EDUCATION WITHIN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH: PEDAGOGICAL PERSPECTIVES AND THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS
THE DYNAMICS OF INFORMAL EDUCATION WITHIN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH: PEDAGOGICAL PERSPECTIVES AND THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS

Summary/Abstract: This study explores the conceptual architecture of informal learning, often likened to an “educational iceberg”, specifically examining its manifestation within the ecclesial context of the Romanian Orthodox Church. By integrating theories of the "hidden curriculum" and community-based "black box" learning, the research utilizes a multidisciplinary framework to analyze how spiritual maturation transcends formal instruction. Through an investigation of historical and contemporary models, the paper identifies the mechanisms of tacit and incidental learning. The findings suggest that the Orthodox Church functions as an organic environment for informal education, where liturgical life and relational mentorship facilitate the assimilation of values through participation rather than rote pedagogy. Ultimately, the study demonstrates that the resilience of faith in adverse environments underscores the efficacy of relational pedagogy over ideological indoctrination. The research concludes that informal education remains the most enduring facet of human formation, essential for bridging the gap between intellectual acquisition and holistic spiritual maturity.

• Details
• Contents