Russian Orthodox Church Opens Its First Seminary Outside Former Soviet Union

The Russian Orthodox Church has opened its first seminary outside the former Soviet Union -- in a small French town outside Paris. The institution is starting modestly, but has big ambitions: to serve Russia's growing diaspora and foster closer ties between Eastern and Western Christian churches, according to the Voice of America (VOA) News website.

Located in the town of Epinay-Sous-Senart, the building is an old convent. But the nuns are gone and the Roman Catholic crosses have been traded for Russian icons and incense.

The seminary was inaugurated in November, 2009 and is starting modestly with 12 students -- mostly from Russia and former Soviet Republics -- enrolled in its five-year program.

There are plans to diversify and grow the student body to 40 over the next few years, with the seminarians also earning master's degrees in theology from the Sorbonne University in Paris.