Introductory koini Greek

This is an intensive, online, and synchronous course. It meets 28 times, twice a week, for 75 minutes each time, to a total of 35 hours of live instruction and interaction. If you are interested, please follow my website for updates, or use the contact form on the main page and then watch out for an email from me with instructions on how to register. It is offered next between October 13 2025-February 12, 2026, with breaks for holidays, religious and secular.

This course offers a basic introduction to the so called koini Greek, that is, the most common dialect of Greek (at least in common writing) between the 3rd century BC and 14th century AD. This is the language of the Septuagint, the New Testament, and the Greek Fathers of the Church, all the way to the end of the eastern Roman empire (and even beyond).This course will provide a basic yet comprehensive look at the morphology and syntax of this form of Greek in order to facilitate the handling of simple grammatical tools for the reading of simple texts from the Greek Bible and early patristic sources.

Format: Online synchronous, with office hours upon request, for discussions and questions.

Textbook: This course uses my grammar (see the main page of this website). A copy of it will be send to everyone registered for the class, as part of the cost of the class.

Learning objectives: 1. Learn to pronounce koini in a more historically accurate way (compared to the Erasmian system), by using the modern pronunciation. 2. Acquire basic knowledge of koini morphology and syntax. 3. Be able to read simple prose and poetic texts from the Greek Scriptures and early patristic sources. 4. Learn a basic New Testament vocabulary, including most of the words used more than 50 times in the NT.

Class work: This course includes homework on most topics. These exercises will constantly check all knowledge acquired up to that point in the course, in a manner which assesses not the mere memorization of the materials, but rather their comprehension. The homeworks will be corrected individually, but not graded. The corrections will also identify the concepts/areas to which the student should give further attention.

Class structure: Each class will consist of: 1. Review and clarifications of the grammar section of that day. 2. Exercises related to the grammar reviewed.

Attendance: Attendance is an essential part of the learning process. Yet, I will not take attendance in this course.

Absences: All meetings will be recorded and shared with everyone registered. This will allow everyone to catch up in case they have to miss meetings. 

Syllabus and readings: The entire syllabus, all extra readings, and all class materials (including homework) will be available for free to those registered, in a shared folder.

64 thoughts on “Introductory koini Greek

  1. Hello Father, I would like to be notified when you will be teaching this class next. I pray you are doing well!

    In Christ,
    Mark Sultani

  2. Dear Fr. Bunta,

    I’m not too far from St. George (I live about 30 min away) and would love to know if you offer this course again. Following.

    Tomas

  3. Bless, Father

    I would very much like to commit to this class if possible.
    The timeframe is perfect in a number of ways for me.
    I am currently in the Hermeneutics course and heard about this in today’s meeting.

    Edward (Herman)

  4. Oh, so excited! I would love to join for this class, Lord willing. Please keep me informed! I am enjoying the Hermeneutics class.

  5. I would be interested in the Introduction of Koine Greek coursework Fr. Please let me know. I avoided Koine Greek when I went to my protestant seminary (lazy) but by mercy as Orthodox I need to be reconciled since the Septuagint is our mainstay.

  6. Dear Fr Silviu, I would be interested in this class as I am trying to learn the Old Greek if you can keep me on the roster. I really enjoy your Hermeneutics – unfortunately I was in Ro most of the classes and could not attend live as initially planned, but recordings are excellent! Mariana Cuceu

  7. Hi Father: I took Greek in Seminary ages ago, and I want to renew my ability to read the Scriptures in Greek. Please let me know when registration is open. David

  8. Hello Fr Silvu,

    I would like to be notified when the course registration opens up. Thank you!

    In Christ,
    Christopher

  9. Hello Fr. Silviu–

    Please let me know more about the course, and notify me about the registration process. Thanks!

    In Christ,
    Dennis

  10. Hello Father,

    I would be interested in more information about the course. Thank you!

    In Christ,
    Andrew

      1. But If it isn’t too late to sign up for this one I would like to do so please.

  11. Hello Fr. Silviu. I came across your paper (Post loguing the Prologue)and this website just recently. Is it too late to join this course?

    Regards,

    Gregory

  12. Hello, Father. I have been independently dabbling in Biblical Greek without much structure or guidance, but I’d love an opportunity to attend the next Greek course. Please let me know when and how you will be accepting applications and if you need anything from me! God bless.

  13. Hello, Fathers Silviu! Sophrony and I are interested in your next Greek course. Can you please email me the information?

    1. The syllabus was sent as a reply to your own email from August 21. Since you know my email address and you emailed me as recently as August 21, it made no sense to me to send it in any other way. Also it makes no sense that we communicate here when we can just email each other. Please email me.

  14. Hello Father,

    I am interested in enrolling in this course. Could you please share the syllabus with me? I would appreciate it very much.

Leave a Reply