The attached photo shows some of the graduates of the New Testament class taught as part of the ELCIR Initial Theological Course at the Lutheran Church of Petrozavodsk, Karelia. They were awarded their graduation certificates on August 28, 2022.Initial theological education given during the ITC’s eight modules taught at ELCIR congregations enables the attendees to complete the studies even without having to attend the two-week class periods at the ELCIR Theological Institute in Koltushi, Leningrad Oblast. Successful completion of the ITC program enables the attendee to enter the bachelor’s degree program at the Institute.