Send us a text [Episode 42: Caveat on Trinity and Grace of God, Part 6 of Cyril of Alexandria, C. Veniamin] Series: Mystical Theology Episode 42: Caveat on Trinity and Grace of God, Part 6 of Cyril of Alexandria, C. Veniamin In Episode 42: Caveat on Trinity and Grace of God, Part 6 of Cyril of Alexandria, Dr. Veniamin pauses his presentations on the Christology of Cyril of Alexandria, in order to bring back in to focus the Cappadocian understanding of hypostasis, upon which Cyril bases his empha...
May 25, 2025•34 min•Season 3Ep. 42
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 41: Cyril of Alexandria, With Scholion on Appolinarius of Laodicea, Intro to Christology, Pt 5, C. Veniamin In Episode 41 of our Mystical Theology, Dr. Veniamin continues his presentation of the Christology of St. Cyril of Alexandria, emphasizing the divinity of the Logos made flesh, and an important note on the heresy of Apollinarius of Laodicea (c.310 - c.390). For a list of the various themes contained therein, see the Timestamps below. Q&A...
Apr 27, 2025•25 min•Season 3Ep. 41
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 40: Cyril of Alexandria, Introduction to Christology, Part 4, Dr. C. Veniamin In Episode 40 of our Mystical Theology, Dr. Veniamin presents the foundations of Christology as formulated by St. Cyril, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria (d. 444), in the context of the Nestorian controversy (429 – 431). For a list of the various themes contained herein, see the Timestamps below. Q&As available in The Professor’s Blog Recommended background reading: ...
Apr 13, 2025•28 min•Season 3Ep. 40
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 39: Alexandria and Antioch: Christological Tendencies, Intro Pt 3, Dr. C. Veniamin In Episode 39 of our Mystical Theology, the tendencies to be found in Alexandrian and Antiochian Christology are discussed as a prelude to our overview of the Christology of Cyril of Alexandria (d. 444). See also the themes in the Timestamps below. Q&As available in The Professor’s Blog Recommended background reading: Christopher Veniamin, ed., Saint Gregory Pal...
Apr 06, 2025•24 min•Season 3Ep. 39
Send us a text Episode 10: “Repentance and The Prison”, in John of the Ladder, Dr. C. Veniamin Unit 15: “John of the Ladder: Principles of the Christian Life”, by Prof. Christopher Veniamin Series: “Mystical Theology" “Repentance and The Prison”, Episode 10 in our series, "John of the Ladder”, is based on the reading of the first half of Step 5: “On Repentance… and about the Prison”, is one of the most challenging chapters in Patristic theology and the spiritual life. Presented by Dr. Christophe...
Mar 30, 2025•42 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 38: The Nestorian Perspective: Intro to Christology, Part 2, Dr. C. Veniamin In Episode 38 of our Mystical Theology, the difference between symmetrical and asymmetrical dyophysite Christologies is described, and in the process the Christological views of Theodore of Mopsouestia (c. 350-428) and Nestorius of Constantinople (d. c. 451) are presented as a prelude to the great contribution of Cyril of Alexandria. For other themes included in this pres...
Mar 13, 2025•27 min•Season 3Ep. 38
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 36: Could Christ have sinned? Intro to Christology, Dr. C. Veniamin In Episode 36 of our Mystical Theology, Dr. Christopher Veniamin introduces the central doctrine of the Christian Faith - the Church’s teaching on the mystery of the Person of Jesus Christ - by asking the question, “Could Christ have sinned?”. For themes included in this presentation, see the Timestamps below. Q&As available in The Professor’s Blog Recommended background readi...
Feb 28, 2025•36 min•Season 3Ep. 36
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 35: John Chrysostom: The Language of Holy Scripture, Eunomius & The Light of Tabor, Dr. C. Veniamin With Episode 34, we come to the end of Volume 1 of our series, Mystical Theology. Through Chrysostom’s appreciation of the Transfiguration of Christ on Tabor, we catch a glimpse of the theological presuppositions, the gnosiology, of one of the greatest commentators of Holy Scripture in the history of Christianity. And we note that his theology, ...
Feb 15, 2025•28 min•Season 3Ep. 35
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 33: Conclusions to Augustine, Part 2: Gregory of Nyssa, Life of Moses, Part 6 of The Cappadocian Fathers, Dr. C. Veniamin In Episode 33, we have the second part of our Conclusions to the Unit on the Cappadocian Fathers and Augustine of Hippo. This consists of Gregory of Nyssa’s Life of Moses (paragraphs 152-169), in which St. Gregory presents the God-seer Moses in his ascent towards God and deification (theosis). One of the key themes in Nyssa’s a...
Feb 01, 2025•32 min•Season 3Ep. 33
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 32: Conclusions to Augustine, Part 1: Basil the Great & Gregory the Theologian, C. Veniamin In Episode 32, we return to the Cappadocian Fathers by way of conclusion, following our overview of Augustine of Hippo, in order to bring us back to an Orthodox approach to the mystery of the Holy Trinity. We attempt a clarification of the essence-energies distinction as taught by Basil the Great, and proceed from there to a broader discussion of what i...
Jan 25, 2025•24 min•Season 3Ep. 32
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 31: Three Basic Mistakes, Augustine of Hippo on the Holy Trinity, Episode 31, Mystical Theology, Dr. C. Veniamin Based on St. Augustine’s De Fide et Symbolo , this presentation discusses three erroneous presuppositions made by the Bishop of Hippo, and perpetuated by his followers, which have influenced subsequent generations in the Franco-Latin Christianity of the West. These assumptions, discerned by Fr. John Romanides, one of the foremost Orthod...
Jan 06, 2025•23 min•Season 3Ep. 31
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 28: Augustine’s Essentialism and the Essence–Energies Distinction of Basil the Great, Part 9 of Augustine of Hippo: An Orthodox Perspective, Dr. C. Veniamin In Part 9 of our presentations on Augustine of Hippo a comparison is made between the theological approach of Augustine and Basil the Great vis-a-vis the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, based on our reading of Augustine’s De Trinitate Book IX, and of Basil’s Epistles 2 and 234. A brief explanati...
Dec 22, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 28
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 27: Further Reading & Commentary, Reading De Trinitate Book IX, Part 8 of Augustine of Hippo: An Orthodox Perspective, Dr. C. Veniamin In Part 8 of “Augustine of Hippo: An Orthodox Perspective”, Episode 27 of our series in “Mystical Theology”, we continue our reading and commentary on Book IX of St. Augustine’s De Trinitate; and in so doing we delve into Augustine's theological presuppositions. Other themes broached in this episode are listed ...
Dec 09, 2024•30 min•Season 3Ep. 27
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 26: Reading & Commentary, Reading De Trinitate Book IX, Part 7 of Augustine of Hippo: An Orthodox Perspective, Dr. C. Veniamin In Part 7 of “Augustine of Hippo: An Orthodox Perspective”, Episode 26 of our series in “Mystical Theology”, we continue our reading and commentary on Book IX of St. Augustine’s De Trinitate; and in so doing we touch on such key questions as, “What is theology?” and “Who is a theologian?”. Other themes broached in this...
Nov 29, 2024•24 min•Season 3Ep. 26
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 25: “What Is Meant By The Spiritual Life?”, Part 6 of Augustine of Hippo: An Orthodox Perspective, Dr. C. Veniamin In Part 6 of “Augustine of Hippo: An Orthodox Perspective”, Episode 25 of our series in “Mystical Theology”, we attempt to outline some of the distinguishing characteristics of the Orthodox spiritual life. Other themes broached in this episode are listed in the Timestamps below. Q&As available in The Professor’s Blog Recommended b...
Nov 16, 2024•26 min•Season 3Ep. 25
Send us a text Episode 11: “By Way of Conclusion” Unit 15: “John of the Ladder: Principles of the Christian Life”, by Prof. Christopher Veniamin Series: “Mystical Theology" “By Way of Conclusion”, Episode 11 in our series, "John of the Ladder”, consists of concluding remarks regarding our brief overview of Steps 4 and 5 of the famous Ladder of Divine Ascent by the great John Climacus. Presented by Dr. Christopher Veniamin, themes from this episode are listed in the Timestamps below. Q&As ava...
Nov 03, 2024•24 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 24: “De Trinitate”, Book IX, Augustine of Hippo: An Orthodox Perspective, Part 5, Dr. C. Veniamin In Part 5 of “Augustine of Hippo: An Orthodox Perspective”, Episode 24 of our series in “Mystical Theology”, we conclude our remarks on St. Augustine’s “Commentary on Ps. 134:3 (135:3)”, and then begin reading from Book IX of his “de Trinitate”. Particular attention is given to Augustine’s understanding of “sure knowledge” in the Life to Come in contr...
Oct 25, 2024•24 min•Season 3Ep. 24
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 23: “Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good” (Ps. 135:3), Augustine of Hippo: An Orthodox Perspective, Part 4, Dr. C. Veniamin In Part 4 of “Augustine of Hippo: An Orthodox Perspective”, Episode 23 of our series in “Mystical Theology”, we discuss the significance of St. Augustine's commentary of Psalm 135:3: “Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good”. Other themes broached in this episode are listed in the Timestamps below. Q&As available in The P...
Oct 09, 2024•32 min•Season 3Ep. 23
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 22: Augustine of Hippo: An Orthodox Perspective, Part 3, Revelation of "I AM" (Exod. 3:18), with Prof. Christopher Veniamin In Part 3 of “Augustine of Hippo: An Orthodox Perspective”, Episode 22 of our series in “Mystical Theology”, we discuss St. Augustine's understanding of the revelation of "I AM", given to Moses on Sinai (Exod. 3:14). See Timestamps for other themes. Q&As available in The Professor’s Blog: https://mountthabor.com/blogs/the...
Oct 08, 2024•41 min•Season 3Ep. 22
Send us a text Episode 9: Holy Myrrh and Holy Relics Unit 15: “John of the Ladder: Principles of the Christian Life”, by Prof. Christopher Veniamin Series: “Mystical Theology" “Holy Myrrh and Holy Relics”, Episode 9 in our series, "John of the Ladder, is based on the readings, “About Menas” and “About Saint Acacius”. In it, inter alia , Prof. Christopher Veniamin discusses the significance of holy myrrh and holy relics. Themes from this episode are listed in the Timestamps below. Q&As availa...
Sep 29, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Send us a text Episode 8: How to Deal with Pain and Suffering Unit 15: “John of the Ladder: Principles of the Christian Life”, by Prof. Christopher Veniamin Series: “Mystical Theology" In Episode 8 of "John of the Ladder, Prof. Christopher Veniamin reads the sections “Macedonius the archdeacon” and “Again about the steward”, who are placed before us as an examples of Christlike humility. Themes include accepting injustice, how the Saints deal with suffering and the enemy, thoughts, reason and th...
Aug 16, 2024•25 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 21: Augustine of Hippo: An Orthodox Perspective, Part 2, Analogies, with Prof. Christopher Veniamin In Part 2 of “Augustine of Hippo: An Orthodox Perspective”, Episode 21 of our series in “Mystical Theology”, we present the terminology of St. Augustine's "analogies of Trinity". Our episode begins with a brief clarification regarding Augustine’s two sources of divine revelation: Holy Scripture (analogy of faith) and creation (analogy of being); and...
Aug 12, 2024•47 min•Season 3Ep. 21
Send us a text Episode 7: Compassion, the Body, and St. Abbacyrus Unit 15: “John of the Ladder: Principles of the Christian Life”, by Prof. Christopher Veniamin Series: “Mystical Theology" In Episode 7 of "John of the Ladder, Prof. Christopher Veniamin talks about the compassion of the Saints, the place of the human body in the spiritual life, and the remarkable example of St. Abbacyrus, who teaches us how to handle adversity. Themes from this episode are listed in the Timestamps below. Q&As...
Aug 03, 2024•26 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 20: Augustine of Hippo: An Orthodox Perspective, Part 1, Introduction, Episode 20 in Mystical Theology, with Prof. C. Veniamin In Part 1 of “Augustine of Hippo: An Orthodox Perspective”, Episode 20 of our series in “Mystical Theology”, we present the theology of the most influential Christian figure in Western thought. Our introduction begins by making reference to Augustine’s seminal work on the Trinity, and setting the context of his approach to...
Jul 31, 2024•25 min•Season 3Ep. 20
Send us a text Unit 15: “John of the Ladder: Principles of the Christian Life”, by Prof. Christopher Veniamin Series: “Mystical Theology" In Episode 6 of "John of the Ladder, Prof. Christopher Veniamin discusses the benefits for lay folk of reading literature that is intended first and foremost for a monastic audience. Themes from this episode are listed in the Timestamps below. Q&As available in The Professor’s Blog: https://mountthabor.com/blogs/the-professors-blog Recommended background r...
Jul 20, 2024•24 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 19: "Hypostasis": the Threeness of God, The Cappadocian Fathers, Pt 4, Prof. Christopher Veniamin In Part 4 of “The Cappadocian Fathers”, Episode 19 of our series in “Mystical Theology”, we present the doctrine of the mystery of the Threefoldness of God. Themes broached are listed in the Timestamps below. Q&As available in The Professor’s Blog: https://mountthabor.com/blogs/the-professors-blog Recommended background reading: Christopher Veniam...
Jul 14, 2024•28 min•Season 3Ep. 19
Send us a text St Isidore, St Laurence & St Sophrony, in John of the Ladder, Ep 5, Prof. C. Veniamin Unit 15: “John of the Ladder: Principles of the Christian Life”, by Prof. Christopher Veniamin Series: “Mystical Theology" In Episode 5 of "John of the Ladder, Prof. Christopher Veniamin presents two great examples of Christian obedience, St Isidore and St Laurence, and also adds a story from the life of his spiritual father, St Sophrony the Athonite; all of which serve to illustrate that ins...
Jul 08, 2024•24 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 18: The Cappadocian Fathers, Pt 3: The "Monarchy" of God the Father, Ep 18, Prof. Christopher Veniamin In Part 3 of “The Cappadocian Fathers”, which is Episode 18 of our series in “Mystical Theology”, we present the doctrine of the “Monarchy” of the Father in the context of the mystery of the Triune God. Themes broached are listed in the Timestamps below. Q&As available in The Professor’s Blog: https://mountthabor.com/blogs/the-professors-blog...
Jul 01, 2024•27 min•Season 3Ep. 18
Send us a text St Sophrony and the Divine Liturgy, John of the Ladder, Ep 4, Prof. C. Veniamin Unit 15: “John of the Ladder: Principles of the Christian Life”, by Prof. Christopher Veniamin Series: “Mystical Theology" In Episode 4 in the series, "John of the Ladder, Prof. Christopher Veniamin takes the opportunity to describe something of what it was like to experience the Divine Liturgy when St. Sophrony was serving. Serving in the Holy Altar for a number of years in his youth, watching his spi...
Jun 22, 2024•22 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 17: The Cappadocian Fathers, Part 2: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, Gregory of Nyssa, "Mystical Theology", Episode 17, Prof. C. Veniamin Episode 17 of our “Mystical Theology” series is deeper probe in to the trinitarian theology of the great Cappadocian Fathers: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, Gregory of Nyssa, and also Amphilochius of Iconium. Following a reading of Letter 234 on the Essence–Energies distinction, we explore the...
Jun 16, 2024•32 min•Season 3Ep. 17
