Send us a text Obedience to One's Spiritual Father, “On Obedience”, Pt 3, John of the Ladder, Ep 3, Dr. C. Veniamin Unit 15: “John of the Ladder: Principles of the Christian Life”, by Prof. Christopher Veniamin Series: “Mystical Theology" Based on the reading of The Ladder of Divine Ascent, one of the most influential writings in the history of spirituality, the purpose of this series is to introduce the audience to the fundamental themes of obedience and repentance in the context of striving to...
May 31, 2024•38 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Send us a text MT Academy “Holy Saturday, Gen. 1:1–13”, Orthodox Bible Study, Session 2, with Dr. C. Veniamin (Feb 13, 2024) Teaser Recording of the second session of our Bible Study, which took place on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 (at 9 PM Eastern Time). Discussion of the first reading for Holy Saturday, Gen. 1:1–13. See also the Timestamps below. It is hoped that these presentations will help the enquirer discern the interwoven character of Orthodox theology and the Orthodox Christian life, and...
May 25, 2024•44 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 16: The Cappadocian Fathers, Part 1: Introduction, Prof. C. Veniamin Episode 16 of our “Mystical Theology” series is an introduction to the remarkable contribution of the Cappadocian Fathers: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, Gregory of Nyssa, and also Amphilochius of Iconium. Athanasius the Great had emphasized the mystery of the Oneness of the Son and Word of God with God the Father, by means of their "consubstantiality"; while the Cappad...
May 24, 2024•24 min•Season 3Ep. 16
Send us a text MT Academy Bookclub, Saint Silouan the Athonite, “Spiritual Warfare”, Bookclub, Part 3, St. Silouan, Special Edition, Episode 3, with Dr. C. Veniamin (Nov 29, 2023) Recording of the third session of our Bookclub, which took place on Wednesday, Novermber 29, 2023 (at 9 PM Eastern Time), available to channel members only. We started our spiritual itinerary with Sts. Silouan and Sophrony, the Athonites, by reading the first few paragraphs from St. Silouan's own writings, specifically...
May 23, 2024•45 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Send us a text Episode 2: Parenting and Parish Priests, “On Obedience”, Pt 2, Ep 2, in John of the Ladder Unit 15: “John of the Ladder: Principles of the Christian Life”, by Prof. Christopher Veniamin Series: “Mystical Theology" Based on the reading of The Ladder of Divine Ascent, one of the most influential writings in the history of spirituality, the purpose of this series is to introduce the audience to the fundamental themes of obedience and repentance in the context of striving to discover ...
May 10, 2024•23 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 15: Athanasius the Great, Part 5: On God the Word, Pt 3, “On the Incarnation”, Part 2, Prof. C. Veniamin Episode 15 of our “Mystical Theology” series consists of Part 2 of our reading of excerpts from his famous, “On the Incarnation of the Word”. Themes covered in this podcast are listed in the Timestamps below. Q&As related to Episode 15 available in The Professor’s Blog . Recommended background reading: Christopher Veniamin, ed., Saint Grego...
Apr 28, 2024•42 min•Season 3Ep. 15
Send us a text Episode 1: How to Find a Spiritual Father, in John of the Ladder, “On Obedience”, Part 1, Ep 1 Unit 15: “John of the Ladder: Principles of the Christian Life”, by Prof. Christopher Veniamin Series: “Mystical Theology" Based on the reading of The Ladder of Divine Ascent, one of the most influential writings in the history of spirituality, the purpose of this series is to introduce the audience to the fundamental themes of obedience and repentance in the context of striving to disco...
Apr 20, 2024•38 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 14: Athanasius the Great, Part 4: On God the Word, 2 & “On the Incarnation”, 1 Episode 14 of our “Mystical Theology” series consists of Part 2 of our presentation of God the Word according to St. Athanasius the Great, and includes the reading of excerpts from his famous, “On the Incarnation of the Word”. Themes covered in this podcast are listed in the Timestamps below. Q&As related to Episode 14 available in The Professor’s Blog . Recomme...
Apr 13, 2024•41 min•Season 3Ep. 14
Send us a text Episode 15: “Intrusive Thoughts”, Part 2, St. Silouan the Athonite (Fuller Treatment) Unit 16: “Sts. Silouan and Sophrony the Athonites: Principles of the Christian Life”, by Prof. Christopher Veniamin Based on the reading of St. Sophrony’s masterful introduction to Saint Silouan the Athonite , “Intrusive Thoughts”, Part 2 offers a fuller treatment of one of the most important subjects in the Orthodox spiritual life, and one which is especially helpful for spiritual fathers and le...
Apr 06, 2024•26 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Send us a text Unit 14: St. Gregory Palamas: An Introduction, Prof. Christopher Veniamin Episode 7bis: Conclusions (Better Sound Quality) Episode 7bis of “Gregory Palamas: An Introduction” is mainly an *enhanced sound quality* version of the original episode (with new title credits at the beginning, and an end card, plus an appeal for support tagged on at the end), which introduces the "Hesychast Controversy" of the 14th century in the declining decades of the Christian Roman Empire. What was He...
Apr 06, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Send us a text Unit 14: St. Gregory Palamas: An Introduction, Prof. Christopher Veniamin Episode 6bis: Triumph of Ascetic Theology Over Philosophical Speculation (Better Sound Quality) Episode 6bis of “Gregory Palamas: An Introduction” is mainly an *enhanced sound quality* version of the original episode (with new title credits at the beginning, and an end card, plus an appeal for support tagged on at the end), which introduces the "Hesychast Controversy" of the 14th century in the declining dec...
Apr 06, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Send us a text Unit 14: St. Gregory Palamas: An Introduction, Prof. Christopher Veniamin Episode 5bis: Epistemological Presuppositions (Better Sound Quality) Episode 5bis of “Gregory Palamas: An Introduction” is mainly an *enhanced sound quality* version of the original episode (with new title credits at the beginning, and an end card, plus an appeal for support tagged on at the end), which introduces the "Hesychast Controversy" of the 14th century in the declining decades of the Christian Roman...
Apr 05, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Send us a text Unit 14: St. Gregory Palamas: An Introduction, Prof. Christopher Veniamin Episode 4bis: Iconography & Knowledge of God through Prayer (Better Sound Quality) Episode 4bis of “Gregory Palamas: An Introduction” is mainly an enhanced sound quality version of the original episode (with new title credits at the beginning, and an end card, plus an appeal for support tagged on at the end), which introduces the "Hesychast Controversy" of the 14th century in the declining decades of the...
Apr 04, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Send us a text Unit 14: St. Gregory Palamas: An Introduction, Prof. Christopher Veniamin Episode 3bis: The Jesus Prayer & Yoga (Better Sound Quality) Episode 3bis of “Gregory Palamas: An Introduction” is mainly an *enhanced sound quality* version of the original episode (with new title credits at the beginning, and an end card, plus an appeal for support tagged on at the end), which introduces the "Hesychast Controversy" of the 14th century in the declining decades of the Christian Roman Emp...
Apr 03, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Send us a text Unit 14: St. Gregory Palamas: An Introduction, Prof. Christopher Veniamin Episode 2bis: The Emperor’s 6 Questions (Better Sound Quality) Episode 2bis of “Gregory Palamas: An Introduction” is mainly an *enhanced sound quality* version of the original episode (with new title credits at the beginning, and an end card, plus an appeal for support tagged on at the end), which introduces the "Hesychast Controversy" of the 14th century in the declining decades of the Christian Roman Empir...
Apr 03, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Send us a text Unit 14: St. Gregory Palamas: An Introduction, Prof. Christopher Veniamin Episode 1bis: Prolegomena Episode 1bis of “Gregory Palamas: An Introduction” is mainly an enhanced sound quality version of the original episode (with a new title credit and end card, plus an appeal for support), which introduces the "Hesychast Controversy" of the 14th century in the declining decades of the Christian Roman Empire. What was Hesychasm really all about? And why is it still relevant to us today...
Mar 30, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 13: Athanasius the Great, Part 3: On God the Word, 1 In Episode 13 of our “Mystical Theology” series, we turn to St. Athanasius’ masterful defense of the Orthodox Faith, in his great works “Against the Gentiles” and “On the Incarnation of the Word”, and then in his “Against the Arians”, in which he presents the mystery of the Divine Economy culminating in the “enfleshment” of God the Word Himself. Themes covered in this podcast include creation in...
Mar 24, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 13
Send us a text Episode 14: “Intrusive Thoughts”, Part 1, St. Silouan the Athonite (Fuller Treatment) Unit 16: “Sts. Silouan and Sophrony the Athonites: Principles of the Christian Life”, by Prof. Christopher Veniamin Series: “Mystical Theology" Based on the reading of St. Sophrony’s masterful introduction to Saint Silouan the Athonite , “Intrusive Thoughts”, Part 1, offers a fuller treatment of one of the most important subjects in the Orthodox spiritual life, and one which is especially helpful...
Mar 16, 2024•42 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology, Special Edition Episode 3: “John Damascene: Christology”, Part 1 Introducing the theology and spiritual life of the Orthodox Church, with particular reference to the Holy Bible and the witness of the Church Fathers, past and present. In “John Damascene: Christology”, Part 1, Episode 3 of our Special Editions, we begin our exploration of the Person of Jesus Christ, our Lord, God and Saviour, through Book III of the Damascene’s Exact Exposition of the Orth...
Mar 02, 2024•47 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 12: Athanasius the Great, Pt. 2: What did Arius Believe? Part 2 Introducing the theology and spiritual life of the Orthodox Church, with particular reference to the Holy Bible and the witness of the Church Fathers, past and present. In Episode 12 of our “Mystical Theology”, we have Part 2 of our presentation of “Athanasius the Great: What did Arius Believe?”, as a preparation for our overview of St. Athanasius’ defence of the Orthodox Faith agains...
Feb 29, 2024•31 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Send us a text Episode 13: “Concerning Shepherds of Souls” & “Concerning Monks" Unit 16: “Sts. Silouan and Sophrony the Athonites: Principles of the Christian Life”, by Prof. Christopher Veniamin Series: “Mystical Theology" Based on the reading of St. Silouan’s chapters, “Concerning Shepherds of Souls” & “Concerning Monks”, in Saint Silouan the Athonite , Episode 12 offers reflections on great calling of pastors and monastics in the Orthodox spiritual tradition. Presented by Prof. Christ...
Feb 23, 2024•49 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 11: Athanasius the Great, Pt. 1: What did Arius Believe? Part 1 Introducing the theology and spiritual life of the Orthodox Church, with particular reference to the Holy Bible and the witness of the Church Fathers, past and present. In Episode 11 of our “Mystical Theology”, we present “Athanasius the Great: What did Arius Believe?, Part 1”, as a preparation for our overview of Athanasius’ magnificent defence of the Orthodox Faith against the Arian...
Feb 18, 2024•25 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Send us a text Recording of the fifth session of our Bookclub, which took place on Wednesday, January 24, 2023 (at 9 PM Eastern Time), available to the public. Presented by Prof. Christopher Veniamin, a spiritual child of St. Sophrony the Athonite. Broaching the challenging question of the significance of the word given to St. Silouan the Athonite, “Keep thy mind in hell, and despair not”, as expounded by Silouan’s disciple, St. Sophrony the Athonite, and also by Sophrony’s disciple, Elder Zacha...
Feb 09, 2024•33 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 10: What Every Orthodox Christian Should Know About the Orthodox Faith Introducing the theology and spiritual life of the Orthodox Church, with particular reference to the Holy Bible and the witness of the Church Fathers, past and present. In Episode 10, “What Every Orthodox Christian Should Know About the Orthodox Faith" is based on a presentation made by Mtp Hierotheos Vlachos on the theology of Fr. John Romanides, one of the leading Greek Ortho...
Feb 03, 2024•52 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Send us a text Episode 11: “Keep Thy Mind in Hell and Despair Not” Unit 16: “Sts. Silouan and Sophrony the Athonites: Principles of the Christian Life”, by Prof. Christopher Veniamin Series: “Mystical Theology" Based on the reading of St. Sophrony’s chapter, “Keep Thy Mind in Hell and Despair Not”, in Saint Silouan the Athonite , Episode 11 attempts to discern the practical significance of the great word given to St. Silouan the Athonite after 15 long years of arduous struggle against that most ...
Jan 27, 2024•39 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 9: Origen, Part 3 Introducing the theology and spiritual life of the Orthodox Church, with particular reference to the Holy Bible and the witness of the Church Fathers, past and present. Origen, who flourished in the 3rd Century, is one of the most difficult and important chapters in the history of early Christian doctrine. An Orthodox appreciation of Origen is crucial for the understanding of the Biblical and Patristic tradition of the Church. In...
Jan 22, 2024•34 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Send us a text Episode 10: “The 3rd Form of Prayer”; “Development of Intrusive Thoughts” Unit 16: “Sts. Silouan and Sophrony the Athonites: Principles of the Christian Life”, by Prof. Christopher Veniamin Series: “Mystical Theology" Based on the reading of excerpts from St. Sophrony’s masterpiece, Saint Silouan the Athonite , Episode 10: “The 3rd Form of Prayer”; “Development of Intrusive Thoughts”, includes such themes as the guarding of the mind, mental vigilance, and the need for purification...
Jan 13, 2024•27 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 8: Origen, Part 2 Introducing the theology and spiritual life of the Orthodox Church, with particular reference to the Holy Bible and the witness of the Church Fathers, past and present. Origen, who flourished in the 3rd Century, is one of the most difficult and important chapters in the history of early Christian doctrine. An Orthodox appreciation of Origen is crucial for the understanding of the Biblical and Patristic tradition of the Church. Th...
Jan 05, 2024•31 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Send us a text Episode 9: “Tradition & Scripture”; “Three Forms of Prayer” Unit 16: “Sts. Silouan and Sophrony the Athonites: Principles of the Christian Life”, by Prof. Christopher Veniamin Series: “Mystical Theology" Based on the reading of excerpts from the Sections, “Tradition & Scripture” and “Three Forms of Prayer”, from St. Sophrony’s masterpiece, Saint Silouan the Athonite , this ninth episode includes such themes as the Holy Spirit in the Church, person vs institution, and the p...
Dec 27, 2023•37 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Send us a text Series: Mystical Theology Episode 7: Clement of Alexandria, Part 2; Origen, Part 1 Introducing the theology and spiritual life of the Orthodox Church, with particular reference to the Holy Bible and the witness of the Church Fathers, past and present. This Episode, "Clement of Alexandria, Part 2; Origen, Part 1, continues Clement of Alexandria, Part 1, by counterbalancing Clement’s apophatic approach with his Christian biblical presuppositions; and then concludes with a note on th...
Dec 22, 2023•41 min•Season 3Ep. 7
