Mystical Theology: Introducing the Theology and Spiritual Life of the Orthodox Church – Details, episodes &amp; analysis

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 the imagination, the noetic and rational faculties, following the way of Christ, and the need for guidance.

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 reading: The Ladder of Divine Ascent (Holy Transfiguration Monastery); Saint Silouan the Athonite, by St. Sophrony the Athonite; and The Enlargement of the Heart, by Archimandrite Zacharias

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: I wish to express my indebtedness to the spoken and written traditions of Sts Silouan and Sophrony the Athonites, Fr. Zacharias Zacharou, Fr. Kyrill Akon, Fr. Raphael Noica, Fr. Symeon Brüschweiler; Fr. John Romanides, Fr. Pavlos Englezakis, Fr. Georges Florovsky, Prof. Constantine Scouteris, Prof. George Mantzarides, Prof. John Fountoulis, Mtp Hierotheos Vlachos, Mtp Kallistos Ware, and Prof. Panayiotes Chrestou. My presentations have been enriched by all of the above sources. Responsibility however for the content of my presentations is of course mine alone. ©Christopher Veniamin 2024

Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community.

Dr. Christopher Veniamin

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Further Info & Bibliography
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Further bibliography may be found in our Scholar's Corner

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Augustine of Hippo: An Orthodox Perspective, Part 2, Analogies, with Prof. Christopher Veniamin

Season 3 · Episode 21

lundi 12 août 2024 • Duration 46:32

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 then proceeds to refer to Augustine’s place in the study of Patristic theology in the West. Other themes broached in 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 reading: Christopher Veniamin, ed., Saint Gregory Palamas: The Homilies (Dalton PA: 2022); The Orthodox Understanding of Salvation: "Theosis" in Scripture and Tradition (2016); The Transfiguration of Christ in Greek Patristic Literature (2022); and Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos, Empirical Dogmatics of the Orthodox Catholic Church: According to the Spoken Teaching of Father John Romanides, Vol. 1 (2012), Vol. 2 (repr. ed. 2020).

Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community.

Dr. Christopher Veniamin

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The Professor's Blog
Further bibliography may be found in our Scholar's Corner

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Obedience to One's Spiritual Father, “On Obedience”, Pt 3, John of the Ladder, Ep 3, Dr. C. Veniamin

Season 4 · Episode 3

vendredi 31 mai 2024 • Duration 37:36

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 discover the will of God, and to live according to Christ’s commandments, which constitutes the daily challenge of every Christian. Presented by Prof. Christopher Veniamin, a spiritual child of St. Sophrony.

Some of the themes covered in this podcast are listed in the Timestamps below.

Q&As related to Episode 3 available in The Professor’s Blog: https://mountthabor.com/blogs/the-professors-blog

Recommended background reading: The Ladder of Divine Ascent (Holy Transfiguration Monastery); Saint Silouan the Athonite, by St. Sophrony the Athonite; and The Enlargement of the Heart, by Archimandrite Zacharias

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: I wish to express my indebtedness to the spoken and written traditions of Sts Silouan and Sophrony the Athonites, Fr. Zacharias Zacharou, Fr. Kyrill Akon, Fr. Raphael Noica, Fr. Symeon Brüschweiler; Fr. John Romanides, Fr. Pavlos Englezakis, Fr. Georges Florovsky, Prof. Constantine Scouteris, Prof. George Mantzarides, Prof. John Fountoulis, Mtp Hierotheos Vlachos, Mtp Kallistos Ware, and Prof. Panayiotes Chrestou. My presentations have been enriched by all of the above sources. Responsibility however for the content of my presentations is of course mine alone. ©Christopher Veniamin 2024

Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community.

Dr. Christopher Veniamin

Join The Mount Thabor Academy
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2232462/support

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Further Info & Bibliography
The Professor's Blog
Further bibliography may be found in our Scholar's Corner

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“Holy Saturday, Gen. 1:1–13”, Orthodox Bible Study, Session 2, with Dr. C. Veniamin (Feb 13, 2024)

Season 4 · Episode 2

samedi 25 mai 2024 • Duration 44:24

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 to identify the ascetic and pastoral significance of the Orthodox ethos.

Embark on a spiritual odyssey with us as we weave through the mystical dimensions of Orthodox Christianity's view on the Genesis creation narrative. Grasp the profound concept of creation ex nihilo, where all sprung into existence from the void, through the illuminating teachings of Saint Gregory Palamas and Saint Maximus the Confessor. We unveil the majestic tapestry of the first three days of creation, deciphering the enigmatic name 'Elohim' and unveiling the whispers of the Holy Trinity within the Spirit of God, Ruach Elohim. We draw the lines connecting Christ, the Alpha and Omega, to the Hebrew alphabet's very own aleph and tau, painting a picture of the divine artistry at the heart of everything.

Wander the hallowed halls of the Orthodox tradition with us, where the sacred text of the Bible is not simply read but lived, contextualized by the collective wisdom of the Holy Fathers. In our shared contemplation, we discover the pivotal role of Church services and sacred hymnography in bringing Scripture to life, and how they guide us on our path towards spiritual purification, illumination, and sanctification. Join us in contrasting the ephemeral perfectionism sought by the world with the enduring example of Christ's humility, love, and mercy, as we reveal how the Gospel molds the Church, creating a sanctuary for the Word made flesh.

Finally, we delve into the lived Christian experience, sharing personal refle

Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community.

Dr. Christopher Veniamin

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Further Info & Bibliography
The Professor's Blog
Further bibliography may be found in our Scholar's Corner

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The Cappadocian Fathers, Pt 1: Introduction, Ep 16, Prof. C. Veniamin

Season 3 · Episode 16

vendredi 24 mai 2024 • Duration 23:41

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 Cappadocians, building on the work of Athanasius, formulated the teaching of the Church regarding the mystery of the Threeness of God.

Themes covered in this podcast are listed in the Timestamps below.

Q&As related to Episode 16 available in The Professor’s Blog.

Recommended background reading: Christopher Veniamin, ed., Saint Gregory Palamas: The Homilies (Dalton PA: 2022); The Orthodox Understanding of Salvation: "Theosis" in Scripture and Tradition (2016); and Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos, Empirical Dogmatics of the Orthodox Catholic Church: According to the Spoken Teaching of Father John Romanides, Vol. 1 (2012), Vol. 2 (repr. ed. 2020).

Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community.

Dr. Christopher Veniamin

Join The Mount Thabor Academy
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2232462/support

eBooks
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Further Info & Bibliography
The Professor's Blog
Further bibliography may be found in our Scholar's Corner

Contact us: [email protected]...

“Spiritual Warfare”, Part 3, Bookclub, Episode 3, St. Silouan, Special Edition, with Dr. C. Veniamin

Season 4 · Episode 3

jeudi 23 mai 2024 • Duration 44:58

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 Chapter XVI, "Concerning Spiritual Warfare" - getting right into the nitty-gritty of "applied theology".

For your convenience, the page numbering is from 423ff in the older edition of Saint Silouan the Athonite; and pp. 373ff in the more recent SVS edition.

It is hoped that these presentations will help the enquirer discern the interwoven character of Orthodox theology and the Orthodox Christian life, and to identify the ascetic and pastoral significance of the Orthodox ethos.

Q&As available in The Professor’s Blog: https://mountthabor.com/blogs/the-professors-blog

Recommended background reading: Saint Silouan the Athonite, by St. Sophrony the Athonite (https://mountthabor.com/products/st-silouan-the-athonite); Saint Gregory Palamas: The Homilies (https://mountthabor.com/products/saint-gregory-palamas-the-homilies); and The Enlargement of the Heart, by Archimandrite Zacharias (https://mountthabor.com/products/the-enlargement-of-the-heart-2nd-ed).

Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community.

Dr. Christopher Veniamin

Join The Mount Thabor Academy
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2232462/support

eBooks
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Google
Apple
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Further Info & Bibliography
The Professor's Blog
Further bibliography may be found in our Scholar's Corner

Contact us: [email protected]...

Parenting and Parish Priests, “On Obedience”, Pt 2, Ep 2, John of the Ladder, Prof. C. Veniamin

Season 4 · Episode 2

vendredi 10 mai 2024 • Duration 23:12

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 the will of God, and to live according to Christ’s commandments, which constitutes the daily challenge of every Christian. Presented by Prof. Christopher Veniamin, a spiritual child of St. Sophrony.

Some of the themes covered in this podcast are listed in the Timestamps below.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: I wish to express my indebtedness to the spoken and written traditions of Sts Silouan and Sophrony the Athonites, Fr. Zacharias Zacharou, Fr. Kyrill Akon, Fr. Raphael Noica, Fr. Symeon Brüschweiler; Fr. John Romanides, Fr. Pavlos Englezakis, Fr. Georges Florovsky, Prof. Constantine Scouteris, Prof. George Mantzarides, Prof. John Fountoulis, Mtp Hierotheos Vlachos, Mtp Kallistos Ware, and Prof. Panayiotes Chrestou. My presentations have been enriched by all of the above sources. Responsibility however for the content of my presentations is of course mine alone. ©Christopher Veniamin 2024

Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community.

Dr. Christopher Veniamin

Join The Mount Thabor Academy
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2232462/support

eBooks
Amazon
Google
Apple
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Further Info & Bibliography
The Professor's Blog
Further bibliography may be found in our Scholar's Corner

Contact us: [email protected]...

Athanasius the Great, Part 5: On God the Word, Pt 3, “On the Incarnation”, Part 2

Season 3 · Episode 15

dimanche 28 avril 2024 • Duration 41:42

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 Gregory Palamas: The Homilies (Dalton PA: 2022); The Orthodox Understanding of Salvation: "Theosis" in Scripture and Tradition (2016); and Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos, Empirical Dogmatics of the Orthodox Catholic Church: According to the Spoken Teaching of Father John Romanides, Vol. 1 (2012), Vol. 2 (repr. ed. 2020).

Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community.

Dr. Christopher Veniamin

Join The Mount Thabor Academy
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2232462/support

eBooks
Amazon
Google
Apple
Kobo
B&N

Further Info & Bibliography
The Professor's Blog
Further bibliography may be found in our Scholar's Corner

Contact us: [email protected]...

How to Find a Spiritual Father, in John of the Ladder, “On Obedience”, Part 1, Episode 1, Prof. C. Veniamin

Season 4 · Episode 1

samedi 20 avril 2024 • Duration 37:31

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 discover the will of God, and to live according to Christ’s commandments, which constitutes the daily challenge of every Christian. Presented by Prof. Christopher Veniamin, a spiritual child of St. Sophrony.

Q&As related to Episode 1 available in The Professor’s Blog.

Recommended background reading: The Ladder of Divine Ascent (Holy Transfiguration Monastery); Saint Silouan the Athonite, by St. Sophrony the Athonite; and The Enlargement of the Heart, by Archimandrite Zacharias

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: I wish to express my indebtedness to the spoken and written traditions of Sts Silouan and Sophrony the Athonites, Fr. Zacharias Zacharou, Fr. Kyrill Akon, Fr. Raphael Noica, Fr. Symeon Brüschweiler; Fr. John Romanides, Fr. Pavlos Englezakis, Fr. Georges Florovsky, Prof. Constantine Scouteris, Prof. George Mantzarides, Prof. John Fountoulis, Mtp Hierotheos Vlachos, Mtp Kallistos Ware, and Prof. Panayiotes Chrestou. My presentations have been enriched by all of the above sources. Responsibility however for the content of my presentations is of course mine alone. ©Christopher Veniamin 2024

Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community.

Dr. Christopher Veniamin

Join The Mount Thabor Academy
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2232462/support

eBooks
Amazon
Google
Apple
Kobo
B&N

Further Info & Bibliography
The Professor's Blog
Further bibliography may be found in our Scholar's Corner

Contact us: [email protected]...

Athanasius the Great, Part 4: On God the Word, 2 & “On the Incarnation”, 1, Prof. C. Veniamin

Season 3 · Episode 14

samedi 13 avril 2024 • Duration 41:10

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.

Recommended background reading: Christopher Veniamin, ed., Saint Gregory Palamas: The Homilies (Dalton PA: 2022); The Orthodox Understanding of Salvation: "Theosis" in Scripture and Tradition (2016); and Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos, Empirical Dogmatics of the Orthodox Catholic Church: According to the Spoken Teaching of Father John Romanides, Vol. 1 (2012), Vol. 2 (repr. ed. 2020).

Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community.

Dr. Christopher Veniamin

Join The Mount Thabor Academy
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2232462/support