Mystical Theology: Introducing the Theology and Spiritual Life of the Orthodox Church
“Mystical Theology: Introducing the Theology and Spiritual Life of the Orthodox Church”, with Prof. Christopher Veniamin Mystical Theology: 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. Available Units thus far: Unit 1: Introduction: Holy Scripture, Greek Philosophy, Philo of Alexandria Unit 2: Irenaeus of Lyons Unit 3: Clement the Alexandrian Unit 4: Origen Unit 5: Athanasius the Great Unit 6: The Cappadocian Fathers Unit 14: Gregory Palamas Unit 15: John of the Ladder Unit 16: Silouan and Sophrony the Athonites Bookclub Series: Saint Silouan the Athonite, by St. Sophrony the Athonite Unit 1: Spiritual Warfare, Part 1 Recommended background reading: Christopher Veniamin, ed., Saint Gregory Palamas: The Homilies ; and The Enlargement of the Heart, by Archimandrite Zacharias It is hoped that these presentations will help the enquirer discern the profound interrelationship between Orthodox theology and the Orthodox Christian life, and to identify the ascetic and pastoral significance of the Orthodox ethos contained therein. 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
Episodes
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 i...
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 wit...
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 th...
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 th...
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...
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 fundament...
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.
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 on...
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 ce...
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 &...
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&...
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 "Hesych...
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"...
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" ...
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...
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 W...
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 subje...
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 S...
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 ...
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...
Popular Podcasts
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Every week comedian and infamous roaster Nikki Glaser provides a fun, fast-paced, and brutally honest look into current pop-culture and her own personal life.
Shootings are not unusual in Belize. Shootings of cops are. When a wealthy woman – part of one of the most powerful families in Belize – is found on a pier late at night, next to a body, it becomes the country’s biggest news story in a generation. New episodes every Monday!
A straightforward look at the day's top news in 20 minutes. Powered by ABC News. Hosted by Brad Mielke.