Podcast
Mystical Theology: Introducing the Theology and Spiritual Life of the Orthodox Church
Hosted by The Mount Thabor Academy · EN
“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 (Season 3)
Unit 2: Irenaeus of Lyons (Season 3)
Unit 3: Clement the Alexandrian (Season 3)
Unit 4: Origen (Season 3)
Unit 5: Athanasius the Great (Season 3)
Unit 6: The Cappadocian Fathers (Season 3)
Unit 7: Augustine of Hippo (Season 3)
Unit 8: John Chrysostom (Season 3)
Unit 9: Cyril of Alexandria (Season 3)
Unit 14: Gregory Palamas (Season 1)
Unit 15: John of the Ladder (Season 4)
Unit 16: Silouan and Sophrony the Athonites (Season 2)
MISCELLANEOUS
Members-only: Special Editions (Season 5)
Empirical Dogmatics: The Theology of Fr. John Romanides (Season 6)
Recommended background reading: Christopher Veniamin, ed., Saint Gregory Palamas: The Homilies ; and The Enlargement of the Heart, by Archimandrite Zacharias ; 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).
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...
11episodes
Episodes
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Episode 44: Dionysius the Areopagite, Introduction, C. Veniamin
Mar 1300:46:47Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn Episode 44 of our Mystical Theology, we begin our overview of the theology of Dionysius the Areopagite, one of the most challenging figures in the history of Christian doctrine.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: I wish to express my indebtedness to the spoken and written traditions of Mtp Kallistos Ware, Vladimir Lossky, Fr. John Romanides and Mtp Hierotheos Vlachos. Responsibility for the content of my presentations is of course mine alone. ©Christopher Veniamin 2026Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community. Support the showDr. Christopher VeniaminJoin The Mount Thabor Academyhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2232462/supportTHE MOUNT THABOR ACADEMY (YouTube)THE MOUNT THABOR ACADEMY (Patreon)Print Books by MOUNT THABOR PUBLISHINGeBooks Amazon Google Apple KoboB&NFurther Info & Bibliography The Professor's BlogFurther bibliography may be found in our Scholar's CornerContact us: info@mountthabor.com...
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Episode 42: Caveat on Trinity and Grace of God, Part 6 of Cyril of Alexandria, C. Veniamin
May 25, 202500:34:14Tap to summarizeSend us Fan Mail[Episode 42: Caveat on Trinity and Grace of God, Part 6 of Cyril of Alexandria, C. Veniamin]Series: Mystical TheologyEpisode 42: Caveat on Trinity and Grace of God, Part 6 of Cyril of Alexandria, C. VeniaminIn 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 emphasis on the oneness of Christ, and also the uncreated character of divine grace. For a list of the various themes contained therein, see the Timestamps below.Q&As available in The Professor’s BlogSpecial thanks to the video of Fr. Dimitru Staniloae, on the difference between western and eastern Christianity.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. Support the showDr. Christopher VeniaminJoin The Mount Thabor Academyhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2232462/supportTHE MOUNT THABOR ACADEMY (YouTube)THE MOUNT THABOR ACADEMY (Patreon)Print Books by MOUNT THABOR PUBLISHINGeBooks Amazon Google Apple KoboB&NFurther Info & Bibliography The Professor's BlogFurther bibliography may be found in our Scholar's CornerContact us: info@mountthabor.com...
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Episode 41: Cyril of Alexandria, With Scholion on Appolinarius, Intro to Xtology, Pt 5, C. Veniamin
Apr 27, 202500:25:08Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailSeries: Mystical TheologyEpisode 41: Cyril of Alexandria, With Scholion on Appolinarius of Laodicea, Intro to Christology, Pt 5, C. VeniaminIn 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&As available in The Professor’s Blog: https://mountthabor.com/blogs/the-professors-blogRecommended background reading: Christopher Veniamin, ed., Saint Gregory Palamas: The Homilies (Dalton PA: 2022): https://mountthabor.com/products/saint-gregory-palamas-the-homilies ; The Orthodox Understanding of Salvation: "Theosis" in Scripture and Tradition (2016): https://mountthabor.com/products/the-orthodox-understanding-of-salvation-by-dr-christopher-veniamin ; and The Transfiguration of Christ in Greek Patristic Literature: https://mountthabor.com/products/the-transfiguration-in-greek-patristic-literature-from-irenaeus-of-lyons-to-gregory-palamas (2022).Further bibliography may be found in our "Scholar's Corner" webpage: https://mountthabor.com/pages/the-professors-suggested-reading-lists.Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community. Support the showDr. Christopher VeniaminJoin The Mount Thabor Academyhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2232462/supportTHE MOUNT THABOR ACADEMY (YouTube)THE MOUNT THABOR ACADEMY (Patreon)Print Books by MOUNT THABOR PUBLISHINGeBooks Amazon Google Apple KoboB&NFurther Info & Bibliography The Professor's BlogFurther bibliography may be found in our Scholar's CornerContact us: info@mountthabor.com...
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Episode 40: Cyril of Alexandria, Introduction to Christology, Part 4, Dr. C. Veniamin
Apr 13, 202500:27:56Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailSeries: Mystical TheologyEpisode 40: Cyril of Alexandria, Introduction to Christology, Part 4, Dr. C. VeniaminIn 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 BlogRecommended 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).Further bibliography may be found in our "Scholar's Corner" webpage.Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community. Support the showDr. Christopher VeniaminJoin The Mount Thabor Academyhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2232462/supportTHE MOUNT THABOR ACADEMY (YouTube)THE MOUNT THABOR ACADEMY (Patreon)Print Books by MOUNT THABOR PUBLISHINGeBooks Amazon Google Apple KoboB&NFurther Info & Bibliography The Professor's BlogFurther bibliography may be found in our Scholar's CornerContact us: info@mountthabor.com...
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Episode 39: Alexandria and Antioch: Christological Tendencies, Intro Pt 3, Dr. C. Veniamin
Apr 6, 202500:24:14Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailSeries: Mystical TheologyEpisode 39: Alexandria and Antioch: Christological Tendencies, Intro Pt 3, Dr. C. VeniaminIn 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 BlogRecommended 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).Further bibliography may be found in our "Scholar's Corner" webpage.Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community. Support the showDr. Christopher VeniaminJoin The Mount Thabor Academyhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2232462/supportTHE MOUNT THABOR ACADEMY (YouTube)THE MOUNT THABOR ACADEMY (Patreon)Print Books by MOUNT THABOR PUBLISHINGeBooks Amazon Google Apple KoboB&NFurther Info & Bibliography The Professor's BlogFurther bibliography may be found in our Scholar's CornerContact us: info@mountthabor.com...
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Episode 10: “Repentance and The Prison”, in John of the Ladder, Dr. C. Veniamin
Mar 30, 202500:41:45Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailEpisode 10: “Repentance and The Prison”, in John of the Ladder, Dr. C. VeniaminUnit 15: “John of the Ladder: Principles of the Christian Life”, by Prof. Christopher VeniaminSeries: “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. Christopher Veniamin, themes from this episode are listed in the Timestamps below.Q&As available in The Professor’s BlogRecommended 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).Further bibliography may be found in our "Scholar's Corner" webpage.Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community. Support the showDr. Christopher VeniaminJoin The Mount Thabor Academyhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2232462/supportTHE MOUNT THABOR ACADEMY (YouTube)THE MOUNT THABOR ACADEMY (Patreon)Print Books by MOUNT THABOR PUBLISHINGeBooks Amazon Google Apple KoboB&NFurther Info & Bibliography The Professor's BlogFurther bibliography may be found in our Scholar's CornerContact us: info@mountthabor.com...
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Episode 38: The Nestorian Perspective: Intro to Christology, Part 2, Dr. C. Veniamin
Mar 13, 202500:26:56Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailSeries: Mystical TheologyEpisode 38: The Nestorian Perspective: Intro to Christology, Part 2, Dr. C. VeniaminIn 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 presentation, see the Timestamps below.Q&As available in The Professor’s BlogRecommended 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).Further bibliography may be found in our "Scholar's Corner" webpage.Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community. Support the showDr. Christopher VeniaminJoin The Mount Thabor Academyhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2232462/supportTHE MOUNT THABOR ACADEMY (YouTube)THE MOUNT THABOR ACADEMY (Patreon)Print Books by MOUNT THABOR PUBLISHINGeBooks Amazon Google Apple KoboB&NFurther Info & Bibliography The Professor's BlogFurther bibliography may be found in our Scholar's CornerContact us: info@mountthabor.com...
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Episode 36: Could Christ have sinned? Intro to Christology, Dr. C. Veniamin
Feb 28, 202500:35:35Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailSeries: Mystical TheologyEpisode 36: Could Christ have sinned? Intro to Christology, Dr. C. VeniaminIn 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 BlogRecommended 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).Further bibliography may be found in our "Scholar's Corner" webpage.Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community. Support the showDr. Christopher VeniaminJoin The Mount Thabor Academyhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2232462/supportTHE MOUNT THABOR ACADEMY (YouTube)THE MOUNT THABOR ACADEMY (Patreon)Print Books by MOUNT THABOR PUBLISHINGeBooks Amazon Google Apple KoboB&NFurther Info & Bibliography The Professor's BlogFurther bibliography may be found in our Scholar's CornerContact us: info@mountthabor.com...
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Episode 35: John Chrysostom: The Language of Holy Scripture, Eunomius & The Light of Tabor, Dr. C. Veniamin
Feb 15, 202500:27:31Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailSeries: Mystical TheologyEpisode 35: John Chrysostom: The Language of Holy Scripture, Eunomius & The Light of Tabor, Dr. C. VeniaminWith 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, though expressed in somewhat different terms, is the same as that of Athanasius the Great and of Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and Gregory of Nyssa. We also provide a road map for Volume 2 of our Mystical Theology. And finally, by way of conclusion, we add a brief word on Essentialism, Pantheism, and Deification. Other themes touched upon in this episode are included in the Timestamps.Q&As available in The Professor’s BlogRecommended 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).Further bibliography may be found in our "Scholar's Corner" webpage.Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community. Support the showDr. Christopher VeniaminJoin The Mount Thabor Academyhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2232462/supportTHE MOUNT THABOR ACADEMY (YouTube)THE MOUNT THABOR ACADEMY (Patreon)Print Books by MOUNT THABOR PUBLISHINGeBooks Amazon Google Apple KoboB&NFurther Info & Bibliography The Professor's BlogFurther bibliography may be found in our Scholar's CornerContact us: info@mountthabor.com...
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Episode 33: Conclusions to Augustine, Pt 2: Gregory of Nyssa, Life of Moses
Feb 1, 202500:31:30Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailSeries: Mystical TheologyEpisode 33: Conclusions to Augustine, Part 2: Gregory of Nyssa, Life of Moses, Part 6 of The Cappadocian Fathers, Dr. C. VeniaminIn 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 account is that of “divine darkness”. Other themes touched upon in this episode are included in the Timestamps.Q&As 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); 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). Further bibliography may be found in our "Scholar's Corner" webpage.Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community. Support the showDr. Christopher VeniaminJoin The Mount Thabor Academyhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2232462/supportTHE MOUNT THABOR ACADEMY (YouTube)THE MOUNT THABOR ACADEMY (Patreon)Print Books by MOUNT THABOR PUBLISHINGeBooks Amazon Google Apple KoboB&NFurther Info & Bibliography The Professor's BlogFurther bibliography may be found in our Scholar's CornerContact us: info@mountthabor.com...
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