Augustine tells us how music should be composed and appreciated, as well as letting us know his favorite hymn. Synesius of Cyrene, Sedulius, Mesrop Mashtots and Maruthas of Martyropolis give us examples of music appreciated by Christians both inside and outside the Roman Empire. Links: Image of hymn A solis ortus cardine. Article on Augustine’s […]

The poetry of Empress Eudocia and Paulinus of Nola revealed the tensions that existed in a culture that both praised and rejected the literary works of the past – those of Homer and Virgil. For Eudocia and Paulinus, the examples of the great pagan poets of yesterday could be used to praise Christ in the […]

Throughout the Christological Controversy, monastics played an important role. While many monks, especially in Egypt, supported Mono/Miaphysitism, there were also important communities defending Chalcedon – such as the Maronite community in Syria. In the West, Eastern monasticism will influence the development of monastic communities in Gaul as monks sought to replicate the Egyptian desert experience […]

Political instability continues in the West as one emperor follows another. In the East, Emperor Leo I tries to find a way out of the controversy over Chalcedon but has problems with Timothy II of Alexandria, also known as Timothy the Cat. We finish the episode with a look at how Christians outside the Roman […]

The growing division between the Mono/Miaphysites and the Chalcedonians causes significant problems for the Eastern Empire, especially in Palestine and Egypt. In the West, Emperor Valentinian III is assassinated and Pope Leo I tries to keep the Vandals from destroying Rome. Links: Painting of Genseric sacking Rome by Bryullov. Leo I’s letter to the monks […]

The conclusion of the Council of Chalcedon left the church divided – Rome vs. Constantinople and Chalcedonian vs. Miaphysite. These conflicts will influnce the future course of Christianity for the next three hundred years. We take a look at the Christological divisions after Chalcedon. Links: Painting of The Meeting between Leo the Great and Attila […]

Chalcedon was intended to unite the Church, but – in many ways – the Church is more divided after Chalcedon than it had been before. Constantinople and Rome are divided over the place of Constantinople in the ecclesiastical hierarchy. The Church of Egypt refuses to accept the Tome of Leo and the Definition of Chalcedon. […]

The Council of Chalcedon continues and with it continue conflicts over Christology and Roman authority. The bishops of Chalcedon put forward a new statement of faith in the hopes of unifying the Church. Links: Painting of the Council of Chalcedon by Andreevartstudio The Definition of Chalcedon Check out the other great Catholic podcasts at the […]

The Council of Chalcedon begins with a broadside against Pope Dioscorus of Alexandria. The Tome of Leo is accepted. Marcian and Pulcheria hope Chalcedon will be result in universal agreement, but future troubles are seen. Links: Painting of the Council of Chalcedon by Vasily Surikov Extensive documentation on the Council of Chalcedon/Fourth Ecumenical Council Leo’s […]

The Eastern Empire finds itself in political and religious turmoil after the death of Emperor Theodosius II and Pope Leo I of Rome takes the opportunity to assert himself and obtain the universal acceptance of his Tome. Links: Image of Emperor Marcian Map of the Roman Empire in 450 AD Check out the other great […]