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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 for spiritual fathers and leaders of the Church. Some of the themes covered in this podcast are listed in the Timestamps below. Presented by Prof. Christopher Veniamin, a spiritual child of St. Sophrony.

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 related to Episode 14 available in The Professor’s Blog.

Recommended background reading: Saint Silouan the Athonite, by St. Sophrony the Athonite; and The Enlargement of the Heart, by Archimandrite Zacharias

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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 Orthodox Faith. Based on the translation in to English by S.D.F. Salmond, in Nicene and Post-Nicene Christian Fathers, Series II, vol. ix (New York & Oxford, 1899), pp. 45–73, we shall also consult the Greek text for deeper insights. Some of the themes covered in this podcast are listed in the Timestamps below.

Q&As related to Special Edition Episode 3 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: From Irenaeus of Lyons to Gregory Palamas (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).

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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 against the Arian heresy, which culminates in the glorious proclamation of Christ as true and perfect God by the Council of Nicaea in 325. Some of the themes covered in this podcast are listed in the Timestamps below.

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

Q&As related to Episode 12 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. 

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Dr. Christopher Veniamin

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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. Christopher Veniamin, a spiritual child of St. Sophrony.

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 related to Episode 13 available in The Professor’s Blog.

Recommended background reading: Saint Silouan the Athonite, by St. Sophrony the Athonite; and The Enlargement of the Heart, by Archimandrite Zacharias

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Join our Bookclub, Bible Study, John Damascene’s Christology or Greek Philosophy classes! https://www.patreon.com/themountthaboracademy/membership

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Click on the Join button below our videos, and become a Friend or Reader of The Mount Thabor Academy! https://www.youtube.com/@TheMTPAcademy

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Dr. Christopher Veniamin

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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 heresy, a defence which culminates in the glorious proclamation of Christ as true and perfect God by the Council of Nicaea in 325. Some of the themes covered in this podcast are listed in the Timestamps below.

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

Q&As related to Episode 11 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. 

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Dr. Christopher Veniamin

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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 Zacharias of Essex.

Our first text is St. Sophrony’s chapter, “Keep Thy Mind in Hell and Despair Not”, from his remarkable book, Saint Silouan the Athonite.

Recommended background reading: Saint Silouan the Athonite, by St. Sophrony the Athonite; and The Enlargement of the Heart, by Archimandrite Zacharias.

Q&As available in The Professor’s Blog

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. 

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Dr. Christopher Veniamin

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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 Orthodox theologians of the 20th century. Revised and presented by Prof. Christopher Veniamin, this podcast covers a number of significant themes for the Life in Christ, including those listed in the Timestamps below.

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

Q&As related to Episode 10 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. 

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Dr. Christopher Veniamin

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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 subtle of passions, pride. Presented by Prof. Christopher Veniamin, a spiritual child of St. Sophrony.

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 related to Episode 11 available in The Professor’s Blog.

Recommended background reading: Saint Silouan the Athonite, by St. Sophrony the Athonite; and The Enlargement of the Heart, by Archimandrite Zacharias

Join The Mount Thabor Academy!

MEMBERSHIP TIERS

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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 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 2023

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

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Dr. Christopher Veniamin

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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 this Episode, "Origen”, Part 3, which begins with Origen’s understanding of the Transfiguration of Christ, attention is given to the curious intellectualistic character of his theology, the blurring of the fundamental Biblical Patristic distinction, and the preeminence of the philosophical Spirit-Matter distinction in his thought. Reference is also made to the post-Augustinian theological tradition of the West, and comparisons are made with such representatives of the Orthodox tradition as Irenaeus of Lyons, Athanasius the Great, the Cappadocian Fathers (particularly Gregory of Nyssa), Maximus the Confessor, John Damascene, Silouan the Athonite, and Paisios the Athonite.

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

Q&As related to Episode 9 available in The Professor’s Blog.

Recommended background reading: Christopher Veniamin, ed., Saint Gregory Palamas: The Homilies (Dalton PA: 2022).

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 F

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

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Dr. Christopher Veniamin

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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 and regeneration even after great spiritual experiences have been granted to the believer. Dr. Christopher Veniamin is a spiritual child of St. Sophrony.

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 related to Episode 10 available in The Professor’s Blog.

Recommended background reading: Saint Silouan the Athonite, by St. Sophrony the Athonite; and The Enlargement of the Heart, by Archimandrite Zacharias

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Tier 1 Ask the Professor

Tier 2a Bookclub
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Tier 4a Private Instruction
Tier 4b The Ecclesial Ethos

Tier 5a Private Instruction + Bible Study
Tier 5b Priv. Instruction + Bible Study + JDam

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: I wish to express my indebtedness to the spoken and written traditions of Sts Silouan and Sophrony the Athonites, Fr. Zacharias Zach

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

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Dr. Christopher Veniamin

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