Mystical Theology: Introducing the Theology and Spiritual Life of the Orthodox Church

Send us Fan Mail Series: Mystical Theology Episode 20: Augustine of Hippo: An Orthodox Perspective, Part 1, Introduction, Episode 20 in Mystical Theology, with Prof. C. Veniamin In Part 1 of “Augustine of Hippo: An Orthodox Perspective”, Episode 20 of our series in “Mystical Theology”, we present the theology of the most influential Christian figure in Western thought. Our introduction begins by m...

Send us Fan Mail Unit 15: “John of the Ladder: Principles of the Christian Life”, by Prof. Christopher Veniamin Series: “Mystical Theology" In Episode 6 of "John of the Ladder, Prof. Christopher Veniamin discusses the benefits for lay folk of reading literature that is intended first and foremost for a monastic audience. Themes from this episode are listed in the Timestamps below. Q&...

Send us Fan Mail Series: Mystical Theology Episode 19: "Hypostasis": the Threeness of God, The Cappadocian Fathers, Pt 4, Prof. Christopher Veniamin In Part 4 of “The Cappadocian Fathers”, Episode 19 of our series in “Mystical Theology”, we present the doctrine of the mystery of the Threefoldness of God. Themes broached are listed in the Timestamps below. Q&As available in The Profes...

Send us Fan Mail St Isidore, St Laurence & St Sophrony, in John of the Ladder, Ep 5, Prof. C. Veniamin Unit 15: “John of the Ladder: Principles of the Christian Life”, by Prof. Christopher Veniamin Series: “Mystical Theology" In Episode 5 of "John of the Ladder, Prof. Christopher Veniamin presents two great examples of Christian obedience, St Isidore and St Laurence, and also adds a...

Send us Fan Mail Series: Mystical Theology  Episode 18: The Cappadocian Fathers, Pt 3: The "Monarchy" of God the Father, Ep 18, Prof. Christopher Veniamin In Part 3 of “The Cappadocian Fathers”, which is Episode 18 of our series in “Mystical Theology”, we present the doctrine of the “Monarchy” of the Father in the context of the mystery of the Triune God.  Themes broached are listed in t...

Send us Fan Mail St Sophrony and the Divine Liturgy, John of the Ladder, Ep 4, Prof. C. Veniamin Unit 15: “John of the Ladder: Principles of the Christian Life”, by Prof. Christopher Veniamin Series: “Mystical Theology" In Episode 4 in the series, "John of the Ladder, Prof. Christopher Veniamin takes the opportunity to describe something of what it was like to experience the Divine Litur...

Send us Fan Mail Series: Mystical Theology Episode 17: The Cappadocian Fathers, Part 2: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, Gregory of Nyssa, "Mystical Theology", Episode 17, Prof. C. Veniamin Episode 17 of our “Mystical Theology” series is deeper probe in to the trinitarian theology of the great Cappadocian Fathers: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, Gregory of Nyssa, and als...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 t...

Send us Fan Mail 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 o...

Send us Fan Mail 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 Soph...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 avai...

Send us Fan Mail 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 intr...

Send us Fan Mail 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 list...

Send us Fan Mail 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 sub...

Send us Fan Mail 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 "Hes...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 intr...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 introduc...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 deca...

Send us Fan Mail 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 culmin...

Send us Fan Mail 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 treatmen...