PONTIFACTS: Ranking the Popes

Pontifacts is 1 year old! Join us for an amusing recap of our popey journey thus far, and an AMA session - and THANK YOU for being a part of our podcast!    Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifactspod Amazon Wishlist: https://tinyurl.com/pontifactswishlist

The first pope of the too-obvious name was "energetic about heretics", and for establishing papal power through distant authorities. But this is a milestone episode, because we have a handful of MAJOR things to cover: John Chrysostom. The Visigothic Sack of Rome. Pelagius. Buckle in!   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: h...

Pope Anastasius, our "model of piety and sanctity" wins quite a reputation from the contemporary figures of the day, and crush-prone priests. But is it a deserved reputation, when we have so little to credit him for? In his episode, we go back to the origin of Origen, explore the diss tracks of Tyrannius Rufinus and Jerome, find another Eusebius, and speculate about potential papal progeny.   Supp...

Pope Siricius really hated heretics, and when monks or nuns were banging in the monasteries. In this episode, we discuss the earliest preserved papal decretals in history, early church policy on clerical celibacy, and why 'Vicious Siricius' is a sassy drag biatch.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pon...

In our greatest Athanasius Interlude yet, we are joined by Johnathan Adly from the History of the Copts Podcast, to fully dig into the much exiled Patriarch of Alexandria, Athanasius! In this episode, we discuss all things Athanasius, as well as the character of the Eastern early church, the state of the empire, the power of the papacy, and how all of this ties into Coptic Christianity!   Support...

Pope Damasus is certainly a giant of the early church. He ensured a lasting legacy by vigorously asserting papal primacy, officially defining orthodoxy and doctrine, and putting his name and terrible poetry on epitaphs everywhere. And thats all without saying anything of the scandals, schisms and murder!   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/ponti...

In this week's episode, we covered the exile of Pope Liberius following his refusal to condemn Athanasius and sign a Semi-Arian creed. A version of how this meeting between the Pope and Emperor Constantius II might have gone has been preserved in Theodoret's Ecclesiastical Histories, Chapter 13. Ergo, its time for a dramatic reading! Thank you to David Shealy for providing several voices! Theodore...

Pope Liberius would rather die than deny his faith or condemn Athanasius. He tells us so at least twice. But Emperor Constantius is ready to call his bluff, with circumstances we haven't seen since Christian toleration. In this episode, we outline the bribery, the threats, the councils, the antipopes, and the alleged scandal that followed! Are you prepared for some co-poping?   Support Pontifacts:...

The Meeting on the Protection of Minors in the Church happened at the end of February, and was the first summit of its kind in history. In this special POPEWATCH bonus episode, we go over the program of the council, the conclusions and directives announced at its end, what may come in the future, and the reactions from around the world. We also talk about why shitty Vigano is shitty.   Support Pon...

Pope Julius I, the "Defender of Orthodoxy", assumed the papacy while Eusebius of Nicomedia was still stirring an Arian fuss in the East, and Athanasius was in and out of peril. But he was not going to back down! In this episode, we discuss a series of rival councils, Christmas, and cankle necks.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodc...

Pope Mark I witnessed many significant shifts during his early church career, so by the time he became pope, it was practically time for a break. In this episode, we introduce the Athanasius interlude, clerical fashion, and the merit of beards. A special thank you to our friend Ben oFukushimama Laser Shark for the music for our new segment.    Show notes: Papal Ring of Pope Pius II:   https://samm...

We've finally arrived at the most important moment of the early church! In this episode, we set aside our popes for a substantial tangent to explore the details of the church's first ecumenical council. We will discuss the main players, the logistics, the final theological decisions, and self castration.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/ponti...

We have reached the papacy of the Council of Nicaea! But come back for that next week., because we're going to spend as much time on it this week as Sylvester did. In this episode, we will discuss his papacy, unpack legends, talk about a dragon, and yell at him to "go!" Show Notes: The Golden Legend Life of Saint Sylvester:  http://catholicsaints.info/the-golden-legend-the-life-of-saint-silvester/...

Militiades is our second African Pope, and held the papacy during a massive shift of Christendom in the empire that no one saw coming. In this episode, we will discuss putrefying wormy bodies, shocking edicts, and introduce the founder of the Christianization... Constantine!   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko...

Eusebius, not THAT Eusebius, didn't really have a chance. He probably should have stayed a physician.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifactspod Amazon Wishlist: https://tinyurl.com/pontifactswishlist

Marcellus came to the papacy in the lull of the brutal Diocletian persecutions. In this episode, we'll discuss how he did right by his predecessor, re-organized a devastated Church, and then got sucked into internal chaos under Heraclius the jerk.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifactspod Amazon...

There is nothing we can say here without giving it all away. You're just going to have to listen.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifactspod Amazon Wishlist: https://tinyurl.com/pontifactswishlist

Pope Caius the Dalmatian was somehow related to one of the most important emperors in Roman history, and also maybe a saint. Also maybe that saint was faced with some incest? And maybe he was REALLY old when he became pope. This is an episode with many mysteries! Show Notes:  Finger-Ring Lore:  https://www.gutenberg.org/files/43707/43707-h/43707-h.htm   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.p...

Was Pope Eutychian even a pope at all? Historians will argue, and the mass destruction of Christian records during the Diocletian persecutions will obfuscate the answers. In this episode, we'll spend some time recapping the state of the empire, and then try to determine a feasible schedule to bury over 300 martyrs in 8 years.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod P...

We're ringing in the new year with a new Pope, facing old problems! In his episode, we'll look at the drastic lengths required to deal with pesky Paul of Samosata, how Queen Zenobia of Palmyra factors in, and maybe new, maybe old tradition of graveside martyrdom commemoration.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https://...

It's a Pontifacts holiday surprise! Join Fry and Bry as we explore some ridiculous pope-themed gifts you COULD have bought for your loved ones this year, and strange gifts that recent popes have received! We will post links to all of the things we are looking at in this episode on Facebook, check it out there! https://www.facebook.com/pontifactspod/   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.pat...

This episode is about Pope Dionysius. And Bishop Dionysius, and what Dionysius thought of Dionysius, Dionysius's correspondence with Dionysius, and of course, the Affair of the Dionysii.   Show Notes: Writings of Dionysius:  http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/dionysiusrome.html   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: http...

Pope Sixtus II is our first second! He is a heavy hitter in the early church, and his tomb is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites of the first martyrs. In this episode we discuss cults and beans, his famous saint companions, his bloody death, and his Renaissance depictions!   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodcast Ko-fi: https:...

Pope Stephen's papacy begins at a time where what is most needed is consistency, and continuity from the previous popes. And he delivers something entirely different instead. In his episode, we will discuss his papacy, his relationship with pope fanboy Cyprian, and try to separate him from two other popes he's often blended into. Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod...

Pope Lucius doesn't have a whole lot of time to make his mark on the church, and he's going to have to spend much of that time on beach vacation. But there are still things to discuss! In this episode, we'll go over his life, his position on the new schism, and the impact his head has on demons.   Support Pontifacts: Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: paypal.me/pontifactspodc...