Amon Sûl

Follow Amon Sûl
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Join host Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick and his guest co-hosts as they explore the life, works and Middle-earth legendarium of author J. R. R. Tolkien, informed by the Orthodox Christian faith.

Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick and Ancient Faith Radio


    • May 28, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 59m AVG DURATION
    • 322 EPISODES

    4.9 from 218 ratings Listeners of Amon Sûl that love the show mention: damick, kevin zalac, tolkien, orthodox, lord of the rings, fr, andrew, stephen, nerds, father, fantasy, christian, pop culture, books, faith, laughter, god bless, movies, discussion, variety.


    Ivy Insights

    The Amon S?l podcast is a truly remarkable show that delves deep into the world of J.R.R. Tolkien and explores its connections to Orthodox Christian faith. The hosts, led by Father Andrew Damick, provide insightful and thought-provoking discussions on various themes and aspects of Tolkien's writings. With a wide range of guest hosts, the podcast offers a diverse perspective on the works of Tolkien, making it enjoyable for both Tolkien enthusiasts and those interested in exploring the intersection between spirituality and literature.

    One of the best aspects of The Amon S?l podcast is its ability to present interesting information about the Tolkien legendarium in an engaging and accessible manner. The hosts have a knack for explaining complex concepts and themes in a way that is both informative and entertaining. Whether it's delving into the deep lore of Middle-earth or examining the moral and philosophical implications of Tolkien's stories, each episode provides fascinating insights that keep listeners hooked from start to finish.

    Furthermore, the podcast does an excellent job of showcasing how stories can help frame one's thinking and inspire them to live a more meaningful life. Through their analysis of Tolkien's works, the hosts highlight the timeless truths embedded within these stories, showing how they can resonate with people from all walks of life. The Amon S?l podcast encourages listeners to reflect on their own beliefs and values while immersing themselves in the rich tapestry of Middle-earth.

    While there are no major drawbacks to The Amon S?l podcast, some listeners may find that certain episodes delve too deep into nerdy details or esoteric discussions. However, this aspect can also be seen as a positive for die-hard fans who enjoy diving into every little aspect of Tolkien's world. Additionally, episodes are released on a monthly basis, which may leave some wanting more frequent content.

    In conclusion, The Amon S?l podcast is an absolute treasure for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien and those interested in exploring the spiritual dimensions of literature. With its engaging hosts, thought-provoking discussions, and insightful analysis, this podcast offers a unique and enriching experience for listeners. Whether you're a die-hard Tolkien nerd or just someone seeking inspiration and wisdom, The Amon S?l podcast is definitely worth a listen.



    Search for episodes from Amon Sûl with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Amon Sûl

    117 - Sing Hey! for the Bath

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025


    Fr. Anthony talks with returning guest co-host Richard Barrett about Chapter 5 of the Fellowship of the Ring: A Conspiracy Unmasked, and they dig deeply into an entirely different sort of music in Middle Earth than Richard and Fr. Andrew discussed five years ago.

    116 - Paschal Extravaganza! (Panic Episode)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025


    In this month's episode, Fr. Anthony assembles an intrepid panel to discuss Paschal themes in Tolkien. This episode originally aired on April 25 on the YouTube channel, so the format will be a little different this time. Music attribution: Hidden Past and Celtic Impulse, both by Kevin MacLeod (www.incompatech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    115 - Mushrooms & Handkerchiefs & Towers

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025


    Fr. Anthony talks with first-time reader, long time movie fan Zach Heller about the beginning of the Lord of the Rings, the characters in the books, and the long slow leavetaking of the Shire.

    114 - Go Not to the Elves for Counsel

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025


    Fr. Anthony reads Chapter 3, Three is Company, with Fr. Paul Hodge as the guest host.

    113 - The Silmarillion Comes to the Shire

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2025


    Fr. Anthony reads Chapter 2, the Shadow of the Past, with Dr. Cyril Gary Jenkins as the guest host.

    112 - Among Such Excellent Hobbits

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2024


    Fr. Anthony begins the grand read-through of the Lord of the Rings with the first chapter, with Dr. Brad Birzer as guest host.

    111 - Many Partings

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2024


    Fr. Andrew & Richard sign off from the podcast, and Fr. Anthony joins in, and together, in the first episode with three co-hosts, they discuss some favorite memories from the past, and the preliminary material to the Lord of the Rings, especially the Foreword to the Second Edition and the Prologue Concerning Hobbits and Other Matters.

    110 - The Last Homely House: The Breaking of the World

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2024


    Richard is rejoined by Magister Scott Brewer to round out The Last Homely House's read-through of the Silmarillion. They discuss the Breaking of the World, and Richard pitches his own version of a TV show focused on the Second Age of Middle-earth.

    109 - The Last Homely House: The Masculine Urge to Go On About the Sea

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2024


    Richard is joined by Deacon Davede Thompson for the finale of our Earendil series. They talk about St. Augustine, Old English poetry, Earendil, and the Tale of the Mariner and His Wife

    108 - Like Rain on the Mountain

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024


    In this presentation from Doxamoot 2024, Richard Rohlin presents his talk "Like Rain on the Mountain: Theodoric, Beowulf, Theoden, and Tolkien's Elegy for Northern Courage."

    107 - Love's Obligation

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024


    In this presentation from Doxamoot 2024, Dr. Cyril Jenkins presents his talk "Love's Obligation: Deceit and Truth - The Divide Between Virtue and Vice in Tolkien."

    106 - We Heard of the Horns in the Hills Ringing

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024


    In this presentation from Doxamoot 2024, Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick presents his talk "'We heard of the horns in the hills ringing': Musical memory of the Rohirrim in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings."

    105 - Pentecost at the Stone of Erech

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2024


    In this presentation from Doxamoot 2024, Richard Rohlin presents his talk "Pentecost at the Stone of Erech: Oathbreakers and Covenant Keepers in the Legendarium."

    104 - A Diet of Wyrms

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2024


    Dcn. Nicholas Kotar is back on the podcast to discuss with Fr. Andrew what is probably the funniest of all of Tolkien's stories, the non-Legendarium tale “Farmer Giles of Ham.” Pull up a chair, grab a big bowl full of Dragon's Tail, and be prepared for some storytelling joy.

    104 - A Diet of Wyrms

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2024


    Dcn. Nicholas Kotar is back on the podcast to discuss with Fr. Andrew what is probably the funniest of all of Tolkien's stories, the non-Legendarium tale “Farmer Giles of Ham.” Pull up a chair, grab a big bowl full of Dragon's Tail, and be prepared for some storytelling joy.

    103 -The Last Homely House: The Masculine Urge to Die at Sea

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2024


    Fr. Andrew comes over to this side of the podcast to discuss the tale of The Mariner's Wife, one of the most melancholy tales in the legendarium. They talk about marriage, the sea, and Fr. Andrew even shares a beautiful piece of music to lift our spirits at the end…

    103 -The Last Homely House: The Masculine Urge to Die at Sea

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2024


    Fr. Andrew comes over to this side of the podcast to discuss the tale of The Mariner's Wife, one of the most melancholy tales in the legendarium. They talk about marriage, the sea, and Fr. Andrew even shares a beautiful piece of music to lift our spirits at the end…

    102 -The Last Homely House: The War of Wrath

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024


    Podcaster and entomologist Aaron Irber of “I Might Believe in Faeries” rejoins Richard to continue his extended deep-read of the Silmarillion. They finish up the Quenta Silmarillion proper. If this series has passed from the high and the beautiful to darkness and ruin, that was of old the fate of Arda Marred; and if any change shall come and the Marring be amended, Manwë and Varda may know; but they have not revealed it, and it is not declared in the dooms of Mandos

    102 -The Last Homely House: The War of Wrath

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024


    Podcaster and entomologist Aaron Irber of “I Might Believe in Faeries” rejoins Richard to continue his extended deep-read of the Silmarillion. They finish up the Quenta Silmarillion proper. If this series has passed from the high and the beautiful to darkness and ruin, that was of old the fate of Arda Marred; and if any change shall come and the Marring be amended, Manwë and Varda may know; but they have not revealed it, and it is not declared in the dooms of Mandos

    101 - Niggle by Cyril

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2024


    Dr. Cyril Jenkins joins Fr. Andrew for a reading of Tolkien's short story “Leaf by Niggle.” Is this really an allegory? What does it say about this life and the life of the age to come? Why did Tolkien write this story?

    101 - Niggle by Cyril

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2024


    Dr. Cyril Jenkins joins Fr. Andrew for a reading of Tolkien's short story “Leaf by Niggle.” Is this really an allegory? What does it say about this life and the life of the age to come? Why did Tolkien write this story?

    100 - There's (No) Religion in Middle-earth

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2024


    After 99 episodes of talking about how to interpret Tolkien's works in religious and specifically Orthodox Christian terms, in Episode 100 Fr. Andrew and Richard talk about all that religion that really is in Middle-earth. Because actually it really is in there – prayer, worship, invocation of saints, etc. The episode wraps up with a big announcement about the future of the podcast.

    100 - There's (No) Religion in Middle-earth

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2024


    After 99 episodes of talking about how to interpret Tolkien's works in religious and specifically Orthodox Christian terms, in Episode 100 Fr. Andrew and Richard talk about all that religion that really is in Middle-earth. Because actually it really is in there – prayer, worship, invocation of saints, etc. The episode wraps up with a big announcement about the future of the podcast.

    099 - Lenten Meditation: How to Save the Shire

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2024


    Richard Rohlin returns from his travels and travails with a lenten meditation on food and song, bacon and eggs, and the love of home.

    099 -Lenten Meditation: How to Save the Shire

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2024


    Richard Rohlin returns from his travels and travails with a lenten meditation on food and song, bacon and eggs, and the love of home.

    098 - No Living Man Am I

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2024


    Author Georgia Briggs joins Fr. Andrew to talk about the character arc of the great Eowyn, Shieldmaiden of the North and White Lady of Rohan. Why is she the way that she is? Why is she so relatable? What makes her different from the other prominent women in The Lord of the Rings? And which passage in The Silmarillion has notable parallels with her confrontation with the Witch-king of Angmar?

    098 - No Living Man Am I

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2024


    Author Georgia Briggs joins Fr. Andrew to talk about the character arc of the great Eowyn, Shieldmaiden of the North and White Lady of Rohan. Why is she the way that she is? Why is she so relatable? What makes her different from the other prominent women in The Lord of the Rings? And which passage in The Silmarillion has notable parallels with her confrontation with the Witch-king of Angmar?

    098 - No Living Man Am I

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2024 171:45


    Author Georgia Briggs joins Fr. Andrew to talk about the character arc of the great Eowyn, Shieldmaiden of the North and White Lady of Rohan. Why is she the way that she is? Why is she so relatable? What makes her different from the other prominent women in The Lord of the Rings? And which passage in The Silmarillion has notable parallels with her confrontation with the Witch-king of Angmar?

    097 - Brightest of Angels (Christmas Special)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2023


    For their 2023 Christmas episode, Fr. Andrew and Richard discuss the Old English Cynewulf poem “Christ,” whoase famous line “Eala Earendel engla beorhtast” inspired the core of the Tolkien legendarium.

    097 - Brightest of Angels (Christmas Special)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2023 98:40


    For their 2023 Christmas episode, Fr. Andrew and Richard discuss the Old English Cynewulf poem “Christ,” whose famous line “Eala Earendel engla beorhtast” inspired the core of the Tolkien legendarium.

    097 - Brightest of Angels (Christmas Special)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2023


    For their 2023 Christmas episode, Fr. Andrew and Richard discuss the Old English Cynewulf poem “Christ,” whoase famous line “Eala Earendel engla beorhtast” inspired the core of the Tolkien legendarium.

    096 -The Last Homely House: The Star-Ship Vingilot

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2023 127:59


    Andrea with the Bangs comes back for Part 2 of our mini-series on the Voyages of Earendil. She and Richard talk more about what it would mean for Earendil to leave his wife and sons for the doomed voyage into the West, take a deep-dive into Tolkien's insanely complex notes for his unfinished Earendil heptology. Finally, Andrea makes a billion-dollar pitch.

    096 -The Last Homely House: The Star-Ship Vingolot

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2023 127:59


    Andrea with the Bangs comes back for Part 2 of our mini-series on the Voyages of Earendil. She and Richard talk more about what it would mean for Earendil to leave his wife and sons for the doomed voyage into the West, take a deep-dive into Tolkien's insanely complex notes for his unfinished Earendil heptology. Finally, Andrea makes a billion-dollar pitch.

    096 - The Last Homely House: The Star-Ship Vingilot

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2023


    Andrea with the Bangs comes back for Part 2 of our mini-series on the Voyages of Earendil. She and Richard talk more about what it would mean for Earendil to leave his wife and sons for the doomed voyage into the West, take a deep-dive into Tolkien's insanely complex notes for his unfinished Earendil heptology. Finally, Andrea makes a billion-dollar pitch.

    096 - The Last Homely House: The Star-Ship Vingilot

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2023


    Andrea with the Bangs comes back for Part 2 of our mini-series on the Voyages of Earendil. She and Richard talk more about what it would mean for Earendil to leave his wife and sons for the doomed voyage into the West, take a deep-dive into Tolkien's insanely complex notes for his unfinished Earendil heptology. Finally, Andrea makes a billion-dollar pitch.

    095 - Roads Go Ever Ever On

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2023 146:50


    Richard joins Fr. Andrew for the conclusion of his two-year walk through The Hobbit, pondering on what it means to be just a little hobbit in the wide world, reading a little Tinfang Warble, and taking a funky dive into the funkiest of all Tolkien movies.

    095 - Roads Go Ever Ever On

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2023


    Richard joins Fr. Andrew for the conclusion of his two-year walk through The Hobbit, pondering on what it means to be just a little hobbit in the wide world, reading a little Tinfang Warble, and taking a funky dive into the funkiest of all Tolkien movies.

    095 - Roads Go Ever Ever On

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2023


    Richard joins Fr. Andrew for the conclusion of his two-year walk through The Hobbit, pondering on what it means to be just a little hobbit in the wide world, reading a little Tinfang Warble, and taking a funky dive into the funkiest of all Tolkien movies.

    094 - The Last Homely House: These Are the Voyages

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2023


    Richard is rejoined by Andrea with the Bangs for part 1 of a 2-part series on the Voyages of Earendil. They talk about stories, the necessity of properly pairing the masculine and the feminine, and various matters touching seabirds. Richard poses a billion-dollar question to Andrea and the audience.

    voyages bangs last homely house
    094 - The Last Homely House: These Are the Voyages

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2023


    Richard is rejoined by Andrea with the Bangs for part 1 of a 2-part series on the Voyages of Earendil. They talk about stories, the necessity of properly pairing the masculine and the feminine, and various matters touching seabirds. Richard poses a billion-dollar question to Andrea and the audience.

    voyages bangs last homely house
    094 - The Last Homely House: These Are the Voyages

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2023 97:38


    Richard is rejoined by Andrea with the Bangs for part 1 of a 2-part series on the Voyages of Earendil. They talk about stories, the necessity of properly pairing the masculine and the feminine, and various matters touching seabirds. Richard poses a billion-dollar question to Andrea and the audience.

    093 - Until the World is Renewed

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2023


    Michael Landsman joins Fr. Andrew to look at the penultimate chapter of The Hobbit, chapter 18, “The Return Journey,” featuring many farewells and most importantly, the death of Thorin. They talk about themes of hope, asceticism, blessings, generosity, repentance, and of course dwarven eschatology.

    093 - Until the World is Renewed

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2023


    Michael Landsman joins Fr. Andrew to look at the penultimate chapter of The Hobbit, chapter 18, “The Return Journey,” featuring many farewells and most importantly, the death of Thorin. They talk about themes of hope, asceticism, blessings, generosity, repentance, and of course dwarven eschatology.

    093 - Until the World is Renewed

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2023 117:08


    Michael Landsman joins Fr. Andrew to look at the penultimate chapter of The Hobbit, chapter 18, “The Return Journey,” featuring many farewells and most importantly, the death of Thorin. They talk about themes of hope, asceticism, blessings, generosity, repentance, and of course dwarven eschatology.

    092 - The Last Homely House: Gondolin

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2023 117:44


    Michael Haldas joins Richard once again to wrap up the conversation they started in 089 - The Last Homely House: The Fall of Everything. This time, they finally make it to Gondolin, and talk about how Professor Tolkien first broke their hearts. Michael also gives us a DoxaMoot after-action report, and we talk once again about the danger presented by lonely metalworkers.

    092 - The Last Homely House: Gondolin

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2023


    Michael Haldas joins Richard once again to wrap up the conversation they started in 089 - The Last Homely House: The Fall of Everything. This time, they finally make it to Gondolin, and talk about how Professor Tolkien first broke their hearts. Michael also gives us a DoxaMoot after-action report, and we talk once again about the danger presented by lonely metalworkers.

    gondolin last homely house michael haldas
    092 - The Last Homely House: Gondolin

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2023


    Michael Haldas joins Richard once again to wrap up the conversation they started in 089 - The Last Homely House: The Fall of Everything. This time, they finally make it to Gondolin, and talk about how Professor Tolkien first broke their hearts. Michael also gives us a DoxaMoot after-action report, and we talk once again about the danger presented by lonely metalworkers.

    gondolin last homely house michael haldas
    092 - The Last Homely House: Gondolin

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2023 117:44


    Michael Haldas joins Richard once again to wrap up the conversation they started in 089 - The Last Homely House: The Fall of Everything. This time, they finally make it to Gondolin, and talk about how Professor Tolkien first broke their hearts. Michael also gives us a DoxaMoot after-action report, and we talk once again about the danger presented by lonely metalworkers.

    091 - A Dream Some Other Mind is Weaving

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2023


    Unearthed from hidden archives (because you can never delve too greedily nor too deeply when it comes to lore), we present this previously unpublished 2021 DoxaMoot lecture by Richard Rohlin: "'A dream that some other mind is weaving': Faerian Drama and the Liturgical Making of Middle-earth."

    091 - A Dream Some Other Mind is Weaving

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2023


    Unearthed from hidden archives (because you can never delve too greedily nor too deeply when it comes to lore), we present this previously unpublished 2021 DoxaMoot lecture by Richard Rohlin: "'A dream that some other mind is weaving': Faerian Drama and the Liturgical Making of Middle-earth."

    091 - A Dream Some Other Mind is Weaving

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2023 115:58


    Unearthed from hidden archives (because you can never delve too greedily nor too deeply when it comes to lore), we present this previously unpublished 2021 DoxaMoot lecture by Richard Rohlin: "'A dream that some other mind is weaving': Faerian Drama and the Liturgical Making of Middle-earth."

    Claim Amon Sûl

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel