Catholic:Under The Hood

Links: Photo of mosaic of Justinian I by Petar Milošević Map of Europe in 526 Litle Hagia Sophia/Sergius and Bacchus . The Code of Justinian Map of Samaria Justinian’s law on the Jews Check out the other great Catholic podcasts at the Starquest Production Network To listen, just click on the link below: #496 – […]

Saint Benedict of Nursia and his Rule set out to establish a monastic charism of moderation for beginners that would become the model of monastic spirituality throughout the West. We also look at the importance of monastic penance and child oblates. Links: Icon of Saint Benedict Map of important sites connected to Benedict Rule of […]

Conflicts over Augustine’s theology of prevenient grace and predestination arise in Gaul as Caesarius of Arles defends himself against suggestions of heresy at the Council of Orange. Pope Boniface II tries and fails to name his successor. A pope changes his name. Links: Photo of relic of Caesarius of Arles by Cangadoba Canons of the […]

After a survey of the Christian/Jewish relationship in the former Roman Empire and in the Byzantine Empire, we look at the status of Christians outside the Byzantine Empire. We end with a look at how Pope Felix IV tried to avoid a crisis over his succession, yet accomplished that very thing. Links: Mosaic of Mosaic […]

In the late 5th/early 6th century, there were significant developments in monastic spirituality. In the West, the appearance of the Rule of the Master. In the East, the homilies of Jacob of Serug. Bishops tried to exert control over monastics, monastics worked to keep themselves autonomous. The laity also experienced new expressions of spirituality – […]

A growing Church and political instability mean new responsibilities for the clergy – especially the bishops. Not even the Church of Rome remains unaffected. Links: Icon of Caesarius of Arles Map of the territory of the various Patriarchs Check out the other great Catholic podcasts at the Starquest Production Network To listen, just click on […]

The Church in the late 5th/early 6th centuries continues to struggle with the right relationship to the pagan culture of the Greek/Roman Empire – what must be rejected as false, what should be preserved as true, what can be authentically Christianized. Links: Image of Murano Diptych Poetry: Paulinus of Pella – Eucharisticon Music: Boethius on […]

In this episode, we look at the Easter Tables of Dionysius Exiguus, the beginnings of the Anno Domini dating system, historical Chronicles and the Liber Pontificalis – all seeking to present God as Lord of time and history. Links: Image of Ravenna Paschal/Easter Calendar by Apatak. The Collectio Dionysiana – Dionysius’ work on canon law […]

As the Church of Rome and the Emperor Justin move to restore ties with the end of the Acacian Schism, tensions between King Theodoric of Italy and the Byzantine Empire increase leading to the imprisonment and death of both the Roman Senator Boethius and Pope John I. In the East, the Monophysites face the challenges […]

The Scythian Monks hoped to end the conflict between the Chalcedonians and Monophysites. But their endorsement of Theopaschatism – that one of the Trinity/Jesus Christ was crucified in the flesh caused concern in both the East and the West – as the debates between Cyril and Nestorius and between Augustine and Pelagius continued to challenge […]

The death of Anastasius and accession of Justin as Emperor offers a new opportunity for the restoration of ecclesiastical union between Rome and Constantinople. However, behind the union many problems remained as a union motivated by politics could not resolve religious tensions. Links: Solidus of Emperor Justin by CNG. Correspondence between Pope Hormisdas and the […]

The mystical theologian Pseudo-Dionysius may remain a mystery, but the influence of his work upon the theology of the Eastern and Western Church is quite evident. From the theology of the Angels, to Christology, to Prayer, Pseudo-Dionysius left the stamp of his thought upon the Church. Links: Icon of the original Dionysius the Areopagite. Pope […]

After a brief presentation of the Christology of Severus of Antioch and its relationship to Neo-Chalcedonianism, we move to another attempt at ending the Acacian Schism. However, Pope Hormisdas of Rome continues his predecessor’s strong line toward the East. Links: Image of Pope Hormisdas of Rome. Map of Thrace – site of the Vitalian Rebellion […]

Emperor Anastasius of the Byzantine Empire with the support of Philoxenus of Mabbug, Severus of Antioch and John II/III of Alexandria aggressively move to put an end to support for the Council of Chalcedon, but they face strong resistance. Links: Icon of Severus of Antioch. Kazimierz Ginter on the Trisagion Riots Boethius on Eutyches and […]

Symmachus and Laurentius fight for control of the Church of Rome with all the means they have at their disposal. The Basilica of St. Peter’s grows in importance as the symbol of the Pope’s Petrine authority. Links: Ruins of the original Basilica of Saint Agnes fuori le Mura. Repaired during the papacy of Symmachus. Photo […]

Controversy over the Acacian Schism leads to a schism with the Church of Rome and the bishops of Italy debate whether anyone but God can judge the actions of a Pope. Links: Mosaic at the Basilica of Saint Agnes. Pope Symmachus is to the left. John Moorhead, The Laurentian Schism: East and West in the […]

Pope Gelasius I enunciates the proper relationship between the Pope of Rome and the Emperor and the proper relationship between the Pope of Rome and the Metropolitan Bishop of Constantinople. Unfortunately for Gelasius, the Emperor and Bishop of Constantinople have a different understanding. After the death of Gelasius, Pope Anastasius II strives to ease tensions […]

In Gaul, Clovis becomes the first of the Germanic leaders to adopt Nicene Christianity. In Rome, Pope Gelasius struggles to deal with the problems caused by recent wars in Italy. The Acacian Schism continues to fester. Links: The Baptism of Clovis by the Master of Saint Giles Gregory of Tours on the Conversion of Clovis […]

In North Africa, Fulgentius of Ruspe defends the Nicenes against the return of Arian Persecution. In Gaul, Caesarius of Arles writes the first Western rule for Monastic Women. In Italy, Theodoric seeks to keep the peace between the Arians and the Nicenes. Plus, the Athanasian and Apostles’ Creeds. Links: Page from from the Arian Bible […]

The School of Nisibis and Narsai spread the Christology of Theodore of Mopsuestia throughout the Church of the East. Links: Mar Jacob Church in Nisibis by Gareth Hughes. Some examples of Narsai’s Mêmrê can be found here Adam Izdebski, “The School of Nisibis: An Ancient Religious Community?” Frederick McLeod, “Narsai’s Dependence on Theodore of Mopsuestia” […]

The Church of the East moves away from the Church of the Roman Empire through the adaptation of married clergy and the adaptation of the Christology of Theodore of Mopsuestia as its official teaching. Meanwhile, the Church of Armenia adopts Zeno’s Henotikon. Links: Map of the Roman/Persian Border by Cplakidas. On the map, Iberia is […]

As the conflict between East and West over the Henotikon continues, Pope Felix III needs to deal with Nicenes in North Africa abandoning the faith and the Ostrogoths invading Italy. We also look at the theology of Philoxenus of Mabbug. Links: Photo of coin of Theodoric the Great Information on Philoxenus of Mabbug Check out […]

Zeno’s Henotikon succeeds in establishing a tenuous religious peace in the East but provokes schism with Pope Felix III over its apparent failure to defend the Council of Chalcedon and Acacius’ unwillingness to recognize Felix’s claims of Petrine Authority Links: Photo of coin of Emperor Zeno by Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. Christopher Haas. “Patriarch and […]

St. Faustus of Riez leads the bishops of Gaul against the theology of Predestination showing that the defeat of Pelagius has not meant the complete acceptance of Augustine. In the East, in an attempt to create unity between Chalcedonians and Monophysites, Eastern Emperor Zeno issues the Henotikon. Links: Photo of image of Saint Faustus by […]

In the West, the Fall of Roman power in the West meant the domination of Arians in the Kingdom of the Vandals of North Africa, the Kingdom of the Visigoths in Hispania and Gaul and the Kingdom of Odoacer in Italy. In North Africa, the Nicene Romans experienced severe persecution. In Italy, there was relative […]