Podcasts about Constantinople

He was born to a distinguished and pious Christian family in Thessalonika. After acquiring an unusually good education he spent a few years in Constantinople, then returned to his native city. He spoke both Turkish and Arabic well, and often conversed with Muslims. Once, while speaking with an emir, Athanasius pronounced the Muslim confession of faith to illustrate a point. The emir, seeing an opportunity, immediately reported Athanasius to the Islamic judge, claiming that he had converted to Islam. The judge found no merit in the case and would have dismissed Athanasius; but the emir and other officials were insistent, and the judge pressured Athanasius to convert. When Athanasius answered that he knew no truth but that of Christ, he was thrown in prison. When he appeared before the judge several days later, he was still firm in his confession, and was sentenced to death. He was hanged outside the city in 1774, at the age of twenty-five.

In AD 325, over three hundred bishops gathered to answer a question that threatened to tear the church apart: Was Jesus Christ truly God, or merely the greatest of God's creatures? Their answer, refined at Constantinople in 381, became the Nicene Creed - the most universally confessed statement of Christian faith across all denominations. Pastor Tim Winterstein is the author of the new book “Worshiped and Glorified: A Study of the Nicene Creed,” available from Concordia Publishing House.  The Rev. Tim Winterstein, pastor of University Lutheran Church in Bloomington, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to discuss the Nicene Creed.  To learn more about University Lutheran, visit indianalutheran.com. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Let’s investigate the humanity of Jesus using Stoic philosophy, Concupiscence, Docetism, Monophysitism, the Council of Constantinople (381 AD), and the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD). Books by Paul Gondreau available at https://amzn.to/41vDEMt Dominican Friars Thomistic Institute Credo at https://amzn.to/41uEbhQ ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Mark's TIMELINE Video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credit: The Thomistic Institute-Could God Weep or Feel Pain? Christ's Assumption of Human Suffering for Our Sake by Professor Paul Gondreau (27jun2025). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's Hoes Throughout History, Kelsey dives into the scandalous, petty, and downright iconic life of Theodora of Byzantium - the actress-turned-courtesan who flipped the script and became Empress of the Byzantine Empire.From slut-shaming gossip in the history books to changing laws for women, Theodora's story is messy, powerful, and oh-so-relevant. We'll cover:Her rise from stage girl to co-ruler

Which city has been the capital of three different empires? Which city is located on two continents at the same time? And which city has been known throughout history by three very different names, including Byzantium and Constantinople? The answer, of course, is Istanbul. Today, we're going to explore the fascinating history of this city. For over 2,500 years, Istanbul has stood at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Christianity and Islam, East and West. It has been a centre of politics, culture, religion, and trade. So many of you requested this episode, and I hope you enjoy learning some history while improving your English comprehension and vocabulary! Conversation Club - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TRANSCRIPT - ⁠https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2025/09/01/351-history-of-istanbul-english-vocabulary-lesson/ AD Free Episode - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thinking in English Bonus Podcast -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/collection/869866⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube Channel -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTAGRAM - thinkinginenglishpodcast (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Borough by Blue Dot Sessions Contact ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ to advertise on Thinking in English. Thinking in English is part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Airwave Media podcast network.⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send a message to the JestersMuch has happened to our pilgrims since they left Constantinople. Let's take some time to reflect on our pasts before we open the box.Starring: Casey Reardon (The Chronicler), Rachel Kordell (Cyris Akropolites), Andrew Frost (Bortz), Ian (Valentine), Mozz (Sister Marula), Seth Coveyou (Scipio).Edit Team: Casey Reardon & Sky Swanson [SFX Artist]Shoutouts! Interested in Danse Macabre? Check out their Kickstarter Prelaunch page here: stillfleet.com/danseksCome join us over at the Jesters' Discord over at https://discord.gg/J48FJYWfNeed more game modules? Check out https://hatdbuilder.com for some fantastic new content to bring to your games! Use the code 'RPJESTERS' for 20% off your order, and to support the show!Check out Mozz's solo RPG stuff over at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCohQ2aNHI8&list=PLJuNX0nabAbRZfMcmgxhfRhlCm4LfMETBWant some cool RP Jesters Merch? Check out our website https://rpjesters.com/pages/storeCheck out Rachel over at Folk and Myth https://www.twitch.tv/folkandmyth or in Glory of Blood from Haunted Halls Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/glory-of-blood-episode-1-the-crimson-ascension/id1771523557?i=1000716193622Support the show directly and get hours of bonus content over at https://www.patreon.com/c/rpjesters/membershipIntro/Outro Music by Seth Coveyou.Additional Music by Josh StackhouseAdditional Music by Monument Studios and YouTube Audio Library.Game System: Danse MacabreSupport the showCheck our socials!

St Alexander took part in the First Ecumenical Council as delegate of Patriarch Metrophanes, who was too frail to attend; and succeeded Metrophanes on the Patriarchal throne. By his prayer to God that the Church might be spared the schemings of Arius, Arius was struck dead.   St John is, by one account, St John the Faster (Sept. 2), who reposed in 595; by another, St John Scholasticus (Feb. 21), who reposed in 577.   St Paul was Patriarch for five years, then renounced the Patriarchal throne to take the Great Schema.

La Turquie est un pays à majorité musulmane, mais compte de nombreuses églises et de nombreux endroits très symboliques pour le christianisme. À Istanbul, tous les premiers jours du mois, une église réputée pour ses miracles, accueille les locaux et les touristes de toutes les religions, qui font la queue pour pouvoir faire un vœu. Elle attire beaucoup de monde, peu importe les obéissances. De notre correspondante à Istanbul, Une file d'attente s'étire dans la rue à l'extérieur de l'église grecque orthodoxe. Tous les premiers du mois, Notre-Dame-de-Vefa ne désemplit pas : de nombreuses personnes viennent faire un vœu, symbolisé par une clef.  Aigül est kazakhe, de passage à Istanbul. À ses côtés, sa mère tient deux clefs dans ses mains : l'année dernière, elle avait fait deux vœux qui se sont réalisés, alors elle est venue ramener ces clefs comme l'indique la tradition. De son côté, Aigül est venue faire un souhait à son tour : « Je me suis renseignée sur cet endroit et beaucoup de gens pensent que leurs rêves se sont vraiment réalisés. Alors, moi aussi, je veux voir si c'est vrai. C'est intéressant et ma mère m'a dit que ses rêves se sont réalisés, c'est pourquoi elle a donné des bonbons. » Comme elle, certaines personnes remontent la file en offrant des sucreries, car leur vœu s'est réalisé. Ici les croyances se mélangent, en témoignent quelques chaussures laissées à l'entrée de l'église, comme à l'entrée d'une mosquée. Mine est turque et c'est une habituée : « Je suis musulmane. Mais je fréquente cette église depuis de nombreuses années. J'essaie surtout de ne pas manquer les premiers jours du mois. Cela m'apporte la paix. J'ai l'impression d'être guérie. Je prie. Je prie dans ma propre langue, selon ma propre religion. Je dis qu'Allah est unique. Je prends de l'eau des sources d'Ayazma. Je m'en sers pour me laver le visage le matin. » L'église, dédiée à la Vierge Marie, est construite sur une source d'eau considérée comme sacrée et réputée pour ses miracles. Notre-Dame-de-Vefa dépend du patriarcat œcuménique de Constantinople. Pour le père Hieronymos Sotirelis, en plus d'être un endroit religieux symbolique, c'est aussi un exemple du vivre-ensemble : « Cela permet à l'humanité de se rassembler, d'une manière magnifique qui fait abstraction de toute politique, idéologie personnelle et tout ce qui s'y rapporte. Nous sommes tous simplement des enfants de Dieu, debout ensemble, attendant sa grâce dans une petite cour d'église. La personne derrière moi est orthodoxe, celle devant moi est musulmane, celle après elle est arménienne… c'est un magnifique reflet de ce que l'humanité peut être. » Pour le père, l'église Vefa est à l'image d'Istanbul, un mélange historique de communautés et de religions. Mais les chrétiens représentent aujourd'hui moins de 1 % de la population turque, témoins du douloureux passé de la communauté. À lire aussiL'Église orthodoxe dans les relations internationales

La Turquie est un pays à majorité musulmane, mais compte de nombreuses églises et de nombreux endroits très symboliques pour le christianisme. À Istanbul, tous les premiers jours du mois, une église réputée pour ses miracles, accueille les locaux et les touristes de toutes les religions, qui font la queue pour pouvoir faire un vœu. Elle attire beaucoup de monde, peu importe les obéissances. De notre correspondante à Istanbul, Une file d'attente s'étire dans la rue à l'extérieur de l'église grecque orthodoxe. Tous les premiers du mois, Notre-Dame-de-Vefa ne désemplit pas : de nombreuses personnes viennent faire un vœu, symbolisé par une clef.  Aigül est kazakhe, de passage à Istanbul. À ses côtés, sa mère tient deux clefs dans ses mains : l'année dernière, elle avait fait deux vœux qui se sont réalisés, alors elle est venue ramener ces clefs comme l'indique la tradition. De son côté, Aigül est venue faire un souhait à son tour : « Je me suis renseignée sur cet endroit et beaucoup de gens pensent que leurs rêves se sont vraiment réalisés. Alors, moi aussi, je veux voir si c'est vrai. C'est intéressant et ma mère m'a dit que ses rêves se sont réalisés, c'est pourquoi elle a donné des bonbons. » Comme elle, certaines personnes remontent la file en offrant des sucreries, car leur vœu s'est réalisé. Ici les croyances se mélangent, en témoignent quelques chaussures laissées à l'entrée de l'église, comme à l'entrée d'une mosquée. Mine est turque et c'est une habituée : « Je suis musulmane. Mais je fréquente cette église depuis de nombreuses années. J'essaie surtout de ne pas manquer les premiers jours du mois. Cela m'apporte la paix. J'ai l'impression d'être guérie. Je prie. Je prie dans ma propre langue, selon ma propre religion. Je dis qu'Allah est unique. Je prends de l'eau des sources d'Ayazma. Je m'en sers pour me laver le visage le matin. » L'église, dédiée à la Vierge Marie, est construite sur une source d'eau considérée comme sacrée et réputée pour ses miracles. Notre-Dame-de-Vefa dépend du patriarcat œcuménique de Constantinople. Pour le père Hieronymos Sotirelis, en plus d'être un endroit religieux symbolique, c'est aussi un exemple du vivre-ensemble : « Cela permet à l'humanité de se rassembler, d'une manière magnifique qui fait abstraction de toute politique, idéologie personnelle et tout ce qui s'y rapporte. Nous sommes tous simplement des enfants de Dieu, debout ensemble, attendant sa grâce dans une petite cour d'église. La personne derrière moi est orthodoxe, celle devant moi est musulmane, celle après elle est arménienne… c'est un magnifique reflet de ce que l'humanité peut être. » Pour le père, l'église Vefa est à l'image d'Istanbul, un mélange historique de communautés et de religions. Mais les chrétiens représentent aujourd'hui moins de 1 % de la population turque, témoins du douloureux passé de la communauté. À lire aussiL'Église orthodoxe dans les relations internationales

Send us a textThe Seljuks have been a major player in the podcast since the end of season two, and finally, after nearly two centuries, they will be destroyed by the Mongolians. They put up a good fight against the Khwarezmian Empire, and perhaps that gave the Seljuks a false sense of ability. When they do face off against the Mongols, it is a disaster, and they will become vassals to the great Mongol Horde. The fractured remains of the Sultanate will leave a vacuum for a new Turkish power to rise. The events in this episode will pave the road for the rise of the Ottoman Empire.The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events from Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, and the fall of Constantinople in 1453, to the years under the Ottoman Empire, and 1821 when the Greeks fought for independence... all the way to the modern-day.Website: www.moderngreecepodcast.comSOCIAL MEDIA: Go here to chat with us. https://www.instagram.com/historyofmodern%20greece/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578023316172Music by Mark Jungerman: www.marcjungermann.comCheck out our 2nd Podcast: www.antecedors.com

Many people are aware of the Council of Nicaea in 325, which gave us the […]

"Husband and wife, they were both of noble and wealthy families in Nicomedia. Adrian was the governor of the Praetorium and a pagan, and Natalia was a secret Christian. They were both young, and had lived in wedlock for thirteen months in all before their martyrdom. When the wicked Emperor Maximian visited Nicomedia, he ordered that the Christians be seized and put to torture. There were twenty-three Christians hidden in a cave near the city. Someone handed them over to the authorities and they were cruelly flogged with leather whips and staves, and thrown into prison. They were then taken from prison and brought before the Praetor for their names to be noted. Adrian looked a these people, tortured but unbowed, peaceful and meek, and he put them under oath to say what they hoped for from their God, that they should undergo such tortures. They spoke to him of the blessedness of the righteous in the Kingdom of God. Hearing this, and again looking at these people, Adrian suddenly turned to the scribe and said: 'Write my name along with those of these saints; I also am a Christian.' When the Emperor heard of this, he asked him: 'Have you lost your mind?' Adrian replied: 'I haven't lost it, but found it!' Hearing this, Natalia rejoiced greatly, and, when Adrian sat chained with the others in prison, came and ministered to them all. When they flogged her husband and put him to various tortures, she encouraged him to endure to the end. After long torture and imprisonment, the Emperor ordered that they be taken to the prison anvil, for their arms and legs to be broken with hammers. This was done and Adrian, along with the twenty-three others, breathed his last under the vicious tortures. Natalia took their relics to Constantinople and there buried them. After several days, Adrian appeared to her, bathed in light and beauty and calling her to come to God, and she peacefully gave her soul into her Lord's hands." (Prologue)

Friends of the Rosary,We celebrate today the feast of Our Lady of Częstochowa, also known as the Black Madonna.The icon enshrined in Jasna Góra (Bright Hill) Monastery in Częstochowa, Poland, was painted by Luke the Evangelist on a cypress wood panel from a table used by the Holy Family in Nazareth.This Byzantine icon was discovered by St. Helen, the mother of Emperor Constantine and enshrined in the imperial city of Constantinople, where it remained for the next 500 years. The image was then brought to Poland in the 14th century.The image of Our Lady of Częstochowa is associated with several miraculous events.After the liberation of Poland from Nazi occupation, 1.5 million people gathered at Jasna Góra in 1945 to rededicate the nation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.Our Lady's intercession is credited with the liberation of Poland from Communist rule.Pope John Paul II visited the image of Our Lady of Częstochowa four times during his pontificate.The holy painting enshrined at Częstochowa has been a lighthouse of hope during centuries of hardship and defeat. Today, the Shrine of Our Lady of Częstochowa attracts millions of people who love and honor Our Lady's intercession.It is known as the “Black Madonna” because of the soot residue that discolors the painting, a result of centuries of votive lights and candles burning in front of it.Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New York• ⁠August 26, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

In part 8 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses what happened at the 5th Ecumenical Council - The 2nd Council of Constantinople. In this episode, you'll learn about the schisms that occurred after the Council of Chalcedon, the fall of Rome and the Western Roman Empire, and the rise of the Eastern Roman Empire (aka the Byzantine Empire), as well as the decisions at the 2nd Council of Constantinople. HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST* Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.* Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).* Invite Justin to speak at your next event. Inquire at whycatholic@substack.com.SOCIAL LINKS* Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.* Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTube.* Follow Justin on Facebook.SOURCES:* Details and map of the fall of the Western Roman Empire* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly* The First Seven Ecumenical Councils (325-787): Their History and Theology by Leo Davis* New Advent: Henoticon * Byzantine Empire: Map, History, and Facts* History of the Popes Podcast (Series on West Meets East - beginning with episode 52)* History of the Popes Podcast (Episode 74: Everyone Hates Vigilius)* The Tome of Pope Leo I* Episode 113: The Great Popes* New Advent: 2nd Council of Constantinople* Papal Encyclicals Online: 2nd Council of Constantinople* New Advent: Three Chapters* Pontifacts: 61. Vigiliius* Pontifacts: Council Episode - The Second Council of ConstantinoplePREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea* Episode 148: The First Council of Nicaea (325)* Episode 149: From Nicaea to Constantinople* Episode 150: The First Council of Constantinople (381)* Episode 151: The Council of Ephesus (431)* Episode 152: The Council of Chalcedon (451) Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

Constantine and Helen. Basil and Gregory. Milan and Constantinople. Jerome and Augustine. Monumental people, places, and events came together in the fourth century to form the great Christian faith and civilization that have shaped our world. Scott and Kevin provide a brief tour of this epic period.

This recent Equal to the Apostles was born in Mega Dendron (Great Tree) in Aetolia. He became a monk on Mt Athos, where he lived and prayed for many years. But he was troubled by the ignorance of the Gospel that had fallen on many of the Orthodox people, living under the oppression of the Ottoman Turks. He went to Constantinople, where he studied the rhetorical arts and received the blessing of Patriarch Seraphim II to preach the Gospel. He travelled throughout Greece, Macedonia, Serbia and Albania, preaching at every town he visited. Often not only Greeks but many Muslims would come to hear him, so great was his reputation for holiness. Though he always sought the blessing of the local bishop and the local Turkish governor before he preached in an area, his strong condemnations of dishonest business practices aroused the enmity of Orthodox Christian and Jewish merchants, who falsely accused him to the authorities. He was strangled by the Turks and thrown into a river in Albania, but his wonderworking relics were preserved. He reposed at the age of sixty-five.

Creeds, councils, and confessions are helpful, but unlike Scripture they are fallible and reformable in the light of scripture. The Bible alone is God-breathed, infallible in all matters of salvation, and centered on Christ.Through the councils, the Church defended the truth of God's against error: Nicaea upheld Christ's divinity against Arianism, Constantinople affirmed the Spirit's deity, Ephesus rejected Nestorianism, and Chalcedon declared Christ fully God and fully man. Other councils confronted heresies that distorted the faith, always pointing back to Christ.Sola Scriptura reminds us that God's Word is unique in nature and in authority. It is our final standard of truth.This teaching takes us on a journey of the creeds in church history, what they addressed and why they are important. be blessed as you listen to this teaching.

The Crusades are often remembered as heroic quests to reclaim the Holy Land — but the truth is far darker. From massacres in Europe and Jerusalem to the sack of Constantinople, faith was manipulated, and power was abused in the Pope's name.Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠email:beyondtheparadigm@yahoo.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beyond the Paradigm - YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/paradigm1979⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/paradigm_79⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(1) Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support The Show ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ patreon.com/BeyondTheParadigm ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/beyondthep5Guest Link

This methodological intro to the Talmud was held in high esteem, and R Yosef Karo wrote a commentary (סֵפֶר כְּלָלֵי הַגְּמָרָא) on it. One of the first Hebrew books ever printed https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

In part 7 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses what happened at the 4th Ecumenical Council - The Council of Chalcedon. What happened when the theological sheriffs Cyril of Alexandria and John of Antioch died? How did the Second Council of Ephesus almost become the fourth ecumenical council? And what major theological debate did the Council of Chalcedon decide on that is accepted by almost all Christian sects? HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST* Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.* Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).* Invite Justin to speak at your next event. Inquire at whycatholic@substack.com.SOCIAL LINKS* Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.* Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTube.SOURCES:* Map of the Roman Empire in the 5th Century* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly* The First Seven Ecumenical Councils (325-787): Their History and Theology by Leo Davis* History of the Popes Podcast (Series on West Meets East - beginning with episode 52)* The Tome of Pope Leo I* Episode 113: The Great Popes* Episode 111: Papal Infallibility* New Advent: Robber Council of Ephesus* New Advent: First Council of Chalcedon* Papal Encyclicals Online: Council of Chalcedon* Early Christian Schisms - Ephesus, the Robber Council, and Chalcedon - Extra History - Part 4* Charlie Kirk on Mary as the Solution to Toxic FeminismPREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea* Episode 148: The First Council of Nicaea (325)* Episode 149: From Nicaea to Constantinople* Episode 150: The First Council of Constantinople (381)* Episode 151: The Council of Ephesus (431) Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

"Brothers in both the flesh and the spirit, they were both zealous Christians, and stonemasons by craft. They lived in Illyria. Some pagan prince set them to build a pagan temple. It happened during the course of their work that a fragment of stone splintered off and flew into the eye of the pagan priest's son, who was watching the building work with curiosity. Seeing his son blinded and bleeding, the priest shouted at Florus and Laurus and tried to thrash them. Then the holy brothers told him that, if he would believe in the God in whom they believed, his son would be restored to health. The priest promised. Florus and Laurus prayed to the one, living Lord with tears and made the sign of the Cross over the child's stricken eye. The child was healed instantly and his eye became whole as it had been before. Then the priest, Merentius, and his son were baptised, and they both very soon suffered for Christ in the flames. But Florus and Laurus, when they had finished the temple, put a Cross on it, called together all the Christians, and consecrated it in the name of the Lord Jesus with an all-night vigil of hymns. Hearing of this, the governor of Illyria burned many of these Christians by fire and had Florus and Laurus thrown alive into a well, which was then filled with earth. Their relics were later discovered and taken to Constantinople. These two wonderful brothers suffered for Christ, and were glorified by Him, in the second century." (Prologue)

 What's up, dudes? I'm joined by Nick Bicât, the composer and arranger of the music from the 1984 movie “A Christmas Carol!” We really get into it! Find out about his compositional style  and the inspirations behind some of the musical selections and arrangements! We get it all straight from the man himself!   Nick Bicât has written over 150 scores and soundtracks for film, television, theater, festival events and concert performance. Winner of a BAFTA and twice nominated, his film and television scores include “A Christmas Carol”, “The Scarlet Pimpernel” , Wetherby, and The Reflecting Ski. He has composed for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, written eleven musicals and an opera The Knife, with Sir David Hare, (best musical score, 1989 New York Drama Desk Awards). Other collaborators include Tony Bicât, Edward Bond, Adrian Mitchell Howard Brenton and Ted Hughes. Subsequently, he has composed songs for Deniece Williams and P.J. Harvey. His song Who Will Love Me Now?, sung by P.J. Harvey, was BBC Radio 1 top film song for 1998. Albums include Under the Eye of Heaven (Virgin Classics), with the London Chamber Orchestra. A choral work Beslan/Requiem, recorded by Andrew Parrott and the Taverner Consort, was released in 2014, and has been performed several times, recently at St George's, Bristol by the Exultate Choir. His latest work Akathistos,  a processional cantata on the Siege of Constantinople of 626 AD, was premiered at St. Stephen Walbrook, London in January 2020. Catchy carols? Check. Spooky sonorities? Got ‘em. Tipsy choirs? Better grab some brandy! So grab your staff paper, put on the album, and visit the past with this episode! Give us a buzz! Send a text, dudes!Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Totally Rad Christmas Mall & Arcade, Teepublic.com, or TotallyRadChristmas.com! Later, dudes!

The Third "Feast of the Savior" in August While the Lord was preaching in Palestine, his fame reached a king Avgar of Edessa, who suffered from leprosy. Avgar sent a messenger named Ananias to ask whether the Lord could heal his illness. The king also charged Ananias, if he was unable to bring back Jesus Himself, to bring back a likeness of Him. When Ananias found Jesus, the Lord told him that he could not come to Edessa since the time of His passion was at hand. But he took a cloth and washed His face, miraculously leaving a perfect image of His face on the cloth. Ananias brought the holy image back to the king, who reverently kissed it. Immediately his leprosy was healed, save for a small lesion that remained on his forehead. Later the Apostle Thaddeus came to Edessa, preaching the gospel, and Avgar and his household were baptized, at which time his remaining leprosy vanished. The king had the holy likeness mounted on wood and displayed above the city gate for all to revere. But Avgar's grandson returned to idolatry, and the Bishop of Edessa had the image hidden in the city wall to prevent it from being defiled. Many years later, when the Persian king Chosroes besieged Edessa, the Bishop Eulabius was told in a vision to find the sealed chamber, whose location had been forgotten. The holy icon was found, completely incorrupt, and by its power the Persian army was driven off. In the year 944 the image was brought to Constantinople and enshrined in the Church of the Theotokos called the Pharos. This is the event commemorated today.

Send us a textAfter five long episodes covering the Mongolians, we return to the narrative.  John III Vatatzes ruled over the Empire in Nicaea, and it was becoming pretty clear that he would be the one to retake Constantinople so long as they could keep up the momentum. But then all of the neighbouring kingdoms, powerful kingdoms that had existed for centuries, were brought to their knees by the Mongolians. In less than five years, the entire world around John Vatatzes was going to change forever. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events from Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, and the fall of Constantinople in 1453, to the years under the Ottoman Empire, and 1821 when the Greeks fought for independence... all the way to the modern-day.Website: www.moderngreecepodcast.comSOCIAL MEDIA: Go here to chat with us. https://www.instagram.com/historyofmodern%20greece/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578023316172Music by Mark Jungerman: www.marcjungermann.comCheck out our 2nd Podcast: www.antecedors.com

He was the pagan jailkeeper who guarded St Laurence (see August 10); seeing his prisoner's holiness and the wonders wrought by him, Hippolytus was convinced of the truth of the Faith and became a Christian. When St Laurence baptized him, he was granted a vision of heaven and said 'I see innocent souls in great joy.' He took Laurence into his own home, and his entire household were baptized, nineteen in all.   When St Laurence was martyred, Hippolytus retrieved his body by night and buried it. He was detected and brought before the Emperor Valerian on the third day after Laurence's death. Despite severe beatings he would not renounce his faith. The Emperor ordered that he be stripped and flayed but, standing naked before the emperor, Hippolytus said 'You have not stripped me, but have begun to clothe me.' Despite all torments, neither Hippolytus nor any of his household would deny Christ. All of his household were slain, one by one, before Hippolytus. Finally Hippolytus himself was bound behind a wild horse and dragged to death. Our Holy Mother the Empress Irene (Xenia in Monasticism) (12th c.) She was the pious wife of the Emperor John II Comnenus (reigned 1118-1143), but retired into monastic life. She founded the Monastery of the Pantokrator in Constantinople.

In today's episode Ben and Pat are joined by Robin Pierson, host of The History of Byzantium to discuss Nikephoros Phokas was a man who didn't look like he belonged on a battlefield—balding, pale, with a face better suited to an icon in a monastery. But when he put on his armor, he became the Byzantine Empire's ultimate nightmare machine. Known as the “Pale Death of the Saracens,” he crushed enemy armies, reclaimed lost lands, and rode his warhorse straight into the history books. Along the way, he outwitted rivals, seized the throne, and married into the imperial family. But in the scheming, backstabbing world of Constantinople, victories on the battlefield didn't guarantee survival in the palace—and Nikephoros would learn the hard way that the sharpest daggers aren't always carried by soldiers.

“Did the Early Church Have Deaconesses?” This episode explores the role of women in the early Church, including discussions on the Council of Constantinople and whether the Council of Jerusalem should be counted among the ecumenical councils. We also delve into Arianism’s connections to modern groups and the significance of the Council of Ephesus. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 18:30 – The Council of Constantinople 24:40 – Do we count the Council of Jerusalem among the first councils? 29:07 – Pope Leo announced reintroducing Deaconess based on Church History? Were there Deaconess in the Early Church? 31:59 – What the basic stuff to know about the Council of Nicea? 33:19 – Arianism sounds like Jehovah's Witnesses? 35:20 – Why did the council of Ephesus do? 40:10 – I feel like there is a popular opinion that the church was united up until 1054. But at the Council of Ephesus and Council of Calcedon there was a split by assyrian church of the East and oriental orthodox Church. Is this an argument that the church wasn't always Catholic? 45:00 – What is Nestorianism? 47:35 – Who are the heroes of the Council of Ephesus?

In part 6 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses what happened at the 3rd council - The Council of Ephesus. Now that Arianism was finally dying out, what was the major debate happening among Churches? How did tensions between the major hubs of Christianity play a role in the theological divisions? And how did the understanding of the Blessed Virgin Mary help settle this Christological debate? HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST* Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.* Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).* Invite Justin to speak at your next event. Inquire at whycatholic@substack.com.SOCIAL LINKS* Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.* Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTube.SOURCES:* Map of the Roman Empire in 5th Century* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly* The First Seven Ecumenical Councils (325-787): Their History and Theology by Leo Davis* History of the Popes Podcast (Series on West Meets East - beginning with episode 52)* Council of Ephesus | Church Councils Explained (Part 3)* New Advent: First Council of Ephesus* Papal Encyclicals Online: Council of EphesusPREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea* Episode 148: The First Council of Nicaea (325)* Episode 149: From Nicaea to Constantinople* Episode 150: The First Council of Constantinople (381) Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

Full Text of ReadingsTuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 408The Saint of the day is Dedication of Saint Mary Major BasilicaThe Story of the Dedication of Saint Mary Major Basilica First raised at the order of Pope Liberius in the mid-fourth century, the Liberian basilica was rebuilt by Pope Sixtus III shortly after the Council of Ephesus affirmed Mary's title as Mother of God in 431. Rededicated at that time to the Mother of God, St. Mary Major is the largest church in the world honoring God through Mary. Standing atop one of Rome's seven hills, the Esquiline, it has survived many restorations without losing its character as an early Roman basilica. Its interior retains three naves divided by colonnades in the style of Constantine's era. Fifth-century mosaics on its walls testify to its antiquity. St. Mary Major is one of the four Roman basilicas known as patriarchal churches in memory of the first centers of the Church. St. John Lateran represents Rome, the See of Peter; St. Paul Outside the Walls, the See of Alexandria, allegedly the see presided over by Mark; St. Peter's, the See of Constantinople; and St. Mary's, the See of Antioch, where Mary is supposed to have spent most of her later life. One legend, unreported before the year 1000, gives another name to this feast: Our Lady of the Snows. According to that story, a wealthy Roman couple pledged their fortune to the Mother of God. In affirmation, she produced a miraculous summer snowfall and told them to build a church on the site. The legend was long celebrated by releasing a shower of white rose petals from the basilica's dome every August 5. Reflection Theological debate over Christ's nature as God and man reached fever pitch in Constantinople in the early fifth century. The chaplain of Bishop Nestorius began preaching against the title Theotokos, “Mother of God,” insisting that the Virgin was mother only of the human Jesus. Nestorius agreed, decreeing that Mary would henceforth be named “Mother of Christ” in his see. The people of Constantinople virtually revolted against their bishop's refutation of a cherished belief. When the Council of Ephesus refuted Nestorius, believers took to the streets, enthusiastically chanting, “Theotokos! Theotokos!” Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

In part 5 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses what happened at the First Council of Constantinople. What did they accomplish that the Council of Nicaea left incomplete? Which heresies did they address? And why is this council sometimes referred to as an “unecumenical council?”HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST* Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.* Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).* Invite Justin to speak at your next event. Inquire at whycatholic@substack.com.SOCIAL LINKS* Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.* Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTube.SOURCES:* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea* Episode 148: The First Council of Nicaea (325)* Episode 149: From Nicaea to Constantinople* Map of the Roman Empire Under Constantine* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly* The First Seven Ecumenical Councils (325-787): Their History and Theology by Leo Davis* History of the Popes Podcast (Series on the Arian Century - beginning with episode 39)* First Council of Constantinople | Church Councils Explained (Part 2)* New Advent: First Council of Constantinople* Papal Encyclicals Online: First Council of Constantinople* Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

By the year AD 719, the Arab/Berber army had conquered Iberia and was invading Gaul or what is modern France. They seemed unstoppable. Would western Europe fall to Islam? And would the Qu'ran be taught in the schools of Oxford, as Edward Gibbon rather mischievously speculated. Of course, Gibbon knew the outcome. The Arab advance into France came to a shuddering halt at the battle of Poitiers, or Tours as it's sometimes called, in 732 when Charles Martel, or Charles the Hammer, would inflict the first major defeat on the Arabs in western Europe just as the emperor Leo III did in the east in 717/718 at the siege of Constantinople. Thereafter, the Arabs' hopes of adding Europe to their vast empire would be checked in the west by the Franks, and in the east by the Byzantines.In episodes 111 to 113, we looked at the Byzantines, and in the next few episodes I want to look at their western counterpart: the Franks. It comes as no surprise to say the Franks were important in history. Indeed, crucial. For they not just halted the Arab invasion of western Europe but under their greatest king, Charlemagne, they created a vast empire encompassing modern France, and much of Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the Low Countries – in other words most of western Europe. Some historians believe Charlemagne's empire – the Carolingian empire - was the starting point for modern Europe although it broke up fairly rapidly after his death. It would of course take the best part of a thousand years for that to happen but when Charlemagne was crowned as the new Roman emperor in AD 800 in Rome, in my opinion, the Franks rose above all the other Germanic invaders of the Roman Empire to become the true inheritors in western Europe of the once mighty Roman Empire. In this episode, we'll look at the beginning of their rise to power with the reign of the Frankish king Clovis (482-511), who forged the first strong Frankish kingdom in what is now France. For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.comFind my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', Die römische Revolution, on Amazon.de. Finally check out my new YouTube videos on the fall of the Roman Empire.

The controversial confession allegedly written by Cyril Lucaris which brought on the Synod of Jerusalem in 1672. The Eastern Orthodox even denied he was a real Patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church because he not only believed in what Protestants Reformers were teaching, he understood that it was a return back to the Holy Scriptures and its sufficiency. For more on Cyril Lucaris' life, check out these videos:https://youtu.be/A7cE1IfHC2whttps://youtu.be/_yQBY2lPWUcGod bless you!www.divinenature.net

"Saint Eudocimus was from Cappadocia, the son of pious and most illustrious parents, patricians in rank. He especially cultivated chastity and mercy, the one by never meeting the gaze of a woman, the other by cheerfully providing the needs of the poor. When he was made military commander of Cappadocia, he continued in his righteous ways, showing mercy and uprightness in all his dealings. Having so lived in piety, quietly and without ostentation, he was called from this life at the age of thirty-three, about the year 840, during the reign of the Iconoclast Theophilus. Not long after his burial, his grave became a fountain of unending miracles, as God revealed the virtue that Eudocimus had striven to hide; when his grave was later opened, his body was found incorrupt. His holy relics were translated to Constantinople." (Great Horologion)

Send us a textIn our final episode on our Mongol mini-series, we discuss the expedition into Europe, which introduced the Christian Knights to the mighty and invincible horde that had just devastated the Chinese and Islamic world. A small two-general army broke through the Kingdom of Georgia, and annihilated the Cumans and Kievan Rus in a deadly ambush, after luring 80,000 soldiers out into the Steppe. By the end of the episode, Genghis Khan will fall dead, many suggest his death was caused by the Black Death, which is a perfect segway to the Black Plague that followed the Mongol Invasions. You can really see how people living at the time thought this was the end of times.  The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events from Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, and the fall of Constantinople in 1453, to the years under the Ottoman Empire, and 1821 when the Greeks fought for independence... all the way to the modern-day.Website: www.moderngreecepodcast.comMusic by Mark Jungerman: www.marcjungermann.comCheck out our 2nd Podcast: www.antecedors.com

In part 4 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses what happened in the aftermath of the Council of Nicaea? Did the Church become unified, or did it devolve into disarray and abandon Nicene Christianity? Why was the 4th century perhaps one of the most pivotal centuries for Christianity? And what led the Church to once again gather for a second council, this time in Constantinople? HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST* Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.* Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).* Invite Justin to speak at your next event. Inquire at whycatholic@substack.com.SOCIAL LINKS* Follow Why Catholic on Instagram.* Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTube.SOURCES:* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea* Episode 148: The First Council of Nicaea (325)* Map of the Roman Empire Under Constantine* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly* History of the Popes Podcast (Beginning with Episode 27)* First Council of Nicaea | Church Councils Explained (Part 1)* First Council of Constantinople | Church Councils Explained (Part 2)* New Advent: First Council of Nicaea* Papal Encyclicals Online: First Council of Nicaea* Original Nicene Creed of 325 Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

"Saint Irene, who was from Cappadocia, flourished in the ninth century. Because of her great beauty and virtue, she was brought to Constantinople as a prospective bride for the young Emperor Michael (8422-867); however, as St Joannicius the Great foretold, it was God's will that she assume the monastic habit instead. She shone forth in great ascetical labors, and suffered many attacks from the demons; while yet a novice, she attained to the practice of St Arsenius the Great, of praying the whole night long with arms stretched out towards Heaven (see May 8). God showed forth great signs and wonders in her, and she became the Abbess of the Convent of Chrysovalantou. She was granted the gift of clairvoyance and knew the thoughts of all that came to her. She appeared in a vision to the king and rebuked him for unjustly imprisoning a nobleman who had been falsely accused. Through a sailor from Patmos to whom he had appeared, St John the Theologian sent her fragrant and wondrous apples from Paradise. She reposed at the age of 103, still retaining the youthful beauty of her countenance. After her repose, marvellous healings beyond number have been wrought by her to the present day." (Great Horologion)

Long before the Black Death, another plague brought the world to its knees. This episode travels back to the 6th century to witness the terror of the Plague of Justinian. We'll walk the streets of Constantinople as an invisible enemy fells an empire at its peak, derailing the ambitions of one of history's greatest emperors and redrawing the map of the world. This isn't just a history lesson; it's a story about how a microscopic organism can topple superpowers and how societies confront a crisis that defies reason, faith, and power. To unlock full access to all our episodes, consider becoming a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. And don't forget to visit englishpluspodcast.com for even more content, including articles, in-depth studies, and our brand-new audio series and courses now available in our Patreon Shop!

She was born to a noble family in Constantinople: her father Anysius Secundus was a senator. She was betrothed to a nobleman who died before they could be wed; resisting all advice to take another husband, Olympias devoted herself entirely to God, giving her large inheritance to the Church and to the poor. She served as a deaconess, first under the Patriarch Nektarios, then under St John Chrysostom. When St John was sent into exile, he advised her to remain in Constantinople, and to continue to serve the Church whatever patriarch took his place. But as soon as the holy hierarch went into exile, a fire destroyed a large part of the City, and St John's enemies accused the holy Olympias of setting the fire. She in turn was exiled to Nikomedia, where she reposed in 408. She left instructions that her body be placed in a coffin and thrown into the sea, to be buried wherever it was cast up. The coffin came to shore at Vrochthoi and was buried there at a church dedicated to the Apostle Thomas. Her relics have continued to be a source of great miracles of healing.   During his exile, St John Chrysostom wrote a number of letters to St Olympias, seventeen of which have been preserved through the centuries. In one he writes: 'Now I am deeply joyful, not only because you have been delivered from sickness, but even more because you are bearing adversities with such fortitude, calling them trifles — a characteristic of a soul filled with power and abounding in the rich fruits of courage. You are not only enduring misfortune with fortitude, but are making light of it in a seemingly effortless way, rejoicing and triumphing over it — this is a proof of the greatest wisdom.'

This episode Dr. Jenkins looks at the crucial and calamitous event that was the Papal legation to Constantinople in 1054, what it was (a sign of Rome's new jurisdictional claims), and what it wasn't (either the de facto or de jure beginning of the schism). https://tinyurl.com/OrthodoxRoadtoCollege

Fr. William Rock, FSSP serves as Parochial Vicar at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Nashua, New Hampshire. He was ordained in October of 2019 and serves as a regular contributor to the FSSP North America Missive Blog. In Today's Show: How can I safely wear a brown scapular at the beach? Is watching anime a sin? Is allowing an unmarried couple to share a bed a mortal sin? Why didn't Jesus give the ability to perform miracles to the Apostles' successors? Am I doing enough for my parish?  Should I be doing more? What is the difference between Thomistic predestination and Calvinist? Is there a biblical reference to God speaking about us in flight or fight reaction?  How should we handle it? How do we handle Sanctifying Sunday when travelling and not near a Latin parish? How do Catholics respond to claims that the 4th Council of Constantinople caused changes in the Nicene creed? How much can you spend on pet medical care without it being sinful? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Send a message to the JestersFour residents of Constantinople are accused of crimes they may or may not have commited and are given a choice; be thrust out into the wilderness with the monsters that roam out there, or go on a pilgrimage. Their choice will change their lives forever.Starring: Casey Reardib (The Chronicler), Rachel Kordell (Cyris Akropolites), Andrew Frost (Bortz), Ian (Valentine), Mozz (Sister Marula).Edit Team: Casey Reardon, Seth Coveyou, & Sky Swanson [SFX Artist]Shoutouts! Want to see the Jesters' Live? Tickets are onsale for our live show at Sip n' Play in Brooklyn https://square.link/u/Dn3CYLUkInterested in Danse Macabre? Check out their Kickstarter Prelaunch page here: stillfleet.com/danseksNeed more game modules? Check out https://hatdbuilder.com for some fantastic new content to bring to your games! Use the code 'RPJESTERS' for 20% off your order, and to support the show!Want some cool RP Jesters Merch? Check out our website https://rpjesters.com/pages/storeSupport the show directly and get hours of bonus content over at https://www.patreon.com/c/rpjesters/membershipIntro/Outro Music by Seth Coveyou.Additional Music by Josh StackhouseAdditional Music by Monument Studios and YouTube Audio Library.Game System: Danse MacabreSupport the showCheck our socials!

Mother Maria was born in Latvia in 1891. Like many of the pre-Revolutionary Russian intelligenstia, she was an atheist and a political radical in her youth, but gradually came to accept the truths of the Faith. After the Revolution, she became part of the large Russian emigre population of Paris. There she was tonsured as a nun by Metropolitan Evlogy, and devoted herself to a life of service to the poor. With a small community of fellow-believers, she established 'houses of hospitality' for the poor, the homeless, and the alcoholic, and visited Russian emigres in mental hospitals. In 1939 Metropolitan Evlogy sent the young priest Fr Dimitry to serve Mother Maria's community; he proved to be a partner, committed even unto death, in the community's work among the poor. When the Nazis took Paris in 1940, Mother Maria, Fr Dimitry, and others of the community chose to remain in the city to care for those who had come to count on them. As Nazi persecution of Jews in France increased, the Orthodox community's work naturally expanded to include protection and care of these most helpless ones. Father Dimitri was asked to provide forged certificates of baptism to preserve the lives of Jews, and always complied. Eventually, this work led to the arrest of Mother Maria, Fr Dimitri, and their associates. A fragment survives of the Gestapo's interrogation of Fr Dimitri:   Hoffman: If we release you, will you give your word never again to aid Jews?   Klepinin: I can say no such thing. I am a Christian and must act as I must. (Hoffman struck Klepinin across the face.)   Hoffman: Jew lover! How dare you talk of helping those swine as being a Christian duty! (Klepinin, recovering his balance, held up the cross from his cassock.)   Klepinin: Do you know this Jew? (For this, Father Dimitri was knocked to the floor.)   "Your priest did himself in," Hoffman said afterward to Sophia Pilenko. "He insists that if he were to be freed, he would act exactly as before."   Mother Maria, Fr Dimitri, and several of their colleages, were sent to the Nazi concentration camps (Mother Maria to Ravensbruck, Fr Dimitri to Buchenwald) where, after great sufferings, they perished. It is believed that Mother Maria's last act was to take the place of a Jew being sent to death, voluntarily dying in his place.   A full account of their life and death is given on the site of the Orthodox Peace Fellowship.   Mother Maria and her companions were glorified by the Patriarchate of Constantinople in 2004.

Called down from the mountainous badlands of Isauria to Constantinople by the Emperor Leo, Tarasis son of Kodissa, later known as Zeno, would have to preserve the independence of the emperors of the East. Later he would serve as one of those emperors, and as the West fell, he would be challenged to chart a path for the East, so it would not share the same fate.

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So, we're starting the final season in this podcast which is on the Dark Ages. But just how dark were they? One of the main themes of this new season will be to show the striking diversity of experience within western Eurasia and North Africa during the period from AD 700 to 1000 since, while the Dark Ages were, in my view, very dark for most of Europe, outside Europe, in the Middle East and North Africa, the period after the fall of the Roman Empire wasn't necessarily that dark. The Dark Ages has become a Euro-centric term for the collapse of Roman civilization in Europe, but of course one of the key things about the Roman Empire was it wasn't just European. We must remember that Rome was essentially a Mediterranean empire which extended into three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa.And in Asia and Africa, the period that we in Europe call the Dark Ages was far from dark especially if you were a Muslim since the Islamic caliphates – the Umayyad and then the Abbasid – continued the astonishing rise of Islam after the death of Muhammad. In episode 113, we heard how, at the eastern end of Europe, the Byzantine emperor Leo III defeated an Arab army at the gates of Constantinople in the cold winter of 717/718. This was a turning point in history since it marked the first major setback for the Arabs.But what about the west? And that's where we turn to in this and the next few episodes as the Arabs launch a huge offensive, first, into Visigothic Spain, and then into the heartland of Frankish Gaul or modern-day France.For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.comFind my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', Die römische Revolution, on Amazon.de. Finally check out my new YouTube videos on the fall of the Roman Empire.

In the 6th century, the Roman Empire was split and its future hung in the balance.Emperor Justinian dreamed of restoring it to its former glory. That was until the first great plague devastated Constantinople.Thousands died, bodies were piled in the streets - even the Emperor fell ill.How did this effect ambitions to restore the Empire to its former glory? And how did citizens react to this deadly disease?Joining Anthony and Maddy is Kyle Harper, historian and author of The Fate of Rome: Climate, Disease. Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Stuart Beckwith. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.Please vote for us for Listeners' Choice at the British Podcast Awards! Follow this link, and don't forget to confirm the email. Thank you!You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhitSign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.

Mehmed II becomes Sultan in 1451 and immediately makes plans to conquer Constantinople.Period: 1448-53 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Saint Olga, renowned for her wisdom and sobriety, in her youth became the wife of Igor, Great Prince of Kiev, who ruled during the tenth century. After her husband's death, she herself ruled capably, and was finally moved to accept the Faith of Christ. She travelled to Constantinople to receive Holy Baptism. The Emperor, seeing her outward beauty and inward greatness, asked her to marry him. She said she could not do this before she was baptized; she furthermore asked him to be her Godfather at the font, which he agreed to do. After she was baptized (receiving the name of Helen), the Emperor repeated his proposal of marriage. She answered that now he was her father, through Holy Baptism, and that not even among the heathen was it heard of a man marrying his daughter. Gracefully accepting to be outwitted by her, he sent her back to her land with priests and sacred texts and holy icons. Although her son Svyatoslav remained a pagan, she planted the seed of faith in her grandson Vladimir (see July 15). She reposed in peace in 969." (Great Horologion)

Born in Trebizond, he was educated in Constantinople, then entered into ascetic life. Seeking greater reclusion, he went to the Holy Mountain to live in silence. But many others gathered around him, and in time he was forced to build the monastery known as the Great Lavra. As construction was being planned, he beheld the Mother of God, who miraculously brought forth water from a rock near the site, and promised him that she would be the abbess of his monastery. He died when the newly-constructed dome of the monastery collapsed while he and six of his brethren were working on it.

"Born in Asia and educated in Constantinople, he went into the army after completing his studies and became an officer. Reading the Holy Scriptures, he came upon the Saviour's words: 'If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell all thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come and follow Me' (Matt. 19:21). These words made such an impression on him that he sold and gave away all that he had, and went off to the desert. After long asceticism and striving for purification, he founded the community of the 'Wakeful Ones' (Acoemetae) with a special rule. According to this rule, the services in the church continued day and night in unbroken sequence. The brethren were divided into six groups, each having its appointed hours of day or night to go to church and take over the reading and singing from the previous group. He travelled a great deal over the East, bringing people to faith in Christ, disputing with heretics, working miracles by God's grace and growing old in the service of the Lord Jesus. He finished his earthly course in Constantinople in the year 430, where his relics revealed the miraculous power and glory with which God had glorified His holy servant." (Prologue)