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Light Through the Past

Light Through the Past

216 episodes — Page 1 of 5

Florence and Purgatory. An Introduction

May 14, 2026

Florence and the Filioque

May 7, 2026

St. Mark of Ephesus and Latin Theology

Apr 30, 2026

Making Sense of the Council of Florence

Apr 23, 2026

From Constance to Florence

Apr 16, 2026

A Eucharistic Divertimento

Apr 9, 2026

The Rise of Conciliarism

At the beginning of the 15th century the doctrine that the council stood over the pope dominated the Latin Church, and its ascendence provided a necessary ingredient for the coming council of Florence. Dr. Jenkins takes this episode to explain this movement. https://tinyurl.com/FrDamickDrMoritz

Apr 2, 2026

Blaspheming, Sword-wielding Monks: The Knights Templar and the Council of Florence

In this episode Dr. Jenkins continues the long strange trip through maze of Latin church history that brings us to the Council of Florence, by looking at the trial of the Templars, an element without which Florence as it happened would not have occurred. https://tinyurl.com/FrDamickDrMoritz

Mar 26, 2026

Intro to the Council of Florence: A Pope so Important even the Bees Love Him

The long journey of the Council of Florence begins with imperious popes, corrupt Italian families, and conniving French lawyers. It ends with the Catholics going from demanding submission to the pope, to allowing a debate of the issues dividng the Church. St. Basil Society Lectures: https://tinyurl.com/FrDamickDrMoritz

Mar 19, 2026

The Faith of the Orthodox, the Faith of Blachernae

This episode Dr. Jenkins finishes looking at the tumultuous 25 years that followed the retaking of Constantinople, examining the Council of Blachernae’s decision on how the Spirit proceeds “through the Son," and what this entails for the Nicene doctrine of the Trinity.

Mar 12, 2026

Cleaning Up Michael VIII's Mess: The Council of Blachernae, part 1

Michael VIII's death found the Byzantine empire secured from its enemies, but theologically and ecclesiastically in confusion on all sides. This episode looks at the task that awaited Patriarch Gregory II as he began cleaning up the late emperor's madness.

Mar 5, 2026

The Aftermath of the Council of Lyons

From mutilations to executions, Michael VIII violently imposed the Union of Lyons, while at the same time successive popes raised demands on the Orthodox, while Charles of Anjou waited in the background.

Feb 26, 2026

The Political Union of Lyons

Prof. Jenkins continues his look at the course of the Schism, focusing specifically on the events surrounding the Council of Lyons in 1274, and how the whole affair was driven by political considerations on the part of the emperor, Michael VIII Palaeologos.

Feb 19, 2026

Michael VIII Palaeologos and the Byzantine Dilemma

In this episode Dr. Jenkins unpacks the perilous aftermath of the Byzantine reconquest of Constantinople, and the extreme ecclesiastical length's the emperor was willing to take to secure the Empire's safety.

Feb 12, 2026

The Consequences of the Sack of Constantinople

In this episode Dr. Jenkins looks at the political implications of sack of Constantinople in 1204 (implications never far removed from the questions of Church history nor the life of the Church).

Feb 5, 2026

The Fourth Crusade

In this episode Dr. Jenkins covers the details of the 4th Crusade, how it happened to be diverted from its original destination, and how it happened that the city was sacked and pillaged by the army of the 4th Crusade. Fr. Deacon Corrado's lecture on the Shroud of Turin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5glqEGO5cM Basilian Media & Publishing: https://basilianmedia.org/

Jan 29, 2026

A Prelude to the 4th Crusade

As Dr. Jenkins continues looking at the Schism between Greek East and Latin West, he picks up with the perhaps the most dramatic event in the history of the two communions, the sack of Constantinople by the armies of the 4th Crusade. This event and its long sequel shall dominate the podcast for the next several weeks.

Jan 22, 2026

The Tension between the Churches in the 12th Century

This episode Dr. Jenkins looks at the worsening situation between the Orthodox East and the Latin West, comparing the witness of one tenth-century Latin bishop, critical in its own right, with a more vitriolic work by a twelfth-century French monk. For the most recent issue of The Rule of Faith: tinyurl.com/Rule6-2 For the essay mentioned by Prof. Siecienski: https://tinyurl.com/Union-Siecienski

Jan 15, 2026

Anselm of Havelberg and Church Unity

This week Dr. Jenkins's look at the schism takes us to a disputation on Constantinople in 1135, one that reveals real differences between the Orthodox and the Latins, but one which also reveals a good bit of cordiality and amity, seeking a way forward to overcome differences. For the latest issue of Rule of Faith: ttps://tinyurl.com/Rule6-2

Jan 8, 2026

St. Leo the Great, Pope St. Nicholas, and Answering a Philosophical Question

This episode Dr. Jenkins returns one last time to the question of the powers and prerogatives of the bishop of Rome, revisiting some matters as regards St. Leo I, but then looking again at pope St. Nicholas, before turning at last to a question from a former student.

Jan 1, 2026

"Lies! All Lies" The Symmachian and Pseudo-Isidorian Decretals in the Formation of Papal Dogma

This week Dr. Jenkins continues his study of the growth of the papacy, looking at the context of a few notable frauds and forgeries that nonetheless play a key role in the formation of the doctrines of the Papal Primacy.

Dec 25, 2025

St. Photios, the Mystagoge, and the Council of 879

This week Dr. Jenkins ends his look at St. Photios's thought on the Filioque by speaking about both his Mystagoge of the Holy Spirit and the council of 879.

Dec 18, 2025

St. Photios and the Filioque: An Introduction

This week we continue looking at matter of the Schism, and in particular the theological and philosophical underpinings of the doctrine laid bare first by St. Photios, patriarch of Constantinople.

Dec 13, 2025

Persecuted Monastics and Imperial Factions

This week Dr. Jenkins returns to the question of the Schism, but focusing again on the questions surrounding the Patriarchates of St. Ignatios and St. Photios, and the papacy of Nicholas I.

Dec 4, 2025

Pope St. Leo the Great as Legal Heir of St. Peter

In this issue Dr. Jenkins returns to the question of the powers and prerogatives of the pope, and what this has to do with the Schism.

Nov 27, 2025

An Episode 1700 Years in the Making 4

This episode Dr. Jenkins concludes his series on the Council of Nicaea and its implications for the Orthodox Church.

Nov 20, 2025

An Episode 1700 Years in the Making, Part 3

This week Dr. Jenkins continues his detour, discussing the significance of the Council of Nicaea. Fr. Deacon Patrick Mitchell's recent book: https://tinyurl.com/christtruth

Nov 13, 2025

Nicaea: A Podcast 1700 Years in the Making, Part 2

This week Dr. Jenkins continues his peregrinations on the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, addressing the theological implications of Nicaea for the Orthodox way of thinking about theology. Dr. Jenkins book: http://tinyurl.com/DragonsAngelsSaints

Nov 6, 2025

An Episode 1700 Years in the Making

Dr. Jenkins takes a detour from discussing pope St. Leo I to discuss the significance of the Council of Nicaea, on this its 1700th birthday, for the history of the Orthodox Church.

Oct 30, 2025

Pope St. Leo the Great: An Introduction

This week Dr. Jenkins shifts the discussion about the development of the claims of the medieval papacy to the important figure of Pope St. Leo I, the fifth-century pope remembered for his famous Tome that shaped the Christology of the Council of Chalcedon.

Oct 23, 2025

Pope St. Julius, St. Athanasius, and the Council of Sardica

St. Athanasios appealed his deposition at the hands of the Arians to Pope St. Julius and the Apostolikos Thronos. What exactly did St. Athanasius believe this appeal entailed as regards the power of the papacy, and what can his appeal tell us about how we Orthodox should think about the rightly ordered authority of St. Peter’s heirs?

Oct 16, 2025

To Baptize or Not to Baptize: A 3rd Century Test between Saints

This episode Dr. Jenkins examines the clash between St. Cyprian of Carthage and St. Stephen of Rome. This confrontation brought to the fore the 3rd century's understanding of not only the extent of papal power, but also the question of the origin of the episcopate and the episcopal office. https://tinyurl.com/OrthEd2025

Oct 9, 2025

Pope St. Victor Again, and a "Touching" Reminiscence

This week Dr. Jenkins again looks at the incident of St. Victor and his clash with the Quartodecimans and St. Irenaeus of Lyons, along with a divertimento about the Touchstone Conference. Orthodoxy & Education: https://tinyurl.com/OrthEd2025 https://tinyurl.com/ChristasTruth https://tinyurl.com/sundoesnotshine

Oct 2, 2025

St. Irenaeus and the Bishop of Rome

This week Dr. Jenkins continues his discussion of the papacy in the early church, looking specifically at St. Irenaeus and his confrontation with pope St. Victor over his confrontation with the Churches in western Asia Minor. Orthodoxy & Education: https://tinyurl.com/OrthEd2025 https://tinyurl.com/ChristasTruth https://tinyurl.com/sundoesnotshine

Sep 25, 2025

St. Peter and the First 2 Centuries of the Church

Continuing the discussion of the development of the office of the Papacy, this week Dr. Jenkins looks at St. Peter and the office of the pope in the first two centuries of the life of the Church. https://tinyurl.com/ChristasTruth https://tinyurl.com/sundoesnotshine Orthodoxy & Education: https://tinyurl.com/OrthEd2025

Sep 18, 2025

St. Peter in the Book of Acts

This episode Dr. Jenkins continues to look at St. Peter's place in the New Testament, and how this status can shed light on how we should think about the St. Peter's successors in Rome. For the new books from Basilian Media & Publishing: https://tinyurl.com/ChristasTruth https://tinyurl.com/sundoesnotshine Orthodoxy & Education: https://tinyurl.com/OrthEd2025

Sep 11, 2025

St. Peter's Primacy in the Gospels

In this episode Dr. Jenkins continues his look at the office of the Bishop of Rome by examining the Primacy of Peter and what the four Gospels have to say about his authority.

Sep 4, 2025

The Authority of the Pope & the Schism: An Introduction

The week Dr. Jenkins shifts gears in his discussion of the Schism to offer an introduction to the office and function of the bishop of Rome. For the Orthodoxy and Education Conference: https://tinyurl.com/OrthEd2025.

Aug 28, 2025

Anslem of Bec and the Filioque

Dr. Jenkins continues his discussion of the schism between the Orthodox and Latins, focusing this week on Anselm of Bec and Canterbury and his treatise on the Holy Spirit, and how this became the basis for so much of later Latin theology on the subject. For the Orthodoxy and Education Conference: https://tinyurl.com/OrthEd2025

Aug 21, 2025

A Record of Errors

This week Dr. Jenkins looks at the errors and misunderstandings that plagued by Rome and Michael Kerularius, and thus we examine both Humbert's Bull of Excommunication against the Patriarch, but also Peter of Antioch's reprimand of Kerularios for his own misunderstandings of the Latins. For the Orthodoxy and Education Conference: https://tinyurl.com/OrthEd2025

Aug 14, 2025

1054 and All That

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

Jul 24, 2025

Revolution in Eleventh-Century Rome

This episode Dr. Jenkins looks into the events and movements in the Latin world that lay the foundation for the claims of the late-medieval Roman popes, and how the two questions of the filioque and the powers of the pope became intertwined. Still Points https://tinyurl.com/StillPoints From the Morning Watch https://tinyurl.com/HaikuPsalms

Jul 17, 2025

The Dissonant Theology of the Latin West on the Spirit

Dr. Jenkins continues his discussion on the history of the Filioque by looking at the responses of the Latin west to the accusation leveled against it by St. Photios. What emerges are two responses, with one marking the future of Western theology, and the other a road pointed to by St. Maximos the Confessor, but untraveled. https://tinyurl.com/Doxamoot2025 https://tinyurl.com/OrthEd2025

Jul 10, 2025

A Clash of Titans: The confrontation of Pope St. Nicholas and Patriarch St. Photios

In this episode Dr. Jenkins looks at the conflict between St. Photios the Great and Pope St. Nicholas, a confrontation that touched the question of the Filioque, but involved so much more, even scandalously so. https://tinyurl.com/Doxamoot2025 https://tinyurl.com/OrthEd2025 Byzantine course: https://tinyurl.com/LuxchristiByzantium Still Points: https://tinyurl.com/StillPoints

Jul 3, 2025

Shambolic Theology and Ecclesiastical Mayhem

This week Dr. Jenkins completes the discussion of the Frankish kingdom's descent into theological error (and the Pope's reprimand of them for it), and transitions to a key moment in Byzantine history which will bring East and West into conflict, and with it the first real disputes about the filioque. https://tinyurl.com/Doxamoot2025 https://tinyurl.com/OrthEd2025 Byzantine course: https://tinyurl.com/LuxchristiByzantium Still Points: https://tinyurl.com/StillPoints

Jun 26, 2025

The 8th-Century Politics of the Filioque

In this episode Dr.Jenkins looks at how the politics of the Germanic peoples and their posture towards the Byzantine empire play into not only the question of the filioque, but the Schism itself. https://tinyurl.com/Doxamoot2025 https://tinyurl.com/OrthEd2025 Byzantine course: https://tinyurl.com/LuxchristiByzantium Still Points: https://tinyurl.com/StillPoints

Jun 19, 2025

St. Maximos the Confessor and the Filioque

Continuing his discussion of the schism, and the filioque's contribution to it, Dr. Jenkins this week looks at St. Maximos the Confessor (580-662). St. Maximos shows that in the 640s the Latins did not confess what would later be their doctrine, that the Spirit's person eternally procedes from the Son as He does also from the Father. https://tinyurl.com/Doxamoot2025 https://tinyurl.com/OrthEd2025 Byzantine course: https://tinyurl.com/LuxchristiByzantium Still Points: https://tinyurl.com/StillPoints Next issue of Rule of Faith: https://tinyurl.com/RuleofFaith6-1

Jun 12, 2025

The Council of Toledo

This week Dr. Jenkins examines the council of Toledo of 589, and how the filioque first appeared within the creed, and within the doctrinal standards off the western church. https://tinyurl.com/Doxamoot2025 https://tinyurl.com/OrthEd2025 Byzantine course: https://tinyurl.com/LuxchristiByzantium Next issue of Rule of Faith: https://tinyurl.com/RuleofFaith6-1

Jun 5, 2025

The Filioque between St. Augustine and the Council of Toledo (589)

This episode Dr. Jenkins looks at the 5th and 6th centuries, the period after St. Augustine (d. 430), wherein the Latin west nearly unanimously embraced doctrine of the double procession of the Holy Spirit. But this confession came with no real theological explanation about what exactly this meant. https://tinyurl.com/Doxamoot2025 https://tinyurl.com/OrthEd2025 Byzantine course: https://tinyurl.com/LuxchristiByzantium Next issue of Rule of Faith: https://tinyurl.com/RuleofFaith6-1

May 29, 2025

The Western Origins of the Filioque

This episode Dr. Jenkins begins untangling how the filioque arose in the West. It is a long, strange trip. https://tinyurl.com/Doxamoot2025 https://tinyurl.com/OrthEd2025 Byzantine course: https://tinyurl.com/LuxchristiByzantium To subscribe to The Rule of Faith: https://stbasilcotc.org/journal/

May 22, 2025