Imperial Church: Recent Episodes
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The collapse of imperial power in the West posed new challenges for the Popes of Rome who struggled to maintain control. Meanwhile, in the East, the conflict over the Council of Chalcedon heated up once more with the arrival of Peter the Fuller. Links: Image of Pope Hilarius Peter the Fuller, Patriarch of Antioch Fr. […]
The clergy of the Church had roles and responsibilities beyond the sacramental. As Augustine noted, the “bishop’s burden” included participation in civil society as well. With an increased political role came increased power and an increased opportunity for corruption. Links: Mosaic of the North African Bishop Quodvulteus Geoffrey D. Dunn, “The Clerical Cursus Honorum in […]
As the Church grew, so did the number of the saints and so did the diversity of their stories. The beginnings of the fifth century also saw increased devotion to Mary and new ways of showing one’s appreciation for the saints. Plus, Peter Chrysologus and Patrick of Ireland. Links: Photo of ampulla from Shrine of […]
In this episode, we look at changes in the Church’s liturgical and sacramental practice in the first half of the 5th century – how the church of Rome used liturgy to promote unity and Augustine’s problem with a congregant over liturgical innovation [on Augustine’s part]. We finish with an examination of the developing understanding of […]
The increasing dominance of the Catholic Church over its rivals was revealed in the legislation of the Roman Empire and in the violence of monks against pagans, Jews, and heretics. Indeed, by the mid-5th century, we find a growing willingness to punish theological differences with the highest penalties. Links: Photo of Santa Sabina with pillars […]
The complex interaction between Catholic teaching and the historic traditions of the Greco-Roman tradition on the particular issues of slavery and the treatment of the poor are the focus of this episode and help us to see the how Christianity affected and was affected by the surrounding culture. Links: Photo of mosaic of two Roman […]
The first half of the 5th century sees significant changes in Christian artistic representation of Christ and the Virgin Mary in response to the growing power of the Church and the recent controversy over Mary as the Mother of God. Church construction also underwent some important developments both in terms of placement and architecture. Links: […]
Augustine tells us how music should be composed and appreciated, as well as letting us know his favorite hymn. Synesius of Cyrene, Sedulius, Mesrop Mashtots and Maruthas of Martyropolis give us examples of music appreciated by Christians both inside and outside the Roman Empire. Links: Image of hymn A solis ortus cardine. Article on Augustine’s […]
The poetry of Empress Eudocia and Paulinus of Nola revealed the tensions that existed in a culture that both praised and rejected the literary works of the past – those of Homer and Virgil. For Eudocia and Paulinus, the examples of the great pagan poets of yesterday could be used to praise Christ in the […]
Throughout the Christological Controversy, monastics played an important role. While many monks, especially in Egypt, supported Mono/Miaphysitism, there were also important communities defending Chalcedon – such as the Maronite community in Syria. In the West, Eastern monasticism will influence the development of monastic communities in Gaul as monks sought to replicate the Egyptian desert experience […]
Political instability continues in the West as one emperor follows another. In the East, Emperor Leo I tries to find a way out of the controversy over Chalcedon but has problems with Timothy II of Alexandria, also known as Timothy the Cat. We finish the episode with a look at how Christians outside the Roman […]
The growing division between the Mono/Miaphysites and the Chalcedonians causes significant problems for the Eastern Empire, especially in Palestine and Egypt. In the West, Emperor Valentinian III is assassinated and Pope Leo I tries to keep the Vandals from destroying Rome. Links: Painting of Genseric sacking Rome by Bryullov. Leo I’s letter to the monks […]
The conclusion of the Council of Chalcedon left the church divided – Rome vs. Constantinople and Chalcedonian vs. Miaphysite. These conflicts will influnce the future course of Christianity for the next three hundred years. We take a look at the Christological divisions after Chalcedon. Links: Painting of The Meeting between Leo the Great and Attila […]
Chalcedon was intended to unite the Church, but – in many ways – the Church is more divided after Chalcedon than it had been before. Constantinople and Rome are divided over the place of Constantinople in the ecclesiastical hierarchy. The Church of Egypt refuses to accept the Tome of Leo and the Definition of Chalcedon. […]
The Council of Chalcedon continues and with it continue conflicts over Christology and Roman authority. The bishops of Chalcedon put forward a new statement of faith in the hopes of unifying the Church. Links: Painting of the Council of Chalcedon by Andreevartstudio The Definition of Chalcedon Check out the other great Catholic podcasts at the […]
The Council of Chalcedon begins with a broadside against Pope Dioscorus of Alexandria. The Tome of Leo is accepted. Marcian and Pulcheria hope Chalcedon will be result in universal agreement, but future troubles are seen. Links: Painting of the Council of Chalcedon by Vasily Surikov Extensive documentation on the Council of Chalcedon/Fourth Ecumenical Council Leo’s […]
The Eastern Empire finds itself in political and religious turmoil after the death of Emperor Theodosius II and Pope Leo I of Rome takes the opportunity to assert himself and obtain the universal acceptance of his Tome. Links: Image of Emperor Marcian Map of the Roman Empire in 450 AD Check out the other great […]
At the Second Council of Ephesus, Pope Dioscorus of Alexandria and his One Nature Christology emerges triumphant. The Two-Nature Christology of the Antiochenes is condemned and Pope Leo I of Rome finds himself powerless to stop it. Links: Image of the martyrdom of Flavian of Constantinople from the “Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints” by […]
Pope Leo I of Rome assembles a text presenting the Christology of the West in the hopes of putting an end to the controversy once and for all. However, in the East, Pope Dioscorus of Alexandria has his own plans. Links: Photo of Statue of Pope Leo I taken by Mattana Selections from Tertullian on […]
In Constantinople, the Christological Controversy erupts once again as sides are formed over the case of Eutyches. Each seeking to gain the support of Emperor Theodosius and Pope Leo against their rivals. Links: Image of Flavian of Constantinople taken by Siriopomante Letter of Eutyches to Leo about the Synod of Constantinople Leo’s letter to Flavian […]
Pope Leo has problems with Illyricum. In the East, the sees of Constantinople, Alexandria, and Antioch find themselves under new management – but the conflict over the theology of Christ continues. Links: Icon of Pope Dioscorus of Alexandria. Letter of Leo to Anastasius Letter of Leo to Eutyches Theodoret of Cyrus’ Eranistes Alleged letter of […]
Pope Leo finds that the collapse of the Western Roman Empire makes it more difficult for him to assert his authority in Gaul, Hispaniae and Northern Africa. Yet, the support of Emperor Valentinian III provides a strong boost to Leo in those lands still under imperial control. Links: Icon of Leo the Great. Photo by […]
Pope Leo the Great seeks to exercise his authority over the Church of Italy to ensure right practice and right doctrine – particularly in struggles against resurgent Manicheanism and Pelagianism. Links: Icon of Leo the Great. Leo on prohibiting episcopal ordination to slaves on serfs Leo the the bishops of Sicily on baptism Leo on […]
In the West, Carthage falls under the Vandals and Pope Sixtus III tries to hold onto control of his territory. In the East, the conflict between Alexandria and Antioch heats up again as Cyril and his allies turn against the memory of Theodore of Mopsuestia and Diodore of Tarsus. Armenia moves toward Cyrillian theology and […]
The Christian Church struggles in North Africa as it finds itself facing a resurgent Vandal Arianism. In Ireland, the mission of Palladius seeks to shore up the faith against paganism and Pelagianism. Links: Image of Irish Pillar Stone. Photo taken by Jibi44 The Rediscovery of Irish Christianity Ó Cróinín (2000). “Who was Palladius ‘First Bishop […]