Episode 2: The Emperor’s 6 Questions, “St Gregory Palamas: An Introduction.”

Send us Fan MailEpisode 2: The Emperor’s 6 QuestionsThe second episode in this series of presentations discusses the 3rd Hesychast Council of 1351, with St. Gregory championing the Orthodox Faith against the philosophical theology of Nicephorus Gregoras, the Christian Roman Empire’s leading intellectual of this period. Gregoras is the third and most formidable theological opponent of Palamas.Themes covered in this 2nd Episode include bishops’ confession of faith at consecration, iconography, the distinction between “God” and “Godhead”, and the six questions posed by Emperor John VI Cantacuzenus at the Council of 1351.Q&As related to Episode 2 available in The Professor’s Blog: https://mountthabor.com/blogs/the-professors-blogRecommended background reading: Christopher Veniamin, ed., Saint Gregory Palamas: The Homilies (Dalton PA: 2022).TIMESTAMPS00:00 The Council of 135100:44 Nicephorus Gregoras 01:15 Two Issues: Addition to Bishops’ Confession and Iconoclasm of the Hesychasts06:07 Iconography 06:41 Theophanes the Greek 11:45 Main topic of Council “God” and “Godhead” or “Divinity”13:34 Accusation of Ditheism and Polytheism 13:44 Tomos and Synodicon 15:09 “Antilogia” and “Homologia”17:50 “Another Synod”, 5th Session 19:43 The Emperor’s 6 Questions20:13 Question 1: Validity of Distinction 20:28 Question 2: Divine Energy created / uncreated20:51 Question 3: Simplicity of God22:00 Question 4: Meaning of “Theotes”23:35 Question 5: Divine Energy is God Himself25:25 Question 6: Our Participation in God26:02 Conclusion It is hoped that these presentations will help the enquirer discern the profound interrelationship between Orthodox theology and the Orthodox Christian life, and to identify the ascetic and pastoral significance of the Orthodox ethos contained therein. Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community. Support the showIf you enjoy our podcast, consider supporting our The Mount Thabor Academy Patreon page, to unlock exclusive, member-only content.Print Books by MOUNT THABOR PUBLISHINGeBooks Amazon Kindle Contact us: [email protected]. Christopher Veniamin D.Phil. (Oxon.)