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

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Episode 2: The Emperor’s 6 Questions

The 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-blog

Recommended background reading: Christopher Veniamin, ed., Saint Gregory Palamas: The Homilies(Dalton PA: 2022).

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 The Council of 1351

00:44 Nicephorus Gregoras 

01:15 Two Issues: Addition to Bishops’ Confession and Iconoclasm of the Hesychasts

06:07 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 Questions

20:13 Question 1: Validity of Distinction 

20:28 Question 2: Divine Energy created / uncreated

20:51 Question 3: Simplicity of God

22:00 Question 4: Meaning of “Theotes”

23:35 Question 5: Divine Energy is God Himself

25:25 Question 6: Our Participation in God

26:02 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. 

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Dr. Christopher Veniamin D.Phil. (Oxon.)