Theodosius once again unites the Eastern and Western halves of the Roman Empire after defeating the armies of Arbogast and Eugenius. Having looked at the relationship of Christianity to Judaism and Paganism, we turn our attention to the problem of heresy and the work of Epiphanius of Salamis.
Links:
A copy of the Missiorium of Theodosius
Map of Roman Empire in 395 after Death of Theodosius
Ambrose
Letter to Emperor Eugenius
Letter to Emperor Theodosius after Battle of Frigidius
Funeral Oration of Theodosius
The Panarion of Epiphanius of Salamis
Book One, Books Two and Three
Excerpts
Michele Renee Salzman. “Ambrose and the Usurpation of Arbogastes and Eugenius: Reflections on Pagan-Christian Conflict Narratives.” Journal of Early Christian Studies 18, no. 2 (2010): 191-223.
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#388 – A History of the Catholic Church – Theodosius Triumphant
February 17, 2017 – 8:00 pm
The rise of the ascetical movement brought with it the rise of the debate over the relative virtue of marriage versus celibacy. This debate became even more intense as the number of ascetics rapidly expanded in the fourth century and Virgins move to occupy an important position in the life of the Church.
Links:
Saint Piamun and her mother in an Egyptian village by Charles-Antoine Coypel
Tertullian On Exhortation to Chastity
Cyprian of Carthage On the Dress of Virgins
Gregory of Nyssa On Virginity
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#377 – A History of the Catholic Church – Brides of Christ
The History of Religions and the Chronology Theory attempt to explain why Christians in the Roman Empire began to celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25th and whether there is a relationship between the celebration of the birth of Christ and the pagan celebration of the birth of Sol Invictus. The origins of Christmas and Epiphany are somewhat murky, but do shed light on the life of early Christians.
Links:
Image: Image of the Adoration of the Magi from 4th century sarcophagus
History of Religions Theory presented by Joseph F. Kelly in “The Birth of Christmas”
The Calculation Theory presented by Andrew McGowan in “How December 25 Became Christmas”.
Pope Benedict presents his support of the Calculation Theory in “The Spirit of the Liturgy” pp. 107-109.
Kurt Simmons in The Origins of Christmas and the Date of Christ’s Birth argues against both the History of Religions and Calculation theories – instead asserting that Biblical and historical evidence show likelihood of 25th of December date for Christ’s birth.
Susan K. Roll, “Towards the Origins of Christmas”, 1995.
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Check out the other great Catholic podcasts at the Starquest Production Network
To listen, just click on the link below:
#329 – A History of the Catholic Church – The Manifestation of our Lord
