Exploring the Tolkien Legendarium with the Christian Faith - Join Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, Richard Rohlin and their guest co-hosts as they explore the life, works and Middle-earth legendarium of author J. R. R. Tolkien, informed by the Orthodox Christian faith.
…
continue reading
Jonathan Pageau looks at symbolism in all its forms, from its source in sacred stories and images to contemporary culture and ultimately how it shapes the world we encounter.
…
continue reading
An Orthodox Christian Pilgrimage in Lithuania
…
continue reading
This is an interview podcast where I cover a range of topics with a variety of experts. Hoping to cultivate curiosity and connection. “The greatest privilege of a human life is to become a midwife to the awakening of the Soul in another person.”
…
continue reading
1
339 - Richard Rohlin - Universal History: The Greatest Work of Western Literature
1:02:17
1:02:17
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:17
In this week’s episode of Universal History, Richard Rohlin and I give an introduction to Dante’s Divine Comedy, discussing its historical and political context, Dante’s motivations and his point of view, and why the Comedia is the greatest work of Western literature. Join us for the first course on the Divine Comedy, starting May 8th. Dante’s Infe…
…
continue reading
1
342 - Paul Kingsnorth - Becoming Gods Without God
1:05:13
1:05:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:05:13
In this conversation with Paul Kingsnorth, we discuss his main takeaways from his Substack series on The Machine, technology, artificial intelligence and silicon valley, civilization, principalities, the act of creation and desiring to be God, yet also creating the space for our annihilation. We also touch on environmentalism, storytelling, and art…
…
continue reading
1
341 - The Last Judgement: The Culmination of Christian Symbolism
1:18:05
1:18:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:18:05
This is a talk I gave for Ralston College on the Icon of the Last Judgement, exploring Orthodox Christian imagery to understand ontology, theology, and how identity, symbolism, and fractals work in the medieval worldview. Youtube version: https://youtu.be/APFPO4LXFIs Ralston College website: https://www.ralston.ac/ Ralston College: Rethinking the L…
…
continue reading
This talk took place in April 2024 at the Maliotis Cultural Center, hosted by Hellenic College Holy Cross with Dr. Timothy Patitsas. In this talk, I take you through all the icons of Holy Week from Palm Sunday to the Anastasis, the icon of the Resurrection of Christ. Original YouTube video: https://youtu.be/vFW5nYC4CcM Hellenic College Holy Cross: …
…
continue reading
Dr. Cyril Jenkins joins Fr. Andrew for a reading of Tolkien’s short story “Leaf by Niggle.” Is this really an allegory? What does it say about this life and the life of the age to come? Why did Tolkien write this story?By Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick and Ancient Faith Radio
…
continue reading
1
338 - Richard Rohlin - Universal History: The End of Babel
1:11:30
1:11:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:11:30
This is part two of our discussion about the Tower of Babel in the context of Universal History. Richard Rohlin and I recap and continue our discussion on the Book of Jubilees and Pentecost, discussing more in-depth the Feast of First Fruits, and what it means as a structure by which communion between heaven and earth can be facilitated - of unity …
…
continue reading
1
337 - How to Survive the End of a World - A Parable of Christ
15:24
15:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
15:24
This video will premiere tomorrow, Saturday, April 13th at 10 am EST. In this short reflection, I will explain the parable of Jesus that’s the most difficult to understand, the Parable of the Penitent Steward, or the Unjust Steward. Recently I teamed up with Jordan Peterson, Daily Wire, and the same panel of the Exodus series, this time to film a s…
…
continue reading
1
100 - There’s (No) Religion in Middle-earth
2:27:19
2:27:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:27:19
After 99 episodes of talking about how to interpret Tolkien’s works in religious and specifically Orthodox Christian terms, in Episode 100 Fr. Andrew and Richard talk about all that religion that really is in Middle-earth. Because actually it really is in there – prayer, worship, invocation of saints, etc. The episode wraps up with a big announceme…
…
continue reading
1
336 - Timothy Patitsas - The Vital Sign of Beauty
1:06:13
1:06:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:06:13
This is my second interview with Timothy Patitsas on the topic of beauty. We also discuss filmmaking, the work of Dr. Iain Mcgilchrist, liturgy, self-sacrifice, and social renewal as part of the fruits of a beautiful life. Timothy G. Patitsas has been the Interim Dean of Hellenic College since January of 2020 and the Assistant Professor of Ethics a…
…
continue reading
1
335 - Justin Brierley - The Next Great Renewal
52:59
52:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:59
I had the opportunity to sit down with Justin Brierley to talk about Christian apologetics, the state of public discussions about faith, new converts, the identity crisis, and the rise of the “Christian atheist” with figures like Tom Holland, Jordan Peterson, and Ayaan Hirsi Ali intellectually aligning themselves with Christianity. Justin Brierley …
…
continue reading
1
099 - Lenten Meditation: How to Save the Shire
51:44
51:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
51:44
Richard Rohlin returns from his travels and travails with a lenten meditation on food and song, bacon and eggs, and the love of home.By Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick and Ancient Faith Radio
…
continue reading
1
334 - Aidan Hart - A New Image of Everything
53:56
53:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
53:56
In this dialogue with the amazing artist and iconographer, Aidan Hart, we discuss an image he has been developing depicting the New Jerusalem. This cosmic image shows many fractal relationships, including the Garden of Eden, the role and destiny of mankind, heaven, earth, and all of creation. It’s a beautiful synthesis presenting the positive aspec…
…
continue reading
1
333 - John Vervaeke, DC Schindler, Ken Lowry - The Ontology of Artificial Intelligence
1:59:22
1:59:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:59:22
This is a discussion that Ken Lowry kindly organized on his YouTube channel and podcast, Climbing Mt. Sophia. The panel includes me, John Vervaeke and DC Schindler. We talk about the ontology of artificial intelligence from different perspectives: the scientific, philosophical, and spiritual or theological perspectives. Follow the Climbing Mt. Soph…
…
continue reading
In this podcast, I give you a sneak peek into some of what we are doing with GodsDog and the Garments of Skin comic, while also sharing my very first experience encountering the idea of the garments of skin in the apocryphal Book of Jasher. This was monumental not just for what would later become GodsDog, but it was also part of what drew me to Hol…
…
continue reading
1
331 - Richard Rohlin - Universal History: The Tower of Babel
59:52
59:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
59:52
In this episode of Universal History, Richard Rohlin and I discuss the Tower of Babel in Scripture (Genesis) and the Book of Jubilees, the symbolism of the structure itself, what it means for us today, Pentecost, and the solution to authoritarianism. - Original YouTube version: https://youtu.be/wj9EK0QAW54 Links: - The Symbolic World Summit in-pers…
…
continue reading
1
330 - The Leviathan in Scripture: Ouroboros Symbolism
49:25
49:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:25
The Leviathan is a strange creature in the Bible and tradition. In this podcast episode I look at the Leviathan, the sea serpent, the dragon, and its relationship to the devil, and how al of these associations came to be what they can mean. And also it can help us understand how symbolism can be polyvalent that is that symbolism can have multiple m…
…
continue reading
1
329 - James Poulos - Bitcoin Monasteries: Putting Technology to Good Use
55:32
55:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
55:32
This is my discussion with James Poulos about technology and spirituality, how technology has reshaped our world and America, the hope of taking control over new technologies and putting them in the right hands, the role of global institutions, laws, and authority. James Poulos is the co-founder and executive editor of The American Mind at the Clar…
…
continue reading
1
328 - Stephen Blackwood - The Book that the West Needs
1:20:34
1:20:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:20:34
Visit https://thesymbolicworld.com/summit for more information about the Symbolic World Summit Stephen James Blackwood is a Canadian-American professor, academic, and social commentator. Blackwood is the founder and president of Ralston College, a liberal arts college awaiting accreditation in Savannah, Georgia. We met on the Daily Wire+ Exodus pan…
…
continue reading
1
327 - Richard Rohlin - Universal History: Dragons!
1:16:34
1:16:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:16:34
In this episode of Universal History with Richard Rohlin, by popular demand, we finally explored the topic of dragons! We discussed the ubiquitous appearance of dragons across history and different cultures, a dragon’s essential characteristics and mythical nature, their connection to snakes, birds, and angels, and the dragon as a hybrid and guardi…
…
continue reading
1
326 - The Symbolism of Titans, Giants, and Nephilim
22:30
22:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:30
In this video I discuss the symbolism of titans, giants, and Nephilim in anticipation of the God's'Dog: Warrior Kickstarter. Sign up for early bird specials: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/symbolicworldpress/godsdog-warrior 💻 Website and blog: http://www.thesymbolicworld.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau 🗣 Join The Symbolic Wor…
…
continue reading
Author Georgia Briggs joins Fr. Andrew to talk about the character arc of the great Eowyn, Shieldmaiden of the North and White Lady of Rohan. Why is she the way that she is? Why is she so relatable? What makes her different from the other prominent women in The Lord of the Rings? And which passage in The Silmarillion has notable parallels with her …
…
continue reading
1
325 - JP Marceau - Recovering the Metaphysics of Symbolism
44:42
44:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:42
In this discussion with Jean-Philippe Marceau, we introduce the latest Symbolic World Course, called Symbolic World Metaphysics, based on JP’s upcoming book. JP also talks a bit more about his journey in the symbolic world, his unique approach to these topics, and what the course will offer. Join other Symbolic World metaphysics enthusiasts to expe…
…
continue reading
1
324 - Benjamin Boyce - The Inevitable Fall of the Enlightenment
1:31:15
1:31:15
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:31:15
This is a repost of a discussion with Benjamin Boyce on the topic of the Enlightenment, rationalism and science, the problem of identity on the levels of the individual and the group, value hierarchies, authoritarianism, subsidiarity, love, and sacrifice. This conversation happened after I had some disagreements with James Lindsay on Twitter (X) ab…
…
continue reading
In celebration of Theophany (6 January) or Epiphany, as it’s called in the Western tradition, I discuss the meaning of baptism, starting with the baptism of Christ, what it means to be “born again” symbolically, and how Scripture, our sacraments, and the Theophany icon illustrate and explain this to us. Join us for the Symbolic World Summit on Feb …
…
continue reading
1
322 - Janus, the Two-Faced God of January
11:15
11:15
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
11:15
For my last video of 2023, I discuss the pagan god Janus, after whom the month of January is named; why he has two faces, how it’s related to this time of year, the winter solstice, Christmas, and the general ambiguity and uneasiness of places of transition. Happy New Year! Join us for the Symbolic World Summit on Feb 29th, 2024. Learn more: https:…
…
continue reading
1
097 - Brightest of Angels (Christmas Special)
1:38:40
1:38:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:38:40
For their 2023 Christmas episode, Fr. Andrew and Richard discuss the Old English Cynewulf poem “Christ,” whose famous line “Eala Earendel engla beorhtast” inspired the core of the Tolkien legendarium.By Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick and Ancient Faith Radio
…
continue reading
1
321 - Why Angels Appeared to Shepherds on Christmas
15:21
15:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
15:21
This video takes a close look at one sentence in the Christmas story. A great company of angels appeared to the shepherds in the field to announce the birth of Christ, and they sang, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom His favour rests”. To many people this statement seems meaningless or abstract, but in celebration of …
…
continue reading
1
096 - The Last Homely House: The Star-Ship Vingilot
2:07:59
2:07:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:07:59
Andrea with the Bangs comes back for Part 2 of our mini-series on the Voyages of Earendil. She and Richard talk more about what it would mean for Earendil to leave his wife and sons for the doomed voyage into the West, take a deep-dive into Tolkien’s insanely complex notes for his unfinished Earendil heptology. Finally, Andrea makes a billion-dolla…
…
continue reading
1
320 - Richard Rohlin - The Universal History of Christmas
1:33:40
1:33:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:33:40
In this episode of the Universal History podcast, Richard Rohlin and I discuss Christmas, why it looks the way it does, how Christmas developed into what we have today, and why you absolutely should celebrate it if you’re a Christian. --- Buy the Beowulf Course (You have to have a profile on our Symbolic World community, you can create one for free…
…
continue reading
Richard joins Fr. Andrew for the conclusion of his two-year walk through The Hobbit, pondering on what it means to be just a little hobbit in the wide world, reading a little Tinfang Warble, and taking a funky dive into the funkiest of all Tolkien movies.By Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick and Ancient Faith Radio
…
continue reading
This is a repost of an older video published on this channel in 2018. We are reposting it because the original video was blocked by YouTube in several countries. Now also seems like a good time to revisit the topics of aliens, encountering the strange, garments of skin, the consequences and dangers of technology, and all the tropes we have in our c…
…
continue reading
1
318 - Seraphim Hamilton - Re-Enchantment Now: Fairies, Aliens, the Occult, Prayer, and Divination
1:26:24
1:26:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:26:24
This is a repost of my recent discussion with Seraphim Hamilton on his YouTube channel. He asked me many good questions about universal history, re-enchantment, fairy tales, the occult, divination, carnival, war, prayer, and ritual, thinking symbolically about your own life, AI, and more. Enjoy. YouTube version: https://youtu.be/wXwi8r00-XU Previou…
…
continue reading
1
317 - Fr. Joseph Lucas - Sacrifice: The Paradox of Salvation
48:05
48:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:05
Fr. Joseph Lucas published a thesis on the question of sacrifice, called Offerer and Offering: Cyril of Alexandria on Jewish and Christian Sacrifice. In this video, we discuss sacrifice in Scripture, how we should understand the crucifixion, and how the notion of sacrifice applies to the Christian life. Bio: Father Joseph Lucas is an Orthodox Chris…
…
continue reading
1
316 - DC Schindler - The Duality of Art (Climbing Mt Sophia)
1:03:15
1:03:15
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:15
This is a repost of a great discussion I had on the Climbing Mt. Sophia channel alongside DC Schindler. We discuss beauty, art, freedom, techne and technology, primarily exploring the question: what is beauty? Original: Climbing Mt. Sophia - Beauty, Art and Freedom with Jonathan Pageau and DC Schindler: https://youtu.be/pIikYtFS4Q8?si=SlFG5MR0Ztbmc…
…
continue reading
1
094 - The Last Homely House: These Are the Voyages
1:37:38
1:37:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:37:38
Richard is rejoined by Andrea with the Bangs for part 1 of a 2-part series on the Voyages of Earendil. They talk about stories, the necessity of properly pairing the masculine and the feminine, and various matters touching seabirds. Richard poses a billion-dollar question to Andrea and the audience.By Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick and Ancient Faith Radio
…
continue reading
1
315 - Fr. Turbo Qualls and David Patrick Harry - Beauty and the Ascetic
1:24:39
1:24:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:24:39
For this week’s podcast, I sat down with Fr. Turbo Qualls and David Patrick Harry to discuss beauty and iconography in the Orthodox Christian tradition, why beauty is a part of the Church despite Christ leading a simple life, giving back to God, the meaning and purpose of icons in worship, balancing beauty and charity, the question of idolatry, the…
…
continue reading
Dr. Martin Shaw will be a speaker at the Symbolic World Summit next year in Tarpon Springs, Florida. In this conversation we discuss pagan stories, including The Odyssey and The Iliad, our current moment in the West, the return of paganism and a desire for Kleos (imperishable glory) in modern life. We also talk about how much paganism differs from …
…
continue reading
1
313 - Fr. Andrew Damick - Redeeming Pagan Symbolism
1:12:46
1:12:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:12:46
Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick is Chief Content Officer of Ancient Faith Ministries. He has been podcasting since 2007 and is the host of Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy, Orthodox Engagement, and Roads from Emmaus, as well as co-host of The Lord of Spirits, The Areopagus, and Amon Sûl. I had a wonderful conversation with Fr. Andrew about his latest project, Th…
…
continue reading
Michael Landsman joins Fr. Andrew to look at the penultimate chapter of The Hobbit, chapter 18, “The Return Journey,” featuring many farewells and most importantly, the death of Thorin. They talk about themes of hope, asceticism, blessings, generosity, repentance, and of course dwarven eschatology.By Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick and Ancient Faith Radio
…
continue reading
1
312 - Kendelle Hoyer - Behind the Big Screen
53:22
53:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
53:22
Kendelle Hoyer is passionate about storytelling and art, which has been a life-long pursuit since childhood when she decided she wanted to work in animation. Since then, Kendelle has developed her craft of bringing fantastical stories to life. She has been privileged to work on feature films at major animation studios since 2008, and is currently w…
…
continue reading
1
311 - Ritualized Behavior From Animals to Church
19:21
19:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:21
There is a tendency to isolate religious behavior from other human behavior, which can make religious behavior seem arbitrary or ridiculous. In this week's video, I argue that the best way to understand religion, even from a purely materialist perspective, is to understand it as an extension of other types of ritualized behavior, even those we can …
…
continue reading