saints

Biographical and theological reflections on notable Christians throughout history.

Origen and the Worship of Angels Members Public

Origen is often misquoted as denying that Christians were to pray to or invoke angels or the saints in heaven to intercede for believers on earth. They base this on Origen’s response to the Christian critic and pagan Celsus, whom this prolific Christian wrote a thorough refutation to. In

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
angelsworshipprayer

St. Hippolytus’ Exegesis of Daniel Members Public

In this post I will be sharing St. Hippolytus’ lengthy explanation of the Daniel’s prophecies as it relates to the coming of Christ. It is taken from the work titled, Some Exegetical Fragments of Hippolytus. Before I do so I provide a summary of this blessed saint’s awe-inspiring

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
danielprophecymessiah

St. Cyril’s Praise of Mary Members Public

At the Council of Ephesus (431 AD), the blessed St. Cyril of Alexandria uttered a litany of praise to the blessed Mother of our God Incarnate in honor of her being the holy and pure God-bearer. Here’s what this holy servant of Christ wrote: “Mary, Mother of God, we

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
marychurch-historysaints

St. Optatus, Peter’s Primacy & the Papacy Members Public

This lengthy extract from St. Optatus is taken from Optatus of Milevis, Against the Donatists (1917) Book 2. pp. 57-119. His statements affirm that the Roman Church is the See of Peter, and the grounds of unity which makes the Church one and universal. He further argues that to deviate

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
catholiccatholicismchurch

St. Maximus, Pope Honorius & the Papacy Members Public

I share the following article on St. Maximus the Confessor from CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Maximus of Constantinople. St. Maximus of Constantinople Known as the Theologian and as Maximus Confessor, born at Constantinople about 580; died in exile 13 August, 662. He is one of the chief names in the Monothelite

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historycatholicismorthodoxy

Martyrdom of Peter’s Wife Members Public

According to Clement of Alexandria, there was a tradition which stated that Peter’s wife was martyred as the blessed Apostle looked and encouraged her:   They say, accordingly, that the blessed Peter, on seeing his wife led to death, rejoiced on account of her call and conveyance home, and called

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
church-historysaintschristianity

Augustine on the Holy Eucharist Members Public

According to noted Protestant historian J.N.D Kelly, St. Augustine did indeed affirm that the Eucharist does in fact become the actual flesh, body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: If Ambrose’s influence helped to mediate the doctrine of a physical change to the West,

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
eucharistcatholicismchurch-history

Polycarp, Pope Anicetus, Irenaeus & Easter Members Public

Church historian Eusebius recorded the early controversy that arose among the faithful in respect to the celebration of Easter. Some Christians such as Polycarp insisted that the Church should follow the example within the Gospels by observing it on the fourteenth day of Nisan, which is the date fixed by

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
easterchurch-historypassover
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