CULTIVATING SAINTS, SAGES, AND STATESMEN THROUGH THE GREAT TRADITION OF CHRISTENDOM

In this episode, we close out 2025 and enter 2026 with Christmas and Epiphany sermons from St. Pope Leo the Great, delivered on Christmas Day 444, and January 6, 445 respectively. May these reflections from a Saint, Church Father, Doctor of the Church, and Pope challenge and edify you as we enter what seems likely to be a turbulent year.

Thank you to Catholic University of America Press for permission to read from their "Fathers of the Church" series. You can purchase the volume these sermons came from here: https://www.cuapress.org/9780813228297/sermons/

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DIVE DEEPER

Check out our “Becoming Catholic” resources, where you’ll find 1 million+ words of free content (bigger than the Bible!) in the form of Articles, Quote Archives, and Study Banks to help you become, remain, and deepen your life as a Catholic: https://eternalchristendom.com/becoming-catholic/

SUBSTACK

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CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction

07:43 - Sermon 25: Christmas Day, 444

23:17 - Sermon 35: Epiphany, 445

34:24 - Concluding Reflections

This podcast can also be heard on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

CULTIVATING SAINTS, SAGES, AND STATESMEN THROUGH THE GREAT TRADITION OF CHRISTENDOM

In this episode, we officially inaugurate an annual Eternal Christendom Christmas tradition with our friend and colleague Dr. Gavin Ashenden: "Christmas with the Church Fathers." Last year, we were privileged to have Gavin's beautiful voice read a profound and moving Christmas sermon by St. Augustine, upon which we reflected.

This year, Gavin reads and we reflect upon two powerful sermons by St. Pope Leo the Great: Sermon 19 for Advent (delivered December 14, 452) , and Sermon 21 for Christmas (delivered December 25, 440). This great Saint, Church Father, Doctor of the Church, and Pope reminds us in both of these sermons that the coming of God in the flesh as a baby ought remind Christians of their profound dignity, from which flows their serious duties and high calling.

A Happy Advent, and Merry Christmas to all!

See 2024's "Christmas with the Church Fathers" reading of St. Augustine: https://youtu.be/r4U3fRLV558?si=AtuAcmSCwl-vPLV5

HUGE HOLIDAY GIVING OPPORTUNITY

https://youtu.be/FbIqyA4z6XY?si=5RlKoJvWmDM77nbj

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

https://eternalchristendom.com/

BECOME A PATRON OF THE GREAT TRADITION

As a non-profit, you can support our mission with a tax-deductible gift. Help us continue to dig into the Great Tradition; produce beautiful, substantive content; and gift these treasures to cultural orphans around the world for free: https://eternalchristendom.com/become-a-patron/

CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

X: https://twitter.com/JoshuaTCharles

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshuatcharles/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuatcharles/

DIVE DEEPER

Check out our “Becoming Catholic” resources, where you’ll find 1 million+ words of free content (bigger than the Bible!) in the form of Articles, Quote Archives, and Study Banks to help you become, remain, and deepen your life as a Catholic: https://eternalchristendom.com/becoming-catholic/

SUBSTACK

Subscribe to our Substack to get regular updates on our content, and other premium content: https://eternalchristendom.substack.com/

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CHAPTERS

00:00 - Intro

05:28 - Sermon 19 (Pope Leo the Great) for Advent

14:33 - Sermon 19 Reflection

27:52 - Sermon 21 (Pope Leo the Great) for Christmas

35:29 - Sermon 21 Reflection and Conclusion

This podcast can also be heard on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

CULTIVATING SAINTS, SAGES, AND STATESMEN THROUGH THE GREAT TRADITION OF CHRISTENDOM

In this episode, our next "Papal Snapshot," we cover the famous Law Code of Justinian and what it says about the authority of the Pope as revealed in an exchange of letters between Emperor Justinian and Pope John II. The Code of Justinian had an enormous impact on the development of the western legal tradition, making its strong affirmation of papal authority all the more notable.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

https://eternalchristendom.com/

BECOME A PATRON OF THE GREAT TRADITION

As a non-profit, you can support our mission with a tax-deductible gift. Help us continue to dig into the Great Tradition; produce beautiful, substantive content; and gift these treasures to cultural orphans around the world for free: https://eternalchristendom.com/become-a-patron/

CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

X: https://twitter.com/JoshuaTCharles

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshuatcharles/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuatcharles/

DIVE DEEPER

Check out our “Becoming Catholic” resources, where you’ll find 1 million+ words of free content (bigger than the Bible!) in the form of Articles, Quote Archives, and Study Banks to help you become, remain, and deepen your life as a Catholic: https://eternalchristendom.com/becoming-catholic/

SUBSTACK

Subscribe to our Substack to get regular updates on our content, and other premium content: https://eternalchristendom.substack.com/

EXCLUSIVE BOOKSTORE DISCOUNTS

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CHAPTERS

00:00 - Intro

03:13 - Historical Context for the Code of Justinian

04:59 - Letters Between Pope John II and Emperor Justinian

21:37 - Conclusion

This podcast can also be heard on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

CULTIVATING SAINTS, SAGES, AND STATESMEN THROUGH THE GREAT TRADITION OF CHRISTENDOM

It seems a lot has changed since Vatican II (1962-65)—so much so that many prospective and actual converts to the Catholic Faith are confused and concerned. Has the Church contradicted Herself? Has She rejected Her own tradition? Has She taught error? Has She trashed Her own liturgy? How are we to make sense of the changes that have taken place since the 1960's?

This episode is the first of a series of conversations that seek to honestly address these pressing questions. Our two guests are Dr. Peter Kwasniewski and Dr. Larry Chapp—two Christian gentlemen who are highly educated, orthodox, and lived just prior to and after the fallout of Vatican II. They agree and disagree on a great deal, but they are both loyal sons of the Church, and grounded in the Great Tradition of Christendom. Look for Part 2 in early 2026.

You can read more about Dr. Kwasniewski (who is a member of Eternal Christendom's Board) here: https://www.peterkwasniewski.com/about-me

You can read more about Dr. Chapp here: https://gaudiumetspes22.com/about

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

https://eternalchristendom.com/

BECOME A PATRON OF THE GREAT TRADITION

As a non-profit, you can support our mission with a tax-deductible gift. Help us continue to dig into the Great Tradition; produce beautiful, substantive content; and gift these treasures to cultural orphans around the world for free: https://eternalchristendom.com/become-a-patron/

CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

X: https://twitter.com/JoshuaTCharles

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshuatcharles/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuatcharles/

DIVE DEEPER

Check out our “Becoming Catholic” resources, where you’ll find 1 million+ words of free content (bigger than the Bible!) in the form of Articles, Quote Archives, and Study Banks to help you become, remain, and deepen your life as a Catholic: https://eternalchristendom.com/becoming-catholic/

SUBSTACK

Subscribe to our Substack to get regular updates on our content, and other premium content: https://eternalchristendom.substack.com/

EXCLUSIVE BOOKSTORE DISCOUNTS

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This podcast can also be heard on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

CULTIVATING SAINTS, SAGES, AND STATESMEN THROUGH THE GREAT TRADITION OF CHRISTENDOM

In this episode--our first diving into American history--we explore the first national Thanksgiving proclaimed by President George Washington, its biblical roots, the profoundly Christian colonial tradition from which it came, and how many aspects of it were fully aligned with the Catholic Faith.

Particularly for those in the United States, a very Happy Thanksgiving!

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

https://eternalchristendom.com/

BECOME A PATRON OF THE GREAT TRADITION

As a non-profit, you can support our mission with a tax-deductible gift. Help us continue to dig into the Great Tradition; produce beautiful, substantive content; and gift these treasures to cultural orphans around the world for free: https://eternalchristendom.com/become-a-patron/

CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

X: https://twitter.com/JoshuaTCharles

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshuatcharles/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuatcharles/

DIVE DEEPER

Check out our “Becoming Catholic” resources, where you’ll find 1 million+ words of free content (bigger than the Bible!) in the form of Articles, Quote Archives, and Study Banks to help you become, remain, and deepen your life as a Catholic: https://eternalchristendom.com/becoming-catholic/

SUBSTACK

Subscribe to our Substack to get regular updates on our content, and other premium content: https://eternalchristendom.substack.com/

EXCLUSIVE BOOKSTORE DISCOUNTS

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CHAPTERS

00:00 - Intro

03:44 - The Biblical Roots of Thanksgiving

06:41 - Congress Calls for Thanksgiving to God

12:06 - Early Precedents: Continental Congress

17:00 - Congress Approves, the President Moves

21:53 - President Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation

This podcast can also be heard on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

CULTIVATING SAINTS, SAGES, AND STATESMEN THROUGH THE GREAT TRADITION OF CHRISTENDOM

In this episode, we explore the fascinating connections between the end times and pre-Flood civilization, Atlantis, so-called ancient technology, Freemasonry, etc. with Michael Hichborn, President of the Lepanto Institute.

You could read more about Michael here: https://www.lepantoin.org/wp/who-we-are/

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

https://eternalchristendom.com/

BECOME A PATRON OF THE GREAT TRADITION

As a non-profit, you can support our mission with a tax-deductible gift. Help us continue to dig into the Great Tradition; produce beautiful, substantive content; and gift these treasures to cultural orphans around the world for free: https://eternalchristendom.com/become-a-patron/

CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

X: https://twitter.com/JoshuaTCharles

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshuatcharles/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuatcharles/

DIVE DEEPER

Check out our “Becoming Catholic” resources, where you’ll find 1 million+ words of free content (bigger than the Bible!) in the form of Articles, Quote Archives, and Study Banks to help you become, remain, and deepen your life as a Catholic: https://eternalchristendom.com/becoming-catholic/

SUBSTACK

Subscribe to our Substack to get regular updates on our content, and other premium content: https://eternalchristendom.substack.com/

EXCLUSIVE BOOKSTORE DISCOUNTS

https://eternalchristendom.com/bookstore/

This podcast can also be heard on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

CULTIVATING SAINTS, SAGES, AND STATESMEN THROUGH THE GREAT TRADITION OF CHRISTENDOM

In this episode, we complete our dive into the writings of the Church Father who "Red Pilled" me on the Catholic Church while I was still a protestant: St. Ignatius of Antioch. If you haven't seen it, start with Part 1 first, which is Episode 44: https://youtu.be/CK1_22AjdIQ

St. Ignatius of Antioch was ordained by the Apostles, and barely 70 years after Christ's Ascension wrote astoundingly Catholic things about: the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, apostolic succession, the authority of the priesthood, the Christian altar, the necessity of unity, the greater authority of the Roman Church, and even the very name of the one true Church: the "Catholic Church." Today we are publishing Part 2 of this two-part series in honor of my patron saint, who did so much to "Red Pill" me on the Catholic Church.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

https://eternalchristendom.com/

BECOME A PATRON OF THE GREAT TRADITION

As a non-profit, you can support our mission with a tax-deductible gift. Help us continue to dig into the Great Tradition; produce beautiful, substantive content; and gift these treasures to cultural orphans around the world for free: https://eternalchristendom.com/become-a-patron/

CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

X: https://twitter.com/JoshuaTCharles

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshuatcharles/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuatcharles/

DIVE DEEPER

Check out our “Becoming Catholic” resources, where you’ll find 1 million+ words of free content (bigger than the Bible!) in the form of Articles, Quote Archives, and Study Banks to help you become, remain, and deepen your life as a Catholic: https://eternalchristendom.com/becoming-catholic/

SUBSTACK

Subscribe to our Substack to get regular updates on our content, and other premium content: https://eternalchristendom.substack.com/

EXCLUSIVE BOOKSTORE DISCOUNTS

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CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction

03:37 - Help Us Build Eternal Christendom

04:24 - Letter to the Philadelphians

16:14 - Letter to the Romans

39:28 - Eternal Christendom Bookstore

39:55 - Letter to St. Polycarp

47:40 - Ancient Testimony About St. Ignatius of Antioch

01:02:35 - Conclusion: The Church Father Who "Red-Pilled" Me

This podcast can also be heard on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

CULTIVATING SAINTS, SAGES, AND STATESMEN THROUGH THE GREAT TRADITION OF CHRISTENDOM

In this episode, we interview Dr. Gavin Ashenden (former chaplain to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II) on his conversion from Anglicanism to the Catholic Faith. He describes in vivid detail his discovery of the reality of Christ in the Eucharist, spiritual warfare against the Catholic Church, and realizing that much of what he had been told throughout his life about both the Church and protestantism was propaganda.

You can follow his Substack here: https://drgavinashenden.substack.com/

Gavin is also a member of Eternal Christendom's Advisory Board: https://eternalchristendom.com/advisory-board/gavin-ashenden/

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

https://eternalchristendom.com/

BECOME A PATRON OF THE GREAT TRADITION

As a non-profit, you can support our mission with a tax-deductible gift. Help us continue to dig into the Great Tradition; produce beautiful, substantive content; and gift these treasures to cultural orphans around the world for free: https://eternalchristendom.com/become-a-patron/

CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

X: https://twitter.com/JoshuaTCharles

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshuatcharles/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuatcharles/

DIVE DEEPER

Check out our “Becoming Catholic” resources, where you’ll find 1 million+ words of free content (bigger than the Bible!) in the form of Articles, Quote Archives, and Study Banks to help you become, remain, and deepen your life as a Catholic: https://eternalchristendom.com/becoming-catholic/

SUBSTACK

Subscribe to our Substack to get regular updates on our content, and other premium content: https://eternalchristendom.substack.com/

EXCLUSIVE BOOKSTORE DISCOUNTS

https://eternalchristendom.com/bookstore/

This podcast can also be heard on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.