Byzantine Church

A sweeping, definitive history of the dynamic, expansionist dynasty that forged the Middle Ages—and Europe—as we know it. “Historical scholarship, and historical storytelling, at its finest.” —Matthew Gabriele, coauthor of The Bright Ages and Oathbreakers Today, the Carolingians are...

Maximus the Confessor for Beginners: Insights into Christology and the Human Will takes you into the life and teachings of one of Christianity’s most courageous and influential thinkers. This is not just another history lesson—it’s a journey into the mind of a man whose ideas on Christ’s nature and human freedom reshaped Christian doctrine for centuries. Why does Maximus matter today? Maximus wasn’t just a theologian. He was a spiritual warrior who stood firm in the face of torture and exile, all to defend the truth. His defense of Christ’s human and divine will is more than an ...

What if one of Christianity’s greatest ancient teachers could help you quiet the noise, reorder your life, and rediscover the discipline of genuine spiritual growth? Saint Basil the Great did not write for people who wanted a faith of vague feelings and comfortable intentions. He wrote for men and women who wanted Christianity to become a way of life—practical, disciplined, communal, merciful, and deeply rooted in the Gospel. The Rule of Saint Basil for Beginners opens the door to one of the most important foundations of Eastern Christian monasticism. Written in clear, accessible ...

The revered Bible scholar and author of The Historical Jesus explores the Christian culture wars—the debates over church and state—from a biblical perspective, exploring the earliest tensions evident in the New Testament, and offering a way forward for Christians today. Leading Bible scholar...

This in-depth study of the Catholic–Orthodox reunion efforts during the tumultuous 11th–15th centuries reveals the vital role played by the Dominican Order in shaping the theological and political discourse of that era, with a focus on the contributions of prominent Dominican figures such as John Stojkovich of Ragusa, Andrew Chrysoberges, Manuel Calecas, Demetrios Kydones, Thomas Aquinas and many others who played a critical role in the events leading to the Council of Florence. Acclaim for Scholars of the Sacred: “James Likoudis makes here a welcome contribution to the great ...

What happens when a powerful emperor declares sacred images dangerous—and a monk beyond his reach dares to challenge him? Saint John of Damascus lived during an age of conquest, religious conflict, and political upheaval. Born into a prominent Christian family in the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate, he left privilege and public service behind for the demanding life of a desert monastery. From there, he became one of the most influential theologians, hymnwriters, and defenders of Christian tradition. Saint John of Damascus for Beginners brings his remarkable story and ideas to life in ...

Unlock the mysteries of a faith that has stood the test of time, survived centuries of upheaval, and continues to inspire millions today. Polish Orthodox Church: A Beginner's Guide: An Introduction to Poland's Orthodox Heritage invites you on a journey into a world of rich traditions, breathtaking art, and timeless spirituality. Immerse Yourself in History: From the arrival of Byzantine missionaries to the rise of autocephaly, discover how Poland’s Orthodox Church has shaped and been shaped by the country’s turbulent history. Learn about its resilience during the partitions, its role ...

"Divine Ascent - Daily Quotes” contains 366 of the most direct and inspiring quotations from "The Ladder of Divine Ascent" by Saint John Climacus. The Ladder of Divine Ascent is an important ascetical treatise for monasticism and for those of us living our Christian faith in the world. Written ca. 600 AD, The Ladder remains popular today.

Unlock the Untold Stories of Christianity’s Early Giants Step into the world of the early Church, where two men—John Chrysostom and Ambrose of Milan—rose from humble beginnings to become pillars of faith and influence. Antioch to Milan: The Influence of John Chrysostom & Ambrose offers you an unparalleled journey through their lives, revealing the profound impact they had on the shaping of Western Christianity. Discover the Power of Rhetoric: John Chrysostom, the “Golden Mouth,” captivated the hearts of his followers and challenged the might of emperors. His sermons, full of moral...

The Byzantine Empire survived as a self-contained political entity longer than any other in the history of Christianity. This history by Charles Oman is a catalog of good, bad, and indifferent emperors who either pushed Byzantine Civilization to new heights or savagely drove it to defeat and dissolution. It is a strange tale populated by some of the most interesting men and women who have ever lived.

He was seven years old when the crown was placed on his head—and for the next forty-two years, he ruled one of the most powerful empires on earth. Theodosius II for Beginners: The Boy Emperor Who Shaped the Christian World is your invitation into the life of the emperor who didn't march with armies or shout from chariots—but quietly rewrote the rules of empire, law, and faith from inside the palaces of Constantinople. This is not another story about Rome falling. It's the story of how it endured. Discover how a child emperor became the architect of the longest-lasting empire in history....

What if the Roman Empire did not truly fall in 476? For nearly another thousand years, an empire centered on Constantinople carried Roman law, imperial government, Greek learning, and Christian faith into the medieval world. Its rulers faced Persian armies, Arab conquests, religious revolts, crusaders, civil wars, and Ottoman expansion—and somehow kept the empire alive. Byzantium for Beginners tells that extraordinary story in clear, engaging language designed for readers who want to understand Byzantine history without getting lost in dense academic detail. Inside, you’ll discover: Why...

What do a bishop from Alexandria and a monk in Damascus have in common? Everything—if you care about the foundations of Christian thought. Orthodox Foundations is two books in one—a compelling beginner’s guide to Cyril of Alexandria and John of Damascus, two towering figures who didn’t just defend Christian doctrine—they forged it in fire. They lived in different centuries. Faced different threats. Wrote in different styles. But both stood at the front lines of the Church’s greatest battles. They argued for truth when compromise was easier. They shaped ideas that still define ...

Most books about Istanbul tell you where to stand for the best view of Hagia Sophia. This one gives you the story behind what you're seeing. Backstory Atlas Istanbul: 10 Reasons We Can't Stop Visiting the City Between Empires - A Guide to Its Travel History is a short, curated read that makes travel richer. It explores how a Greek colonial settlement on a narrow strait became one of the most visited cities in the world and why Istanbul still feels so layered, contested, and impossible to finish with today. This is not a guidebook or a long, academic history. It is an accessible book for ...

A Window into the Church's Greatest Controversies and the Mind of One of Its Most Important Historians Discover the writings of Theodoret of Cyrus—bishop, theologian, and historian—whose works preserve firsthand insight into the doctrinal struggles and ecclesiastical life of the fourth and fifth centuries. Complete modernized edition of Theodoret's Ecclesiastical History, Dialogues (Eranistes), and selected letters. Revised from the classic Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers translation for improved readability and consistency. Essential source for the history of Arianism, the aftermath of ...

The Crusades shook the world. But why did they happen? Their origins are revealed in a new light. As part of a medieval world war that stretched from Asia to Europe. At its center was an ancient empire Byzantium. Told for the first time as a single, linked narrative are three great events that changed history: The fall of Byzantium in the 11th century, the epic campaign of the First Crusade and the origins of modern Turkey. Nick Holmes not only presents the First Crusade in a wider global context but he also puts forwards new interpretations of the original sources.

The monastery at Siani was famous throughout the academic world for its library. The monks of medieval days routinely obtained ancient, crumbling manuscripts and recopied them. Among them, hidden in a wall in the cellar, the following parchment was found and faithfully recopied in the practiced hand of the Sianian monks several centuries after its original writing: “According to the official Catalogue of Popes, after the Holy Father Leo IV died in the Year of Our Lord, Eight hundred fifty five, he was succeeded by Pope Benedict III. I, Martin Paschal, swear upon my eternal soul that the ...

The Third Rome: Power, Faith, and the Evolution of the Russian State provides a comprehensive and politically neutral journey through the centuries of ideological and political development that shaped a global superpower. This Russian history non-fiction work begins in the early Kievan era, tracing the foundational conversion of Vladimir the Great and the subsequent spiritual and political fracturing caused by the Mongol conquest. By examining the rise of Moscow, the text explores the origin of the "Third Rome" concept—the belief that Moscow inherited the mantle of spiritual leadership ...

Bloomsbury presents Summer Heat by Defne Suman, read by Angela Christofilou. ‘Every woman must be nourished by an inner reservoir of secrets...’ Melike has it all: a beautiful home in Istanbul, a career as an art historian, an attentive husband. But her yearning for more excitement has led...

The Church After Constantine—In the Words of a Fifth-Century Historian From the reign of Constantine to the great theological controversies of the fourth and fifth centuries, Socrates Scholasticus provides one of the most important surviving accounts of the early Christian church. This modern English edition of A History of the Church in Seven Books makes this foundational work accessible to today’s readers while preserving the substance and character of the classic translation from the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers series. Follow the rise of Christianity within the Roman Empire ...