FACTS

In this episode, Dr. Stephen Boyce walks through St. Jerome’s Letter 15 to Pope Damasus, written while Jerome was living in the Syrian desert amid the divisions of the Antiochene schism. Eastern Christians were divided among rival bishops, while theological controversy surrounded the expression “three hypostases.” Jerome understood the orthodox meaning intended by some who used the phrase, but he feared that its ambiguity could also suggest three divine substances.Rather than deciding the controversy by himself, Jerome appealed to Pope Damasus and the Roman See. He describes Rome as the “chair of Peter,” the rock upon which the Church is built, the house in which the Paschal Lamb is rightly eaten, and the Ark of Noah. Although he follows no leader except Christ, Jerome declares that he communicates with the chair of Peter and asks Damasus to determine which terminology he should use and with whom he should remain in communion at Antioch.This letter provides an important window into Jerome’s understanding of ecclesial unity and the resolution of schism. For Jerome, agreement with the Roman See was not merely an expression of admiration for Rome. He looked to the successor of Peter for an authoritative judgment capable of identifying orthodox communion and bringing clarity to a divided Church.

What really happened during the Fourth Crusade?Historian Dr. Thomas Madden joins me to explain how the crusade began, why Egypt was its original target, and how financial problems with Venice led the crusaders toward Zara and ultimately Constantinople. We also discuss Pope Innocent III’s response, the role of the Byzantine prince Alexios, the sack of Constantinople in 1204, and the myths surrounding its violence and destruction.Finally, we examine who bears responsibility and whether the Fourth Crusade permanently divided Eastern and Western Christianity.Subscribe to FACTS with Stephen Boyce New episodes weekly on Scripture, Church history, and theology.Support our ministry: If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7 #theFACTSpodcast #StephenBoyce #ChurchHistory #EarlyChurchHistory

In 1800, the Catholic Church appeared to be on the verge of collapse. Rome had been invaded, the Papal States seized, and Pope Pius VI had died as a prisoner in France. Yet the cardinals gathered in Venice and elected another successor of Peter: Pope Pius VII.Only two months after his election, Pius VII issued Diu Satis, declaring that Peter “lives in his successors” and that every attempt to overthrow the House of God is ultimately in vain. In this episode, we examine the historical circumstances behind the letter, Pius VII’s appeal to Pope St. Martin I and St. Irenaeus, and his defense of the Church founded upon Peter—the Rock against which the gates of hell will not prevail.We will also consider the remarkable fact that the Vatican was built upon ground once belonging to pagan Rome, with St. Peter’s Basilica standing over the burial place of the apostle himself.Pius VII would eventually live the principles of his own letter. Napoleon had him arrested and held prisoner in France, but after Napoleon’s downfall, the pope protected his family and helped send the priest through whom his former persecutor returned to the sacraments and received the last rites.Napoleon could imprison the pope, but he could not destroy the papacy—and when Napoleon finally fell, Peter’s successor still sought the salvation of his soul.Link to Diu Satis: https://www.papalencyclicals.net/pius07/p7diusat.htm