Nicene Creed – Episode Seven

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The First Council of Constantinople, from a Byzantine Orthodox fresco at Stavropoleos Church, Bucharest, Romania, circa 1724 A.D. (with early 20th C. restoration from earthquake damage).

Episode Seven in The Nicene Creed is the first of two episodes focused on the final paragraph of the Creed.   The commentary covers from “And I believe in the Holy Ghost” through “worshipped and glorified.”  Episode running time is just over 25 minutes.

Watch the video       Listen to the Podcast.

Continue reading “Nicene Creed – Episode Seven”

A Fortunate One

I was born seventy-four years ago to a middle class family in a small Virginia town with a long history of traditional values.  I was blessed with two living grandparents nearby and some education-oriented cousins who kept in touch.  Both my grandmother and my cousin encouraged me to read and to learn to think for myself.  I had good friends and we watched out for each other.  I’ll be seeing some of them this weekend for the reunion of my high school class of 1960. Continue reading “A Fortunate One”

Nicene Creed – Episode Six

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Copyright Can Stock Photo, Inc./tupungato

Episode Six is the final episode of three on what the Nicene Creed declares concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.  It begins with “And on the third day” and goes through “kingdom shall have no end.”  Illustrations for the various statements/phrases, in order of use, are Christ Victor Over Death, bas relief, Stephandom, Vienna; Christ Resurrected, 6 panels of stained glass, 19th C., location unknown; The Ascension, Eastern Orthodox icon, Bulgaria, 16th C.;  Christ Enthroned, apse mosaic (I seriously altered the original photograph to correct perspective distortion), Basilica of St. Ambrose, Milan, 13th C.; Continue reading “Nicene Creed – Episode Six”

Nicene Creed – Episode Four

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The Emperor Constantine and the Bishops of the Council of Nicea.  Early Byzantine icon.  Artist uknown.

IN working out the content for the Nicene Creed video series I ran into a problem with the length of the episodes.  The revised format shows up in Episode Four, released today as the first of three episodes focused on the Creed’s descriptions of Jesus Christ.  Here’s the plan for all three: Continue reading “Nicene Creed – Episode Four”

The Nicene Creed – Episode Two

I’ve struggled for two weeks trying to finish Episode Two in The Nicene Creed.  The original version ran 34 minutes and the recording I made of the sound file had audible sound only for the first 3 minutes.  Thus having been forced to try again, I made significant changes, reducing the length to just over 14 minutes.   The finished version is focused only on the first part of the first paragraph, including “I believe” and running through “Maker of Heaven and Earth.”  In Episode Three I will finish the first paragraph with a discussion of the last phrase in the first paragraph:  “And of all things, visible and invisible.”

Watch the video       Listen to the Podcast version.

 

Nicene Creed – Episode One

Now that I’ve finished putting together the AIC Bookstore catalogue, which now includes 12NiceneCreed-Open-72dpi publications (counting the St. Chrysostom Hymnal in 2 volumes), I’m able to turn my attention to work on the video series on The Nicene Creed. (For the full bookstore catalogue, visit our Virtual Bookstore:  https://www.amazon.com/author/ronald-e-shibley).
The Nicene Creed series will provide the historical context for the calling of the Council of Nicea (325 A.D.), which was the first of the Seven Ecumenical Councils of the Church Universal. Continue reading “Nicene Creed – Episode One”

The St. Chrysostom Hymnal – 4th Edition

Hymnal-2016-cover.inddThe 4th edition of the St. Chrysostom Hymnal is almost ready for publication.   The preliminary design for the cover follows our new white on black color scheme and a quotation from St. Athanasius: “the act of singing effects harmony in the soul.”

This collection of 474 hymns, songs and canticles, all in the public domain, is offered as a supplement to the venerable Episcopal Hymnal (1940). Continue reading “The St. Chrysostom Hymnal – 4th Edition”