Here is a revised translation of Leo's three epistles (which kicked off the events leading up to ... more Here is a revised translation of Leo's three epistles (which kicked off the events leading up to the schism of 1054), along with an introduction to the man and an explanation of his arguments.
This is an early piece I wrote on the nature of romantic love in the Middle Ages. Regrettably, I ... more This is an early piece I wrote on the nature of romantic love in the Middle Ages. Regrettably, I did not learn of Denis de Rougemont's work on this subject until afterwards.
Here is a preliminary--and overly literal--translation of Pope Leo IX's response to Leo Ochrid's ... more Here is a preliminary--and overly literal--translation of Pope Leo IX's response to Leo Ochrid's missives critiquing the Latin church's use of azymes (unleavened bread) in her liturgy. To my knowledge, this letter--more a libellus than a letter--has not been translated into English. This is unfortunate, since it is a rather early, comprehensive account of papal power that anticipates the Gregorian reforms. Ironically, a close reading of Leo's letter (which may have been partly or wholly written by Cdl. Humbert) show that Leo is no ultramontanist. Though he forcefully defends a form of petrine primacy, as well as the privileges of his office, he makes a number of concessions that Orthodox ecclesiologists might appreciate today. For example, the pope is recognized by and beholden to the ecumenical councils. His temporal power was granted by the emperor Constantine (in the famous Donation, which is quoted here at length) and his primacy in the church was acknowledged and confirmed by the emperor Justinian. Peter was given a special mandate to confirm the rest of the episcopate in preserving the apostolic tradition. The pope, as in Möhler's scheme, is not the origin of this tradition nor the origin of the church's unity, but a keystone that is essential for keeping the whole "arch" of the church together. Thus I would contend that Leo's concept of the papacy is half-way between the minimalist view of certain Orthodox thinkers (such as Fr. Thomas Hopko or Fr. Alexander Schmemann) and the high-papalist views of a de Maistre, Pius IX, or even current office-holder of the throne of Peter.
In time I hope to upload a more properly "englished" form of this letter.
Here is the second letter sent by Bishop Leo of Ochrid to the bishops of southern Italy. This and... more Here is the second letter sent by Bishop Leo of Ochrid to the bishops of southern Italy. This and the third letter were lost until the 19th century. In this letter, Leo further expounds his typological and symbolic argument against the fittingness of unleavened bread in the eucharistic liturgy.
Here is a draft translation of the letter that started it all! This letter is the immediate cause... more Here is a draft translation of the letter that started it all! This letter is the immediate cause of the breakdown of relations between Rome and Constantinople.
In this paper, I explore the ideas of the reform papacy in order to better understand aspects of ... more In this paper, I explore the ideas of the reform papacy in order to better understand aspects of the crusades and the Great Schism that followed.
In this paper, I explore Scotus' much maligned theory of the univocity of being, in order to see ... more In this paper, I explore Scotus' much maligned theory of the univocity of being, in order to see if there may be some rapprochement between his and Aquinas' systems.
Here is a revised translation of Leo's three epistles (which kicked off the events leading up to ... more Here is a revised translation of Leo's three epistles (which kicked off the events leading up to the schism of 1054), along with an introduction to the man and an explanation of his arguments.
This is an early piece I wrote on the nature of romantic love in the Middle Ages. Regrettably, I ... more This is an early piece I wrote on the nature of romantic love in the Middle Ages. Regrettably, I did not learn of Denis de Rougemont's work on this subject until afterwards.
Here is a preliminary--and overly literal--translation of Pope Leo IX's response to Leo Ochrid's ... more Here is a preliminary--and overly literal--translation of Pope Leo IX's response to Leo Ochrid's missives critiquing the Latin church's use of azymes (unleavened bread) in her liturgy. To my knowledge, this letter--more a libellus than a letter--has not been translated into English. This is unfortunate, since it is a rather early, comprehensive account of papal power that anticipates the Gregorian reforms. Ironically, a close reading of Leo's letter (which may have been partly or wholly written by Cdl. Humbert) show that Leo is no ultramontanist. Though he forcefully defends a form of petrine primacy, as well as the privileges of his office, he makes a number of concessions that Orthodox ecclesiologists might appreciate today. For example, the pope is recognized by and beholden to the ecumenical councils. His temporal power was granted by the emperor Constantine (in the famous Donation, which is quoted here at length) and his primacy in the church was acknowledged and confirmed by the emperor Justinian. Peter was given a special mandate to confirm the rest of the episcopate in preserving the apostolic tradition. The pope, as in Möhler's scheme, is not the origin of this tradition nor the origin of the church's unity, but a keystone that is essential for keeping the whole "arch" of the church together. Thus I would contend that Leo's concept of the papacy is half-way between the minimalist view of certain Orthodox thinkers (such as Fr. Thomas Hopko or Fr. Alexander Schmemann) and the high-papalist views of a de Maistre, Pius IX, or even current office-holder of the throne of Peter.
In time I hope to upload a more properly "englished" form of this letter.
Here is the second letter sent by Bishop Leo of Ochrid to the bishops of southern Italy. This and... more Here is the second letter sent by Bishop Leo of Ochrid to the bishops of southern Italy. This and the third letter were lost until the 19th century. In this letter, Leo further expounds his typological and symbolic argument against the fittingness of unleavened bread in the eucharistic liturgy.
Here is a draft translation of the letter that started it all! This letter is the immediate cause... more Here is a draft translation of the letter that started it all! This letter is the immediate cause of the breakdown of relations between Rome and Constantinople.
In this paper, I explore the ideas of the reform papacy in order to better understand aspects of ... more In this paper, I explore the ideas of the reform papacy in order to better understand aspects of the crusades and the Great Schism that followed.
In this paper, I explore Scotus' much maligned theory of the univocity of being, in order to see ... more In this paper, I explore Scotus' much maligned theory of the univocity of being, in order to see if there may be some rapprochement between his and Aquinas' systems.
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Drafts by Joseph Ahmad
In time I hope to upload a more properly "englished" form of this letter.
In time I hope to upload a more properly "englished" form of this letter.