Schmemann Speaks
Schmemann Speaks is a podcast featuring the words and wisdom of Fr Alexander Schmemann (1921–1983), from the archives of St Vladimir's Seminary. His words—captured decades ago—are anything but dated. They are further proof that Fr Alexander remains a voice for our time. The podcast is part of St Vladimir's "Year of Schmemann" celebrations, commemorating 100 years since the birth of the Seminary's beloved and renowned former dean and professor.
Episodes
16 episodes
Mary: The 'Well-Guarded Secret', Part IX
The discussion concerning temple imagery continues, and Fr Alexander also explores the nature of sacrifice and how it relates to Mary.
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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1:01:35
Mary: The 'Well-Guarded Secret', Part VIII
Father Alexander explores the theme of the temple—one of the key symbols of Christian faith and doctrine, and discusses what the Church means by associating Mary so strongly with temple imagery.
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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53:12
Mary: The 'Well-Guarded Secret', Part VII
In this episode, Fr Alexander discusses Mary as the new Eve, Eve as fundamental to mankind becoming fully itself, and woman as the climax of the world given to us. He also explains why the creation and relationship of man and woman is so critic...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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41:09
Mary: The 'Well-Guarded Secret', Part VI
As he explores the Feast of Nativity, Fr Alexander defines the "double mystery" of Mary's virginity and points to Old Testament prophecies. He also explains why it is important that Mary is NOT an "exception" within the human race, in contrast ...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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46:51
Mary: The 'Well-Guarded Secret', Part V
Fr Alexander speaks about the liturgical poetry of the Feast of Nativity, and he stresses the importance of properly understanding the virginity of Mary—that it is not about absence, but fullness.
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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59:38
Mary: The 'Well-Guarded Secret', Part IV
Father Alexander discusses the miracle of the virgin birth, first addressing what is a miracle and what is not.
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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24:34
Mary: The 'Well-Guarded Secret', Part III
Father Alexander turns to a fundamental question in his discussion of the explosion of Mariology in the early Church: Who is Christ?
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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50:04
Mary: The 'Well-Guarded Secret', Part II
There was a "substantial difference" between early Christian worship and the liturgy of the Church after Constantine with regard to Mary. What happened? To address this, Fr Alexander points to the eschatological experience of the early Church a...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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59:20
Mary: The 'Well-Guarded Secret', Part I
How do we explain the "silence" regarding Mary in the early Church, before the "Mariological explosion" in Christianity during the first millennium? Fr Alexander begins a brief historical study of the veneration of Mary with this critical quest...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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47:52
Mary: The 'Well-Guarded Secret' (Introduction)
Fr Alexander says he speaks about Mary with "fear and trembling," not only because of the difficulty of the subject, but "I really feel that to speak about Mary is a tremendous test, first for theology itself..." To speak about her...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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1:00:53
The Virgin Mary
“In thee rejoices the whole creation, O full of grace!” But why? Father Alexander explains why understanding these words regarding Mary, the Mother of God, is essential to our understanding of the world and the challenges we face. He speaks of ...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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1:01:04
The Precious Cross
Some try to “look” holy, but they are missing something. As the Church moves beyond Mid-Lent toward Holy Week, Schmemann explains why there is no Christianity without the Precious and Life-Giving Cross.
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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53:37
The Problem of Religion
“Religion itself, because of secularism...is also the victim of a tremendous confusion.” Father Alexander Schmemann discusses "religion," "secularism," and reasons one should not come to the Church.
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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57:26
Discern the Spirits
“No one can today doubt that we are in a deep crisis—not only political, not only economic, but first of all a spiritual crisis.” But the battle is not between structures and systems. So, Fr Alexander says, we must “discern the spirits...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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55:45
Faith as Conversion, Part II
In this second part of Fr Alexander's discussion on "Faith as Conversion," he transitions from the question, “What is conversion in terms of our faith?” to “What is our conversion in terms of our Christian life?” Discussing the essential role t...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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44:15