Theoria Audiobooks
Theoria Audiobooks offers professionally produced audiobooks distributed free of charge. The goal is to promote patristic literacy and encourage lifelong learning. The podcast is part of the Theoria TV network, with additional content available on their Substack page.
Episodes
On the Resurrection by Saint Athenagoras
Athenagoras of Athens, an early Christian apologist of the 2nd century, authored On the Resurrection of the Dead around 177 AD to address both pagan skepticism and philosophical misunderstandings surrounding the bodily resurrection. In a Greco-Roman world where Platonic and Stoic thought dominated the masses, many viewed the resurrection of the body as either impossible or undesirable. Athenagoras
Against Heresies: Book 5 (Irenaeus of Lyons)
The fifth and final book of Against Heresies by Saint Irenaeus of Lyons begins by reaffirming the teachings of the Church, which have been preserved from the prophets through Christ and the apostles. He emphasizes the importance of the apostolic tradition and the integrity of the Church in maintaining the true faith. This foundation is crucial as he addresses the false teachings that have emerged,
To Autolycus (Theophilus of Antioch)
To Autolycus is an apologetic work by Theophilus of Antioch, written around 180 A.D. Although not much is known about the life of Theophilus, Eusebius and Jerome note that he was a defender against heresies. Sadly, To Autolycus is his only extant work. In 168 A.D. he became bishop of Antioch where he served until around 182 A.D. It bears noting here that this Theophilus of Antioch is not the same
Tatian's Address to the Greeks
Tatian's "Address to the Greeks," was written around 160-170 A.D. Originally a pagan, Tatian converted to Christianity after encountering Justin Martyr's teachings in Rome. After Justin's martyrdom, Tatian returned to Syria and established an influential Christian school. In "Address to the Greeks," Tatian condemns Greek moral decay and philosophical inconsistencies, asserting that many Greek idea
Against Heresies: Book 4 (Irenaeus of Lyons)
Book 4 of Against Heresies – the longest of the five books – is a critical defense of early Christian orthodoxy, addressing and refuting Gnostic beliefs. A significant portion of the Book defends the Old Testament against Gnostic claims of its irrelevance. In light of the Gnostic claim of secret knowledge, Irenaeus hearkens to Apostolic Tradition, noting its centrality to the Christian faith. He a
Against Heresies: Book 3 (Irenaeus of Lyons)
In Book 3 of Against Heresies, Saint Irenaeus of Lyons continues his refutation of Gnostic teachings and elaborates on the unity and truth of the Christian faith. He begins by pointing out that the Apostles did not speak about the mysteries of God until they received gifts and power from the Holy Spirit. The fact that we have an unbroken lineage from the Apostles to our own day points to this powe
Against Heresies: Book 2 (Irenaeus of Lyons)
Within the Second Book of Against Heresies, Saint Irenaeus endeavors yet again to lay bare the sophistries of the gnostic sects by demonstrating that neither the angels nor any supposed Demiurge distinct from a higher, supreme God created the universe. Instead, he shows that there is but one God – and it is this one God who created the Universe. Building upon his work in the first book, he further
Against Heresies: Book 1 (Irenaeus of Lyons)
Against Heresies by Saint Irenaeus is a critique of the emerging heretical doctrines of the second century. Written around 180 A.D by the prominent Bishop of Lyons, the monumental work showcases Irenaeus’ comprehensive understanding of Sacred Scripture and Apostolic Tradition, as he passionately refutes the teachings of the Marcions and gnostics. Composed of five books total, Book1 of Against Here
Dialogue with Trypho by Saint Justin Martyr
The Dialogue with Trypho, composed around 155-160 AD, is a foundational work by the early Christian philosopher and apologist Saint Justin Martyr. Structured as a Socratic dialogue, it records Justin's debate with a Jewish man named Trypho, representing the contemporary discourse between Christians and Jews. In a dialectical style, Justin aims to demonstrate how the messianic prophecies of the Old
The Second Apology of Saint Justin Martyr
The second apology of Saint Justin Martyr was written during the second century as a defense of the Christian Faith against unjust persecution. At the time, Christianity was seen as a threat to the established pagan religious practices, resulting in sporadic outbreaks of violence against Christians.Tragically, the defense offered by Saint Justin Martyr was not enough to protect him from persecutio
The First Apology of Justin Martyr
The First Apology of Saint Justin Martyr was written around 155 AD during a time of Christian persecution under Emperor Antoninus Pius and his sons. The aim of the letter: to argue against the persecution of the Church and defend the teachings of Christianity. As a seasoned philosopher, Saint Justin examines the role of reason and philosophy in the pursuit of truth, emphasizing that Christianity i
The Epistle of Barnabas (Audiobook)
Dated somewhere between the late first and early second century A.D., the Epistle of Barnabas is a work traditionally attributed to Barnabas, a companion of the Apostle Paul. The author's meticulous employment of typology, which seeks to draw meaningful connections between the events, people, and institutions of the Old Testament and their counterparts in the New Testament, gives a kind of divine
The Martyrdom of Ignatius (Audiobook)
This account of the martyrdom of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, which was written by Ignatius's compatriots Philo of Cilicia and Rheus Agathopus who were eyewitnesses of his death, is testament to the Bishop's unwavering faith and fearless commitment to Jesus Christ. According to Tradition, the Saint drew courage by repeating the name of Jesus Christ – whom he claimed to carry with him by the etching
The Epistles of Saint Ignatius of Antioch (Audiobook)
Saint Ignatius of Antioch, who was born around 35 A.D., was a direct disciple of the Apostles Peter and John, who taught him the faith and later ordained him to be the third bishop of Antioch according to Saint John Chrisostom. Like many early Christians, Saint Ignatius underwent persecution at the hands of the Roman Emperor; eventually, he was arrested and condemned to death in the arena in Rome.
The Martyrdom of Polycarp (Audiobook)
The Martyrdom of the second-century bishop, Polycarp, stands as a testimony to unwavering faith and enduring devotion to Christ in the early Christian church. Preserved by Saint Irenaeus of Lyon, who meticulously documented the accounts of Polycarp's fellow disciples, this account of Polycarp's martyrdom portends the grim-yet-glorious future awaiting many followers of Christ in the next two centur
The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians
The life of the first century Bishop of Smyrna and disciple of the Apostle John, Saint Polycarp, stands as a faithful witness to the enduring power of the Gospel. Polycarp's epistle to the Philippians, written in the latter part of the second century, is the only extant letter of many believed to be written by the Smyrnaean bishop. In it, he encourages the Philippians congregation to persevere in
The Letter of Mathetes to Diognetus
The following Epistle bears no signature or authorial identification beyond "Mathetes," which means "disciple" or "learner" in Greek. Although the earliest manuscripts of the letter come to us from the thirteen and fourteenth centuries, it is believed that it was written in the early second century A.D.Although its intended recipient, Diognetus, remains somewhat of an enigma as well, he is believe
The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians
Written sometime in the first century, the First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians offers valuable insights into the early Church's understanding of ecclesiology, pastoral care, and the exercise of authority. Traditionally, Saint Clement of Rome, who is revered as the second or third bishop of Rome and a direct witness to the traditions passed down from the apostle Peter himself, is believed t
The Didache (Full Audiobook)
The Didache, which means "teaching" in Greek, is a first century Christian document that presents practical instructions for living the Christian life. From the start, the writer is emphatic that “there are two paths to follow: one is life and the other is death." And that "There is a profound difference between the two.” This theme of life and death is weaved throughout the manuscript. As one of
On Gender and the Soul (Audiobook)
Theoria audiobooks is dedicated to producing Orthodox Christian audiobooks and making them available for free. If you appreciate this work, please consider supporting our efforts below.FROM THE BACK OF THE BOOK:Is the soul gendered? While various answers to this question have been finding their way into mainstream Christian media over the past few years, the question itself has remained unasked –
