Episode 4:

Anders interviews His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, the Coptic Archbishop of London. The Coptic Church has its metropolitan see in Alexandria, the birthplace of St Athanasius, the key Theologian of the Council, and his Patriarch, Alexander. The Coptic Church is part of a family of Churches which did not subscribe to the doctrines of the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD. But Copts are strong adherents of the earlier Councils, and regard Athanasius very much as one of their great saintly forbears. Archbishop Angaelos reflects with Anders on the significance of Nicaea and the Nicene-Constantinopolitan creed for his community today. In its heartland, Egypt, a Muslim majority country today, the Coptic Church has had its struggles and has known real concern. It remains a courageous witness to the Nicene faith.

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Episode 3:

William interviews His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain. He is the leading Eastern Orthodox Bishop in England. Archbishop Nikitas was the son of Greek parents who lived in the US. His ministry has been international, serving for many years in Far East. He has been Archbishop since his election by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in June 2019. In April, with Lord Chartres, he led a ecumenical pilgrimage to Nicaea, organised by the Anglican and Eastern Churches Association. William poses questions about the Eastern Orthodox perspective on Nicaea, the date of Easter and the contentious subject of the Filioque.

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The decision is made to call a Council to find a doctrinal formulation about the person of Jesus Christ which all might unite around was Constantine’s aim. The Bishops gathered at Nicaea to debate the proposals. The choices were between the the teachings of the popular and enticing Arius and the serious but little known deacon, Athanasius. Amongst those in attendance were St Nicholas of Myra (Father Christmas in popular culture who existed as a reputed Bishop). The debates were serious and lasted over a month in the breezy tranquil imperial resort of Nicaea in the Asian side of the Bosphorus. After intervention from the Emperor himself the Bishops voted for Athanasius’s contention that the Son was “of the same substance” as the Father. The Arian controversy was seemingly ended. However neither Arianism nor Trinitarian discussions were at an end. They were only just beginning.

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Anders and William explore the world of the early 4 th century AD and examine the background. The Emperor Constantine saw his reign as that of a new Augustus and longed for a strong and unified empire but doctrinal ructions in Alexandria threatened this new age.

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Welcome to the 3rd Season of the Church Uncovered
Nicaea Uncovered

The history of the Council of Nicaea is fascinating. In this season William and Anders tackle this important happening with an array of special guests.

Hosts: William Gulliford & Anders Bergquist

Produced by: Emily Kolltveit.

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Episode 7

Music and the Coronation

Dr Matthias Range

Has published widely in both history and music, with the focus of his interdisciplinary research being sacred music and religious culture since the sixteenth century. An area of particular interest is the history of the British monarchy, which is the topic of his major book publications. He currently works as a post-doctoral researcher for the Digital Image Archive of Medieval Music at the Faculty of Music, University of Oxford. His book Music and Ceremonial at British Coronations CUP 2013 is one of the key works on Coronation Music.

Dr Grahame Davies CVO

He spent 12 years in the Royal Household from where, as Deputy Private Secretary, he oversaw the music for the Coronation of King Charles III, and the Honours of Scotland ceremony, as well as leading the project to create the Cross of Wales, which led the Coronation procession. He is the author of 19 books in Welsh and English and a winner of the Wales Book of the Year Award. He has a degree in English from Anglia Ruskin University, a doctorate from Cardiff University, honorary doctorates of letters from Anglia Ruskin and Aberdeen Universities and is an honorary Professor of Practice of the University of Wales. Since November 2023 he has been Director of Mission and Strategy for the Church in Wales.

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Episode 6

Syed, Lord Kamall

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport between 20 September 2022 and 28 October 2022. He was previously Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Technology, Innovation and Life Sciences at the Department of Health and Social Care between 17 September 2021 and 20 September 2022. He was made a life peer on 11 February 2021. Syed is Professor of Politics and International Relations at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. Lord Kamall is a practising Muslim and presented the Armills to HM The King, at the 2023 Coronation. His recent publications include Examining the Commonwealth’s Future Role Journal of Parliaments of the Commonwealth 2023.

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Episode 5

Ecumenical Developments in 2023

Catherine Pepinster

Roman Catholic Journalist, author and broadcaster. Editor of The Tablet 2004-2017. Contributor to The Times, The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, The Observer, and for specialist sites. Catherine has been a contributor to Thought for the Day on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme for 19 years. Her publications include: Defenders of the Faith – the British Monarchy, Religion and the Next Coronation, published by Hodder and Stoughton 2023 and The British and the Papacy from John Paul II to Francis T&T Clark 2017. She is also a trustee of Bible Society, National Churches Trust and Kaleidoscope Project.

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