Geek Orthodox

In this introductory episode, we begin a second “season” of the Geek Orthodox podcast, “The World of Code”, with two new summaries of the first season: one generated by AI, the other by yours truly.

This guest-lecture at Simon Fraser University on Biblical intertextuality in fantasy and science fiction focuses on three excerpts from the works of J.R.R. Tolkien (Gandalf’s fight with the Balrog in The Lord of the Rings), C.S. Lewis (Chapter 20 of Out of the Silent Planet), and John Wyndham (an excerpt from The Day of the … Continue reading "Biblical Echoes in Fantasy and

The keynote address I gave at Doxacon Seattle in 2019 on the trope of transformation in fantasy literature and its importance, alongside the importance of our embodiment, for our identity.

In which I read to you an essay I wrote long ago, in a faraway land called St. Vladimir’s Seminary. Source: The full text of the original essay can be found here, on ChristianFantasy.com Related: My favourite wedding homily, “Mawidge and True Love”, from my other podcast, Translating the Tradition

In which I reflect on some of the echoes of Arthurian legend in Lewis and Tolkien, and on some of the influence and significance of the death of Arthur for me Show Notes: Tolkien: Lewis: “When the Pevensie children had returned to Narnia last time for their second visit, it was (for the Narnians) as … Continue reading "Conclusion of The Deaths of Arthur"

In which King Arthur and his death are presented in their most perfectly poetic and Christian form Show Notes: Date: AD 1859-1885 “The Last Tournament” Isolt tells Tristam her response to the news he was married:“‘I will flee hence and give myself to God’”, to which he jokingly replies:Then Tristram, ever dallying with her hand,“May … Continue re

In which we dive into the definitive English rendition of the legend of King Arthur to examine Sir Thomas Malory’s complex and nuanced handling of the causes and implications of King Arthur’s death Show Notes:

In which we examine the transition from the treatment of Arthur as a primarily historical to a primarily literary figure in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain, and the resultant changes to the handling and implications of Arthur’s death Show Notes: 1. Geoffrey of Monmouth, History of the Kings of Britain 2. … Continue reading "The First Literary Death

In which we begin our in-depth engagement with “The Deaths of Arthur” by examining the historical context and sources for Arthur and the significance of his death. Show Notes: Historical Context: Roman Britain, AD 43 – AD 410 1. Annals of Wales Notes: 2. Gildas, “On the Ruin and Conquest of Britain” 3. Nennius, The … Continue reading "The Historical Deat

In which I outline my intentions for the podcast. Show Notes: My introductory essay on Orthodox Christian “baptism of culture” and on my related intention for this site to be a point of Orthodox Christian engagement with geek subculture