John Climacus perceived an intricate, conflicted self ascending to God on a ladder. Rejecting gyno-idolatry and loving God are necessary, differing stages. … Read the post intricate, conflicted self in Climacus’s Ladder of Divine Ascent
Liudprand’s Antapodosis tells of a Byzantine wife who opposed war on women & guilefully saved her husband from castration. Women of the world, do likewise! … Read the post against war on women: Byzantine wife saves husband from castration
Like Bishop Nonnus seeing Pelagia, the monk John Climacus valued men’s sexuality and taught that worldly love provides the pattern for divine love. … Read the post John Climacus endorsed Bishop Nonnus gazing on actress-dancer Pelagia
In 11th-century Byzantium, Symeon the New Theologian brought his masculine being, including penis, to experiencing divine eros & union with God (theosis). … Read the post Symeon the New Theologian overcame Christian gender disadvantage
The Arian Baptistry mosaic is centered on Jesus’s navel, indicating his cosmic centrality. But it also shows his penis, identifying him with earthly men. … Read the post Arian Baptistry mosaic centered on Jesus’s navel