Matthew Hoskin, Professional Nerd
@mjjhoskin.bsky.social
PhD in Classics & Church History. Monks, manuscripts, popes, canon law. Prof of Christian History at Davenant Hall.
If you, like Antony, face temptation, follow his example. He would "fortify his body with faith, prayers, and fasting." (Athanasius, Life of Antony 5)
August 6, 2025 at 8:42 PM
If you, like Antony, face temptation, follow his example. He would "fortify his body with faith, prayers, and fasting." (Athanasius, Life of Antony 5)
O GOD, who on the holy mount didst reveal to chosen witnesses thy well-beloved Son wonderfully transfigured: Mercifully grant unto us such a vision of his divine majesty, that we, being purified and strengthened by thy grace, may be transformed into his likeness from glory to glory; through...
August 6, 2025 at 2:55 PM
O GOD, who on the holy mount didst reveal to chosen witnesses thy well-beloved Son wonderfully transfigured: Mercifully grant unto us such a vision of his divine majesty, that we, being purified and strengthened by thy grace, may be transformed into his likeness from glory to glory; through...
Seasonal reading for tomorrow
August 5, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Seasonal reading for tomorrow
Gregory the Great has wisdom for preaching to the diversity of people found in a single congregation. Take heed!
July 23, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Gregory the Great has wisdom for preaching to the diversity of people found in a single congregation. Take heed!
Happy Ascension Day!
May 29, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Happy Ascension Day!
Lunchtime reading
May 6, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Lunchtime reading
Necessary purchase in preparation for 2026, when I get to teach King Arthur!
April 22, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Necessary purchase in preparation for 2026, when I get to teach King Arthur!
This counts as research, right?
April 8, 2025 at 10:20 PM
This counts as research, right?
There is no fundamental distinction between the higher and lower mythologies. Their peoples live, if they live at all, by the same life, just as in the mortal world do kings and peasants. - Tolkien, On Fairy-Stories
April 8, 2025 at 1:35 PM
There is no fundamental distinction between the higher and lower mythologies. Their peoples live, if they live at all, by the same life, just as in the mortal world do kings and peasants. - Tolkien, On Fairy-Stories
Preparing to teach the councils. Still time to register before term starts on Monday! davenanthall.com/course/seven...
April 1, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Preparing to teach the councils. Still time to register before term starts on Monday! davenanthall.com/course/seven...
Good morning! A spot for a little work.
March 22, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Good morning! A spot for a little work.
Something Irish with something Welsh.
March 22, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Something Irish with something Welsh.
This week's collect refers to evil thoughts which assault and hurt the soul. Cranmer wasn't thinking of Evagrius, but I am! The evil thoughts lure us from focus on God to being distracted by distraction (from distraction). They harm by enticing us to sin, the true harm that wounds.
And so we pray.
And so we pray.
March 21, 2025 at 6:56 PM
This week's collect refers to evil thoughts which assault and hurt the soul. Cranmer wasn't thinking of Evagrius, but I am! The evil thoughts lure us from focus on God to being distracted by distraction (from distraction). They harm by enticing us to sin, the true harm that wounds.
And so we pray.
And so we pray.
I've got a copy of my very own.
March 21, 2025 at 1:35 PM
I've got a copy of my very own.
This was tonight's bedtime book with the boys.
March 20, 2025 at 11:17 PM
This was tonight's bedtime book with the boys.
Happy St Patrick's Day!
March 17, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Happy St Patrick's Day!
My latest, "The Psalms at Prayer and Worship in Ireland" is live. Cross-posted as per image and my W-press site.
February 22, 2025 at 7:56 PM
My latest, "The Psalms at Prayer and Worship in Ireland" is live. Cross-posted as per image and my W-press site.
The Book of Taliesin, translated by Gwyneth Lewis and Rowan Williams (yes, the former Archbp of Canterbury).
February 8, 2025 at 7:56 PM
The Book of Taliesin, translated by Gwyneth Lewis and Rowan Williams (yes, the former Archbp of Canterbury).
Good morning!
January 28, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Good morning!
He stood, and measured the earth (Habbakuk 3:6). This morning's reading led my mind immediately to this famous ms image c. 1250.
January 27, 2025 at 7:56 PM
He stood, and measured the earth (Habbakuk 3:6). This morning's reading led my mind immediately to this famous ms image c. 1250.
Happy Feast of St John Chrysostom, orator, monk, preacher, bishop, exile.
January 27, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Happy Feast of St John Chrysostom, orator, monk, preacher, bishop, exile.
Tonight's entertainment: Dragonlance and St Romanos the Melodist, washed down with St Bernardus. (Yes, in a Chimay glass. I hope Belgium will forgive me.)
January 27, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Tonight's entertainment: Dragonlance and St Romanos the Melodist, washed down with St Bernardus. (Yes, in a Chimay glass. I hope Belgium will forgive me.)
Teaching Adomnan's Life of St Columba tonight!
January 24, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Teaching Adomnan's Life of St Columba tonight!
Where I'm posting from...
January 16, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Where I'm posting from...