Ancient Practices for Modern Faith: A Discussion with Dr. Zachary Guiliano

I chat with Dr. Zachary Juliano, rector of Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal Church and author of the book, The Homiliary of Paul the Deacon, about what early church practice (especially the second to fifth centuries) can teach contemporary Christians seeking to anchor themselves in historic theology. We explore how ancient Christians shaped daily and weekly spiritual rhythms around light, seasons, and the “gift of time,” including the imagery of Lent and Easter in patristic preaching. We focus on fasting as an assumed, communal discipline tied to days like Friday and seasons like Lent, and we discuss practical patristic advice and Basil of Caesarea’s list of fasting’s benefits. We also cover acts of mercy as a distinctive Christian witness, public theology as Christianity moved into public life, and how scripture was encountered communally through reading, sermons, and embodied worship. We end with recommended books by Frances Young and Kate Cooper and patristic commentaries on the Lord’s Prayer.