New lecture recording available: György Geréby, One Sword or Two? On the Byzantine Theology of Power

The Koch History Centre has uploaded a recording of its first public lecture for the 2025–26 theme, Religion and the State.

In One Sword or Two? On the Byzantine Theology of Power, György Geréby explores competing medieval Christian understandings of the relationship between spiritual and temporal authority. While western writers increasingly asserted distinct, but unequal spheres of responsibility, Byzantine traditions emphasised the interdependence of empire and priesthood in sustaining Christian order, even at moments of relative political weakness. Thus, while in the West there were two swords to be wielded, in the East, imperial and priestly authority were ideally united within a single sacred Christian order.

The recording is now available to watch on the Koch History Centre website and on our new YouTube channel, where it forms part of our Religion and the State playlist.