Scholars of the Sacred

“James Likoudis makes here a welcome contribution to the great ecumenical effort, reminding us of both the complicated and nuanced history of the Great Schism and of the many dedicated ‘moderate and noble spirits who desired an end to all schismatic activity and sought the purification of memories to prepare for a dialogue of charity’ which would restore the unity of Greek East and Latin West in common communion, particularly those of the Order of Preachers and their primary Orthodox interlocutors, whose contributions to the unity efforts of the early second Christian millennium ought not be underestimated. Likoudis reminds us that fidelity to Christ and his Church is also always fidelity to dialogue and reconciliation with our brothers and sisters in Christ.”

“This is a privileged peek into work that goes on unceasingly behind the scenes—a work of diligent charity and uncompromising scholarship, all in the service of the unity Christ desires. It is a work that yields no earthly glory. Readers will find very few familiar names here. While the protagonists of this story patiently make history, histories rarely take note of them. Thanks to James Likoudis for, at last, giving the credit and the glory where they’re due.”

“Scholars of the Sacred collects Likoudis’ writings on Dominican contributions to the cause of unity between the eastern and western churches before the Council of Florence. The essays are useful as reminders of a neglected history and as studies in sacred doctrine, but more than once they also remind the reader that the unity of the Church is a supernatural reality of mind and heart—and one that suffers gravely when we begin to disdain or defy the successor of St Peter, the Church’s earthly guardian of unity.”

“The cause of durable ecclesial union requires a fair and informed hearing of those Catholic authors who have historically concerned themselves with the theological and jurisdictional issues surrounding such reunion. Although Thomism is not the Catholic Church’s sole philosophical or theological spokesperson, it surely represents her most important theological school. Therefore, it is to be hoped that Likoudis’ text might serve as an introduction to the important task of listening to classic Thomist readings of Orthodox thought.”

"Dr. Likoudis’s book is a must-read for anyone interested in the Catholic Church’s history. He offers a concise and insightful description of the work of often unheralded Dominican scholars’ efforts to effect unity within the Catholic Church in the late Medieval Byzantium period."