We often think of Byzantium in terms of emperors, mosaics, and theological debates, but this episode with Dr. Thomas Arentzen (Sankt Ignatios College (Stockholm) uncovers a hidden Byzantine world: one where trees weren’t just resources but symbols, spiritual beings, and even moral teachers. You’ll discover how trees played a vital role in Byzantine religious thought, from the Garden of Eden to the wood of the Cross, and how monks, mystics, and emperors interpreted nature as divine revelation. We’ll explore rare Byzantine manuscripts, frescoes, and hagiographies where trees are more than scenery—they speak, heal, and bear witness to history. As we face ecological crises, could Byzantium’s deep-rooted respect for trees inspire new ways of thinking about conservation, climate change, and the ethics of how we engage with the natural world? Listen to all that in our latest episode!