Pavel Shchelin, an Orthodox political theologian who teaches Plutarch, explores how ancient biographies expose recurring patterns of ambition and authority. He discusses religion’s hidden role in politics, Cicero’s rhetorical age versus later men of command, and how Plutarch’s stories mirror modern elites. Short, vivid takes on power, passion, and the symbolism shaping history.
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insights INSIGHT
History As A Mirror For Human Passions
History becomes a mirror when read as didactic stories that teach about human passions and power rather than dry facts.
Pavel Shchelin argues Plutarch centers the hero's desire, letting us map timeless patterns of ambition and failure onto modern politics.
insights INSIGHT
Whom The Hero Serves Reveals Political Patterns
Plutarch's Lives focus on the man and his ruling desire so readers can identify which principle a hero serves and predict actions.
Shchelin says this lets us separate recurring human patterns from changing contexts and apply them to today's politics.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Cicero's Triumph Turned Moral Burden
Cicero prevents the Catiline conspiracy by speaking, gaining fame as Rome's savior but then faces the moral burden of ordering executions.
Plutarch shows Cicero hesitates to make ultimate decisions, revealing his lack of spiritual foundation for power.
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This is a conversation between Deacon Seraphim Rohlin and Pavel Shchelin on political theology, power, and Plutarch’s Lives. They explore how ancient biographies reveal enduring patterns of ambition, authority, and the human passions that shape political history—from Rome to the modern world. Topics include Cicero, rhetoric and power, the fall of the Roman Republic, and why the stories of ancient statesmen still help us understand today’s political landscape.
YouTube version: https://youtu.be/Wo2IkgDT0q4
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NEW COURSE: Plutarch: Symbolism in History with Pavel Shchelin The problem with history is that you are in it. Plutarch teaches us to read power symbolically—asking "whom does the hero serve?" to predict leadership patterns before they play out. Presenter: Pavel Shchelin Duration: 8 weeks studying the lives of Greeks and Roman Lycurgus, Alcibiades, Lysander, Pompey, Caesar, and Octavian –as living patterns, not dead men. Live classes are on Wednesdays at 4-6pm Eastern Time, starting March 18th through May 6th, 2026. Price: $180 USD, get the early bird discount of 15% off if you register by March 18th. Register now: https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/courses/plutarch-symbolism-in-history
SUMMIT 2026: Join us for the Symbolic World Summit 2026! Speakers include Fr. Josiah Trenham, Mary Harrington, Jonathan Pageau, Dn. Seraphim Rohlin, and others. Date: May 14-16 Place: Broadview Heights, OH Buy your tickets now and get $50 off with the early bird sale through March 12th. Don't miss out! Hope to see you there: https://symbolicworldsummit.com/
Timestamps: 00:00 - Coming up 01:32 - Intro music 01:58 - Introduction 03:47 - The separation of religion and politics 07:44 - Current politics 09:20 - How they met 10:46 - Why Plutarch? 18:46 - If you were pointing a video camera 20:20 - Great men 24:28 - Plutarch's Lives 26:57 - Influence 28:40 - Cicero 49:18 - Digging his own grave 56:58 - Word and will 01:05:48 - Cicero's lesson for us 01:10:58 - Course info 01:16:06 - The point of studying history
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