Changes

In 970 the Byzantine emperor John I Tzimiskes transplanted 200,000 Armenian Paulicians to Europe and settled them in the neighborhood of Philippopolis (today's Plovdiv in Thrace). Bogomilism as an outcome of the many factors of unrest that had arisen in the beginning of the 10th century was also strongly influenced by the Paulicians who had been driven out of [[Armenia]]. The earliest description of the Bogomils is in a letter from Patriarch Theophylact of Bulgaria to Tsar Peter of Bulgaria.  

In 970 the Byzantine emperor John I Tzimiskes transplanted 200,000 Armenian Paulicians to Europe and settled them in the neighborhood of Philippopolis (today's Plovdiv in Thrace). Bogomilism as an outcome of the many factors of unrest that had arisen in the beginning of the 10th century was also strongly influenced by the Paulicians who had been driven out of [[Armenia]]. The earliest description of the Bogomils is in a letter from Patriarch Theophylact of Bulgaria to Tsar Peter of Bulgaria.  

Much of Bogomil literature has been lost or was destroyed by the contemporary Christian Churches. The main source of doctrinal information is the work of Euthymius Zigabenus, who says that they believe that God created man's soul but matter was the invention of Satan, God's older son, who in seducing Eve lost his creative power. Concerning the Bogomils, something can be gathered from the polemic ''Against the Newly-Appeared Heresy of the Bogomils'' written in Slavonic by Cosmas the Priest, a 10th-century Bulgarian official.  

Much of Bogomil literature has been lost or was destroyed by the contemporary Christian Churches. The main source of doctrinal information is the work of Euthymius Zigabenus, who says that they believe that God created man's soul but matter was the invention of Satan, God's older son, who in seducing Eve lost his creative power. Concerning the Bogomils, something can be gathered from the polemic ''Against the Newly-Appeared Heresy of the Bogomils'' written in Slavonic by Cosmas the Priest, a 10th-century Bulgarian official. The Slavonic sources are unanimous on the point that the teaching of the priest Bogomil was Manichaean. The names of Bogomil's pupils or "apostles", were said to be Mihail, Todur, Dobri, Stefan, Vasilie and Peter. Zealous missionaries carried the doctrines of Bogomil far and wide.  

1000 - 11th century

1000 - 11th century

The state religion of the Uighur kingdom of Turkestan in Central Asia remained Manichaeism and this territory itself became part of the [[Islamic world when Turkestan was conquered. Around the year 1000, Islamic writers such as Ebn al-Nadim were writing about Manichaeism <ref>See Ebn al-Nadim, al-FEHREST iii. The Representation of Manicheism in the Fehrest.</ref>.  

The state religion of the Uighur kingdom of Turkestan in Central Asia remained Manichaeism and this territory itself became part of the [[Islamic world when Turkestan was conquered. Around the year 1000, Islamic writers such as Ebn al-Nadim were writing about Manichaeism <ref>See Ebn al-Nadim, al-FEHREST iii. The Representation of Manicheism in the Fehrest.</ref>.  

The Bogomils first appeared in the tenth-eleventh century in the Balkans between about 1000 and 1400. They arose as Christian heretics who promulgated a neo-Gnostic [[Anarchism|anarchic]] dualist doctrine in Bulgaria, and spread throughout the Byzantine Empire. Much may also be learned from the doctrines of the numerous ''variations'' of Bogomilism which spread in Medieval Kievan Rus' after the 11th century.  

The Bogomils first appeared in the tenth-eleventh century in the Balkans between about 1000 and 1400. They arose as Christian heretics who promulgated a neo-Gnostic [[Anarchism|anarchic]] dualist doctrine in Bulgaria, and spread throughout the Byzantine Empire.  

 

In 1004, scarcely 25 years after the introduction of Christianity into Kievan Rus (Ukraine), we hear of a priest Adrian teaching the same doctrines as the Bogomils. He was imprisoned by Leontius, Bishop of Kiev.  

In both scholarly and popular accounts, the commonly held view has often been repeated that late classical [[Manichaeism]] experienced a revival in the eleventh century, a notion going back to the [[Middle Ages]] when ‘Manichaean’ was used by the orthodox catholic Christian Church as a generic label for heretics from about the year 1000 onwards, and that in the three and half centuries between 1000 and 1350 variant forms of the doctrines of ‘Manichaeism’ had spread in Europe, where followers of those doctrines were commonly known as [[Cathar]]s, even if they did not properly belong explicitly to that particular sect.  

In both scholarly and popular accounts, the commonly held view has often been repeated that late classical [[Manichaeism]] experienced a revival in the eleventh century, a notion going back to the [[Middle Ages]] when ‘Manichaean’ was used by the orthodox catholic Christian Church as a generic label for heretics from about the year 1000 onwards, and that in the three and half centuries between 1000 and 1350 variant forms of the doctrines of ‘Manichaeism’ had spread in Europe, where followers of those doctrines were commonly known as [[Cathar]]s, even if they did not properly belong explicitly to that particular sect.  

Their criticism of the church attracted the accusation of being ‘Manichaeans,’ an epithet derived from the writings of Augustine. The existence of Manichaeans in Europe was first reported in 1020. Many similar reports were to follow.  

Their criticism of the church attracted the accusation of being ‘Manichaeans,’ an epithet derived from the writings of Augustine. The existence of Manichaeans in Europe was first reported in 1020. Many similar reports were to follow.  

The religious distribution at the time of the East–West Schism of 1054 shows Bogomils concentrated in the [[Balkans]].

The religious distribution at the time of the East–West Schism of 1054 shows the Bogomils concentrated in the [[Balkans]].

 

Much may also be learned from the doctrines of the numerous ''variations'' of Bogomilism which spread in Medieval Kievan Rus' after the 11th century.

1100 - 12th century

1100 - 12th century

Around the year 1150 the Bogomils were repeatedly condemned and persecuted by Emperor Manuel Komnenos without any apparent effect. The Bogomils spread west from the Balkans (Bosnia and Servia) into western Europe, where they became identified with the [[Cathar]]s.  

Around the year 1150 the Bogomils were repeatedly condemned and persecuted by Emperor Manuel Komnenos without any apparent effect. The Bogomils spread west from the Balkans (Bosnia and Servia) into western Europe, where they became identified with the [[Cathar]]s.  

The supposed influence of Manichaeism on the Cathars has been increasingly questioned, particularly as regards ''radical'' Catharism, because it was especially this variant of Catharism that was said to teach the same dualism as did the Manichaeans <ref>Söderberg; Dies.</ref>.  

The supposed influence of Manichaeism on the Cathars has been increasingly questioned, particularly as regards ''radical'' Catharism, because it was especially this variant of Catharism that was said to teach the same dualism as did the Manichaeans <ref>Söderberg; Dies.</ref>.  

The Cathars, like the Bogomils, claimed to be Christians. The Bogomils called for a return to what they considered to be early spiritual teaching, rejecting the authority of ecclesiastical [[hierarchy]], and their primary political tendencies were resistance to the leadership of state and church authorities. This helped the movement spread quickly in the Balkans, gradually expanding throughout the [[Byzantine Empire]] and later reaching Kievan Rus' (Ukraine), Bosnia (Bosnian Church), Dalmatia, Serbia, Italy, and France (Cathars).  

The Cathars, like the Bogomils, claimed to be Christians. The Bogomils called for a return to what they considered to be early spiritual teaching, rejecting the authority of ecclesiastical [[hierarchy]], and their primary political tendencies were resistance to the leadership of state and church authorities. This helped the movement spread quickly. The Bogomils spread westwards, gradually expanding throughout the [[Byzantine Empire]] and later in the Balkans, reaching Kievan Rus' (Ukraine), Bosnia (Bosnian Church), Dalmatia, Serbia, Italy, and France (Cathars), and settled in Serbia, where they were to be known as Babuns (Babuni).  

They differed from Catholic Christianity in teaching dualism and [[Docetism]], both of which had been [[dogma]]tically condemned as [[Heresy|heretical]]. The Bogomils were dualists or Gnostics in that they believed in a world within the body and a world outside the body, dual existences. They did not use the Christian cross, nor build churches, as they revered their gifted physical form and considered their body to be the temple. This gave rise to many forms of practice to cleanse oneself through "purging"<ref>The forms of purging adopted specifically by the Bogomils are not clear. Some ascetical sects in history have used self-flagellation, or beating themselves with knotted whips or cords or thorns, or wearing "hairshirts" (which constantly pricked and itched) next to the skin and genitals, holding a stone in the mouth for hours and days at a time, placing small coarse pebbles in their shoes, to voluntarily go speechless and mute, saying nothing, asking for nothing, never protesting or praising for any reason, all in order to "beat down" and "punish" the passions of the body, i.e. sexual desires, anger, resentment, longing for wine and good food, desire to acquire possessions, to have property, to gain reputation, to exercise authority over others, to marry and have children.</ref>, fasting, celebrating and dancing.  

They differed from Catholic Christianity in teaching dualism and [[Docetism]], both of which had been [[dogma]]tically condemned as [[Heresy|heretical]]. The Bogomils were dualists or Gnostics in that they believed in a world within the body and a world outside the body, dual existences. They did not use the Christian cross, nor build churches, as they revered their gifted physical form and considered their body to be the temple. This gave rise to many forms of practice to cleanse oneself through "purging"<ref>The forms of purging adopted specifically by the Bogomils are not clear. Some ascetical sects in history have used self-flagellation, or beating themselves with knotted whips or cords or thorns, or wearing "hairshirts" (which constantly pricked and itched) next to the skin and genitals, holding a stone in the mouth for hours and days at a time, placing small coarse pebbles in their shoes, to voluntarily go speechless and mute, saying nothing, asking for nothing, never protesting or praising for any reason, all in order to "beat down" and "punish" the passions of the body, i.e. sexual desires, anger, resentment, longing for wine and good food, desire to acquire possessions, to have property, to gain reputation, to exercise authority over others, to marry and have children.</ref>, fasting, celebrating and dancing.  

The inquisition was a church court that was intended to protect those accused of heresy against the overly eager harsh methods of secular princes and governors who cared little about the truthfulness of the charge of heresy and more about readily seizing the property and wealth of the accused, who included political rivals and potential insurgents protesting against governmental [[corruption]]. The inquisitional courts interrogated those suspected of Cathar sympathies, and the Cathar faithful and priests, in a brutal fashion. When they were found innocent, they were released. When they renounced their heretical beliefs, they were sentenced to do penance in a ''penetentiary'', sometimes for years, and afterward restored to the Church. When they were found to be guilty and unrepentant, they were remanded to the secular authority as incorrigible. Their property was declared forfeit, and they were forced under torture to betray others. The ''perfecti'' ("Perfect Ones") and other intransigent Cathars died at the stake.

The inquisition was a church court that was intended to protect those accused of heresy against the overly eager harsh methods of secular princes and governors who cared little about the truthfulness of the charge of heresy and more about readily seizing the property and wealth of the accused, who included political rivals and potential insurgents protesting against governmental [[corruption]]. The inquisitional courts interrogated those suspected of Cathar sympathies, and the Cathar faithful and priests, in a brutal fashion. When they were found innocent, they were released. When they renounced their heretical beliefs, they were sentenced to do penance in a ''penetentiary'', sometimes for years, and afterward restored to the Church. When they were found to be guilty and unrepentant, they were remanded to the secular authority as incorrigible. Their property was declared forfeit, and they were forced under torture to betray others. The ''perfecti'' ("Perfect Ones") and other intransigent Cathars died at the stake.

1200 - 13th century

1200 - 13th century

Finally the church turned to its ultimate weapon, launching a crusade against the Cathars in Southern France from 1204, the same year as the beginning of the [[Franciscan|Franciscans founded 1207-08]]. Pope Innocent III officially in 1208 announced the ‘''Crusade against the Albigensians''’ (the synonym for Cathars). Thus there was a domestic crusade in Europe, between the fourth and fifth crusades against the [[Saracen]]s.  

Finally the church turned to its ultimate weapon, launching a crusade against the Cathars in Southern France from 1204, the same year as the beginning of the [[Franciscan|Franciscans founded 1207-08]]. Pope Innocent III officially in 1208 announced the ‘''Crusade against the Albigensians''’ (the synonym for Cathars). Thus there was a domestic crusade in Europe, between the fourth and fifth crusades against the [[Saracen]]s.  

The Cathars were often persecuted in horrifying ways by returned veteran Crusader princes and knights in defense of the Church against the poison of Catharism. The situation reached its nadir with the conquest of the fortress of Montségur in 1244, when 205 Cathar priests (''parfaits'' or ''perfecti'') died at the stake. The Cathars retreated into the [[Pyrenees]]. The Bogomils are identified with the Messalians in Slavonic documents from the 13th century.

The Cathars were often persecuted in horrifying ways by returned veteran Crusader princes and knights in defense of the Church against the poison of Catharism. The situation reached its nadir with the conquest of the fortress of Montségur in 1244, when 205 Cathar priests (''parfaits'' or ''perfecti'') died at the stake. The Cathars retreated into the [[Pyrenees]]. The Bogomils are identified with the Messalians in Slavonic documents from the 13th century.

The possibility that Manichean ideas reached the Bogomils in the Balkans through the Islamic expansion has been dismissed by some scholars. According to the ''Encyclopaedia of Islam'' (de Blois, p. 510a) this is highly improbable as conversions to Islam only started in the Balkans about 1260, and the main Ottoman colonization was between 1300-1400.

The possibility that Manichean ideas reached the Bogomils in the Balkans through the Islamic expansion has been dismissed by some scholars. According to the ''Encyclopaedia of Islam'' (de Blois, p. 510a) this is highly improbable as conversions to Islam only started in the Balkans about 1260, and the main Ottoman colonization was between 1300-1400.

Under Byzantine and then later Ottoman rule, the Armenian Paulicians lived in relative safety in their ancient stronghold near Philippopolis, and further northward. Linguistically, they were assimilated into the Bulgarians, by whom they were called ''pavlikiani'' (the Byzantine Greek word for Paulician).

Under Byzantine and then later Ottoman rule, the Armenian Paulicians lived in relative safety in their ancient stronghold near Philippopolis, and further northward. Linguistically, they were assimilated into the Bulgarians, by whom they were called ''pavlikiani'' (the Byzantine Greek word for Paulician).

1300 - 14th century

1300 - 14th century

   

   

In 1203, Pope Innocent III, with the aid of the King of Hungary, forced an agreement of Kulin to acknowledge Papal authority and religion: in practice this was ignored. On the death of Kulin in 1216 a mission was sent to convert Bosnia to Rome but failed. In 1234, the Catholic Bishop of Bosnia was removed by Pope Gregory IX for allowing heretical practices.[19] In addition, Gregory called on the Hungarian king to crusade against the heretics.[20] However, Bosnian nobles were able to expel the Hungarians.[21]  

In 1203, Pope Innocent III, with the aid of the King of Hungary, forced an agreement of Kulin to acknowledge Papal authority and religion: in practice this was ignored. On the death of Kulin in 1216 a mission was sent to convert Bosnia to Rome but failed. In 1234, the Catholic Bishop of Bosnia was removed by Pope Gregory IX for allowing heretical practices.[19] In addition, Gregory called on the Hungarian king to crusade against the heretics.[20] However, Bosnian nobles were able to expel the Hungarians.[21]  

In 1252, Pope Innocent IV decided to put Bosnia's bishop under the Hungarian Kalocsa jurisdiction. Such decision provoked the schism of the Bosnian Christians, who refused to submit to the Hungarians and broke off their relations with Rome.[22] In that way, an autonomous Bosnian Church came into being, in which some later saw a Bogomil or Cathar Church, while in reality no trace of bogomilism, Catharism or dualism can be found in the original documents of the Bosnian Christians.[23]  

In 1252, Pope Innocent IV decided to put Bosnia's bishop under the Hungarian Kalocsa jurisdiction. Such decision provoked the schism of the Bosnian Christians, who refused to submit to the Hungarians and broke off their relations with Rome.[22] In that way, an autonomous Bosnian Church came into being, in which some later saw a Bogomil or Cathar Church, while in reality no trace of bogomilism, Catharism or dualism can be found in the original documents of the Bosnian Christians.[23]