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Bogomil: Bogomilism

Bogomil: Bogomilism

Bogomil, member of a Christian neo-Gnostic or dualist sect called Bogomilism (Bulgarian and Macedonian: Богомилство, romanized: Bogomilstvo; Serbo-Croatian: Bogumilstvo / Богумилство) founded in the First Bulgarian Empire by the priest Bogomil during the reign of Tsar Peter I in the 10th century that flourished in the Balkans between the 10th and 15th centuries. It most probably arose in what is today the region of Macedonia as a response to the social stratification that occurred with the introduction of feudalism and as a form of political movement and opposition to the Bulgarian state and the church.  

Bogomil, member of a [[Christianity|Christian]] neo-Gnostic or [[Dualism|dualist]] [[sect]] called Bogomilism (Bulgarian and Macedonian: Богомилство, romanized: Bogomilstvo; Serbo-Croatian: Bogumilstvo / Богумилство). The Bogomilist sect was founded in the [[Bulgaria|First Bulgarian Empire]] by the priest Bogomil during the reign of Tsar Peter I in the 10th century that flourished in the [[Balkans]] between the 10th and 15th centuries. It most probably arose in what is today the region of [[Macedonia]] as a response to the social stratification that occurred with the introduction of [[feudalism]] and as a form of political movement and opposition to the Bulgarian state and the doctrines and authority of the [[orthodox]] [[catholic]] Christian church as defined by the [[Ante-Nicene Fathers]] and the [[Ecumenical council|Seven Ecumenical Councils]].  

The origin of the Bogomils is not clear. Our information about them comes almost entirely from their opponents. The extant sources discussing the sect say variously that they derived their doctrines from the Messalians, the Paulicians, or the Manichaeans.<ref>Sources for this article are listed in the External links, below. The linked sources listed there cite references to verifiable scholarly research for their assertions. The reader is referred to these sources for immediately accessible verification, in the stead of a posting of a multitude of detailed citations throughout this article. Reading of each of the linked sources listed here is strongly recommended, coupled with independent consulting of the referent sources of research cited by these sources as personal verification of their authenticity and accuracy.</ref>

The origin of the Bogomils is not clear. Information about them comes almost entirely from their opponents. The extant sources discussing the sect say variously that they derived their doctrines from the Messalians, the Paulicians, or the Manichaeans.<ref>Sources for this article are listed in the External links, below. The linked sources listed there cite references to verifiable scholarly research for their assertions. The reader is referred to these sources for immediately accessible verification, in the stead of a posting of a multitude of detailed citations throughout this article. <br> Reading of each of the linked sources listed here is strongly recommended, coupled with independent consulting of the referent sources of research cited by these sources as personal verification of their authenticity and accuracy.</ref>

Name

Name

Since 1930, many authentic Manichaean sources have been found, mainly in Egypt. These have made it possible to study Manichaeism without relying on the interpretations of the [[Early Christianity|Church Fathers]]. The results have raised questions among scholars about the supposedly universal radical character of all forms of Manichaean dualism<ref>Stroumsa; Drijvers; Tardieu; Koenen</ref>. Some researchers have even ventured to claim that Manichaean texts allow both a dualistic and a monotheistic interpretation<ref>e.g. Bianchi</ref>. As a result of the new evidence , the long-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</ref>. The only authentic Bogomil text available to us is the ''Interrogatio Iohanni''. It is clear that they taught a moderate dualism, docetism, and strict asceticism, and that they rejected marriage<ref>Obolensky</ref><ref>Compare John 1:1-14; 2&nbsp;John 7-11; Romans 12:1; Colossians 2:8-23; 1&nbsp;Timothy 4:1-5; Hebrews 13:4</ref>.  

Since 1930, many authentic Manichaean sources have been found, mainly in Egypt. These have made it possible to study Manichaeism without relying on the interpretations of the [[Early Christianity|Church Fathers]]. The results have raised questions among scholars about the supposedly universal radical character of all forms of Manichaean dualism<ref>Stroumsa; Drijvers; Tardieu; Koenen</ref>. Some researchers have even ventured to claim that Manichaean texts allow both a dualistic and a monotheistic interpretation<ref>e.g. Bianchi</ref>. As a result of the new evidence , the long-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</ref>. The only authentic Bogomil text available to us is the ''Interrogatio Iohanni''. It is clear that they taught a moderate dualism, docetism, and strict asceticism, and that they rejected marriage<ref>Obolensky</ref><ref>Compare John 1:1-14; 2&nbsp;John 7-11; Romans 12:1; Colossians 2:8-23; 1&nbsp;Timothy 4:1-5; Hebrews 13:4</ref>.  

200 - 3rd century

200 - 3rd century

Up to 1930, our knowledge of Manichaeanism was based mainly on information from its opponents, such as the great Apostolic Father, [[Saint Augustine]] (354-430), who, according to his ''Confession'' had been a fervent Manichee before his conversion to orthodox catholic Christianity under the influence of the preaching of [[Saint Ambrose]].  

Up to 1930, our knowledge of Manichaeanism was based mainly on information from its opponents, such as the great Apostolic Father, [[Saint Augustine]] (354-430), who, according to his ''Confession'' had been a fervent Manichee before his conversion to orthodox catholic Christianity under the influence of the preaching of [[Saint Ambrose]].  

400 - 5th century

400 - 5th century

600 - 7th century

600 - 7th century

The Paulicians were Gnostic dualist Christian heretics in the Byzantine Empire between about 600 and 1000.  

The Paulicians were Gnostic dualist Christian heretics who arose in the Byzantine Empire between about 600 and 1000 who claimed to have preserved the true doctrine of the apostles of the Lord against the corruptions of [[pagan]]ism.  

700 - 8th century

700 - 8th century

1000 - 11th century

1000 - 11th century

The Bogomils were Christian heretics in the Balkans between about 1000 and 1400 who promulgated a neo-Gnostic anarchic dualist doctrine. The Bogomils first appeared in the tenth century in Bulgaria and spread throughout the Byzantine Empire.

 

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 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.  

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).  

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 Cathars or Albigensians (these are synonyms, the original reference being to the Cathars of the city of Albi in Southern France<ref>Müller</ref>), developed into an important neo-Gnostic and dualist Christian heresy in Europe between about 1150 and 1350, significant for its rejection of both state and orthodox catholic ecclesiastical authority.

The names of the Cathars or Albigensians are synonyms, the original reference being to the Cathars of the city of Albi in Southern France<ref>Müller</ref>. The Albigenses or Cathars developed into an important neo-Gnostic and dualist Christian heresy in Europe between about 1150 and 1350, significant for its rejection of both state and orthodox catholic ecclesial authority.

Moderate Catharism and Radical Catharism.  

Moderate Catharism and Radical Catharism.  

Radical Catharism

Radical Catharism

There are fewer texts with radical Cathar ideas: the ''Liber the Duobis Principiis'' (circ. 1250-1280; SC 198) and the ''Liber contra Manicheos'' (BHRE 37). The ''Liber the Duobis Principiis'' is the only surviving extensive radical Manichaean text available to us. The ''Liber contra Manicheos'' (''circa'' 1218-1222) is by Durand the Huesca, an opponent of the Cathars, and contains a radical Cathar treatise. The contents of the two texts accord closely with the information that we have from the opponents of the Cathars, so we can use both texts.  

There are fewer texts with radical Cathar ideas: the ''Liber the Duobis Principiis'' (''circa'' 1250-1280; SC 198) and the ''Liber contra Manicheos'' (BHRE 37). The ''Liber the Duobis Principiis'' is the only surviving extensive radical Manichaean text available to us. The ''Liber contra Manicheos'' (''circa'' 1218-1222) is by Durand the Huesca, an opponent of the Cathars, and contains a radical Cathar treatise. The contents of the two texts accord closely with the information that we have from the opponents of the Cathars, so we can use both texts.  

The transmission of radical dualism to Europe is said to been brought by a certain ‘Pope Nicetas’ from Constantinople to Northern Italy and Southern France. However the sources are unclear about the sectarian origins of Pope Nicetas; whether he was from the Bogomil Church <ref>Runciman; Niel.</ref>, or from the Paulician sect <ref>Borst; Thouzellier.</ref>. Pope Nicetas is said to have converted the moderate Cathar bishops to radical Catharism during the so-called Council of Saint Félix de Caraman in 1167 <ref>Fearns</ref>. However there are strong indications that this source was a seventeenth century forgery <ref>Dossat; Thouzellier.</ref>. The only certain fact is the transmission of Bogomil dualism to moderate Cathar dualism.  

 

 

 

 

The transmission of radical dualism to Europe is said to been brought by a certain ‘Pope Nicetas’ from Constantinople to Northern Italy and Southern France.<ref>The list of [[Pope]]s or [[Patriarch]]s of the Catholic Church does not include a ‘Pope Nicetas’. The term "pope" ("papa") in the Christian Byzantine east was used to designate any high ranking patriarch, head shepherd of a church, or bishop. As then, so also today, some individuals have taken to themselves this title in [[schism]] or [[heresy]], as a claim to religious authority from God. See Colossians 2:18-23.</ref> However the sources are unclear about the [[sect]]arian origins of Pope Nicetas; whether he was from the Bogomil Church <ref>Runciman; Niel.</ref>, or from the Paulician sect <ref>Borst; Thouzellier.</ref>. (Pope Nicetas is said to have converted the moderate Cathar bishops to radical Catharism during the so-called Council of Saint Félix de Caraman in 1167 <ref>Fearns</ref>. However there are strong indications that this source was a seventeenth century forgery <ref>Dossat; Thouzellier.</ref>.) The only certain fact is the transmission of Bogomil dualism to moderate Cathar dualism.  

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>.  

3. The crusade, in particular the ‘''Crusade against the Albigensians''’ in 1204.  

3. The crusade, in particular the ‘''Crusade against the Albigensians''’ in 1204.  

The Cathar priests had been successful because they led pious and ascetic lives in imitation of the apostles, in apparent contrast to the general Catholic clergy, whom they accused of being [[hypocrites]], although the Catholic clergy included many pious members who practiced visibly obvious personal poverty and disciplines of ascetic self-denial and prayer according to the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience, such as the communities of desert hermits (the beginnings of [[monasticism]]), and later [[Saint Augustine#Legacy|Augustinian]]s founded 5th century, [[Rule of St. Benedict|Benedictines founded about 530]], [https://medievalchurchhistory.blogspot.com/2012/09/lesson-17-cluny-910-and-monastic-reform.html the monastery at Cluny founded 909], [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Camaldolese-Order Camaldolese founded 1012], [[Carthusian Order|Carthusians founded 1086]], [https://www.ancient.eu/Knights_Hospitaller/ Hospitallers founded 1115], [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Carmelites Carmelites founded in Palestine 1155], [[Dominican Order|Dominicans beginning 1178]], [[Franciscan|Franciscans founded 1207-08]]. So beginning in 1178, Rome sent Dominican [[monk]]s already practicing the same ascetic discipline, who tried with little success to convert the Cathars to Catholicism.

The Cathar priests had been successful because they led pious and ascetic lives in imitation of the apostles, in apparent contrast to the general Catholic clergy, whom they accused of being [[hypocrites]], although the Catholic clergy included many pious members who practiced visibly obvious personal poverty and disciplines of ascetic self-denial and prayer according to the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience, such as the communities of desert hermits (the beginnings of [[monasticism]]), the [[Saint Augustine#Legacy|Augustinian]]s founded 5th century, [[Rule of St. Benedict|Benedictines founded about 530]], [https://medievalchurchhistory.blogspot.com/2012/09/lesson-17-cluny-910-and-monastic-reform.html the monastery at Cluny founded 909], [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Camaldolese-Order Camaldolese founded 1012], [[Carthusian Order|Carthusians founded 1086]], [https://www.ancient.eu/Knights_Hospitaller/ Hospitallers founded 1115], [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Carmelites Carmelites founded in Palestine 1155], [[Dominican Order|Dominicans beginning 1178]]. So beginning in 1178, Rome sent Dominican [[monk]]s already practicing the same ascetic discipline, who tried with little success to convert the Cathars to Catholicism.

The populace for the most part listened to the preaching of the Dominicans with little enthusiasm. Many were undecided, and had not yet fully committed themselves to the doctrines of the Cathars. Some few who had been converted were persuaded to come back to the Church and renounce the doctrines and practices of the Cathars by the reasoning [[argument]]s of the Dominican friars and priests with their [[Rhetoric|ehetorical]] appeals to the scriptures and the visible example of the living witness of their own way of life and simple asceticism, but most of the Cathars had been persuaded against the Church by the [[specious reasoning]] and [[polemical]] arguments of the heretics.

The populace for the most part listened to the preaching of the Dominicans with little enthusiasm. Many were undecided, and had not yet fully committed themselves to the doctrines of the Cathars. Some few who had been converted to Catharism were persuaded to come back to the Church and renounce the doctrines and practices of the Cathars by the reasoning [[argument]]s of the Dominican friars and priests with their [[Rhetoric|ehetorical]] appeals to the scriptures and the visible example of the living witness of their own way of life and simple asceticism. Most of the Cathars had been persuaded against the Church and state by the [[specious reasoning]] and [[polemical]] arguments in favor of dualism and the evil of the material body as being created by the [[Demiurge]] Satan and of wealth and property ownership and governmental authority in any form as an absolute evil and of the Jews as worshipers of Satan.

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 accusation 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. Pope Innocent III announced the ‘''Crusade against the Albigensians''’ (the synonym for Cathars) officially in 1208. 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. 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]].  

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 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]].  

1300 - 14th century

1300 - 14th century

1400 - 15th century

1400 - 15th century

The Bogomils were still being persecuted in Bosnia in 1462. A year later, Bosnia was conquered by the Ottomans, and the Bogomils apparently adopted Islam, as they did elsewhere following Islamic conquests <ref>Bozoky</ref>.

The Bogomils were still being persecuted in Bosnia in 1462. A year later, Bosnia was conquered by the [[Ottoman]]s, and the Bogomils apparently adopted [[Islam]], as they did elsewhere following Islamic conquests <ref>Bozoky</ref>.