Crisis in Byzantium: The Filioque Controversy in the Patriarchate of Gregory II of Cyprus (1283-1289)

Publication Data: Crestwood, NY: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1997
Format: softcover
Number of Pages: xiv + 256
Dimensions (l × w × h): 22.8 cm × 14.9 cm × 2.0 cm
ISBN: 0‒88141‒176‒0

   
by Aristeides Papadakis

“A basic theme of the present work dealing with the Byzantine reaction to Lyons is that the problem of the Filioque is ultimately a trinitarian and, therefore, a theological question in the full patristic sense of the word. At the council of 1285 the discussion focused chiefly on the fundamentals of the faith in the Holy Trinity, rather than on the technicalities of the words. To describe it as a quarrel over words or as a polemic would not do. Contrary to the classroom cliché, in brief, East-West medieval debates on the procession were not all one extended dialogue of the deaf. To be sure, as the only official Orthodox conciliar response to the Filioque, the contribution of the see of Constantinople in 1285 is historically and theologically important.”
—“FOREWORD TO THE ST. VLADIMIR’S PRESS EDITION”

CONTENTS

   Abbreviations
   Chronology
   Foreword to the St Vladimir’s Press Edition
   Preface
   INTRODUCTION
1 CUIUS REGIO, EIUS RELIGIO
   A. Church History and the Fourth Crusade
   B. Michael VIII’S “Union Council”
   C. John XI Beccus and the Unionist Effort
2 GREGORY OF CYPRUS: THE SCHOLAR
   A. Early Training and Career
   B. Gregory and Unionism
3 THE SEARCH FOR STABILITY
   A. The Restoration of Orthodoxy
   B. Elements of Opposition: Arsenites
   C. Elements of Opposition: Beccus
4 THE COUNCIL OF BLACHERNAE
   A. Cappadocian and Augustinian Trinitarian Thought
   B. Beccus’ Explanation
   C. The Orthodox Case
5 THE FAITH OF BLACHERNAE
   A. The Council is Adjourned
   B. Photius and the Unionists
   C. The Tomus: Trinitarian Personalism
   D. The Tomus: Eternal Manifestation
6 THE FIRST STORM
   A. The Lower Clergy and the Arsenites
   B. George Moschabar’s Circle
   C. Gregory’s Apology
7 MARK AND THE SYNOD
   A. Mark’s Commentary
   B. The Hierarchy Joins the Opposition
8 CONTROVERSY AND CONSENSUS
   A. Conditional Resignation
   B. The Aftermath
9 REFLECTIONS
APPENDICES
   The Tomus of 1285
   Exposition of the Tomus of Faith Against Beccus
   Mark’s Report to the Synod
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX