Jacob Palaeologus
Encyclopedia
Jacob Palaeologus, born Giacomo Massilara (Chios
, – Rome
, March 22, 1585) was a former Dominican
monk who became an anti-Trinitarian.
He was born in Chios
, Greece
. The name Palaeologus is usually an indication of relation to the Byzantine Palaiologos
nobility, though there is no indication that Giacoma della Massilara had such a relation.
Palaeologus came to Transylvania then Poland in 1575, where he was active among the (Socinian) Polish Brethren
. However Fausto Sozzini and the Ecclesia Minor did not welcome Palaeologus' advocacy of Christian service in the military - such was acceptable in the Calvinist Ecclesia Major, but abstention from secular politics, whether by choice or by imposition, had become one of the marks of the Polish Brethren community.
Palaeologus was apprehended in Moravia
, and was sent by Rudolph II
to Rome
in 1582. On February 19, 1583, he was taken to the stake
but abjured at the sight of the Portuguese Marani being burnt alive, and was permitted to return to his cell. The College of Cardinals
argued for his death, but Pope Gregory XIII
insisted that Palaeologus, if he would cooperate, would be more useful alive. However Palaeologus failed to cooperate, and was beheaded in 1585.
Chios
Chios is the fifth largest of the Greek islands, situated in the Aegean Sea, seven kilometres off the Asia Minor coast. The island is separated from Turkey by the Chios Strait. The island is noted for its strong merchant shipping community, its unique mastic gum and its medieval villages...
, – Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, March 22, 1585) was a former Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
monk who became an anti-Trinitarian.
He was born in Chios
Chios
Chios is the fifth largest of the Greek islands, situated in the Aegean Sea, seven kilometres off the Asia Minor coast. The island is separated from Turkey by the Chios Strait. The island is noted for its strong merchant shipping community, its unique mastic gum and its medieval villages...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. The name Palaeologus is usually an indication of relation to the Byzantine Palaiologos
Palaiologos
Palaiologos , often latinized as Palaeologus, was a Byzantine Greek noble family, which produced the last ruling dynasty of the Byzantine Empire. After the Fourth Crusade, members of the family fled to the neighboring Empire of Nicaea, where Michael VIII Palaiologos became co-emperor in 1259,...
nobility, though there is no indication that Giacoma della Massilara had such a relation.
Palaeologus came to Transylvania then Poland in 1575, where he was active among the (Socinian) Polish Brethren
Polish Brethren
The Polish Brethren were members of the Minor Reformed Church of Poland, a Nontrinitarian Protestant church that existed in Poland from 1565 to 1658...
. However Fausto Sozzini and the Ecclesia Minor did not welcome Palaeologus' advocacy of Christian service in the military - such was acceptable in the Calvinist Ecclesia Major, but abstention from secular politics, whether by choice or by imposition, had become one of the marks of the Polish Brethren community.
Palaeologus was apprehended in Moravia
Moravia
Moravia is a historical region in Central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic, and one of the former Czech lands, together with Bohemia and Silesia. It takes its name from the Morava River which rises in the northwest of the region...
, and was sent by Rudolph II
Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor
Rudolf II was Holy Roman Emperor , King of Hungary and Croatia , King of Bohemia and Archduke of Austria...
to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
in 1582. On February 19, 1583, he was taken to the stake
The Stake
The Stake is a 1915 American silent short drama film starring William Garwood in the lead role with Violet Mersereau....
but abjured at the sight of the Portuguese Marani being burnt alive, and was permitted to return to his cell. The College of Cardinals
College of Cardinals
The College of Cardinals is the body of all cardinals of the Catholic Church.A function of the college is to advise the pope about church matters when he summons them to an ordinary consistory. It also convenes on the death or abdication of a pope as a papal conclave to elect a successor...
argued for his death, but Pope Gregory XIII
Pope Gregory XIII
Pope Gregory XIII , born Ugo Boncompagni, was Pope from 1572 to 1585. He is best known for commissioning and being the namesake for the Gregorian calendar, which remains the internationally-accepted civil calendar to this date.-Youth:He was born the son of Cristoforo Boncompagni and wife Angela...
insisted that Palaeologus, if he would cooperate, would be more useful alive. However Palaeologus failed to cooperate, and was beheaded in 1585.
Works
- Iacobi chii Palaeologi - Catechesis Christiana dierum duodecim (published 1971)
- Palaeologus, Jacobus - Disputatio scholastica (published 1994)
- De baptismo liberorum. (against infant baptismInfant baptismInfant baptism is the practice of baptising infants or young children. In theological discussions, the practice is sometimes referred to as paedobaptism or pedobaptism from the Greek pais meaning "child." The practice is sometimes contrasted with what is called "believer's baptism", or...
)