Legend of the White Cowl
Encyclopedia
The Legend of the White Cowl is a Russian Orthodox story first recorded by the monk Philotheus of Pskov
in 1510. It tells of the passage of a religious relic of great significance through great danger from Rome
to Constantinople
and finally to Moscow
, just as many Russians at the time believed the pre-eminent Christian Church in the world was now in Moscow.
. The Legend of the White Cowl asserts the historical and religious inevitability of Russia's place as the heir to the Byzantine Empire's temporal and religious authority. The Patriarch of Constantinople
eventually recognized the independence of the Russian church in 1589.
The Legend of the White Cowl also fits into the Third Rome
ideology in Russia of the time. Just as Constantinople
had been the Second Rome, so would Russia rise to become the Third. In this interpretation, the Cowl functions almost as a baton in a footrace, being passed from one city to the next and bearing with it pre-eminence.
The Pope did indeed demand the return of the Cowl, but the Patriarch of Constantinople wisely refused. Initially, the Patriarch wished to keep the holy relic in his own city, but the radiant youth appeared to him again and told him of the Empire's impending doom at the hands of the Turks
. The Patriarch saw the wisdom in this warning and promptly sent the Cowl on to Novgorod, where it arrived safely. It was presented the Archbishop Vasilii Kalika (1330–1352). The White Cowl or hood became a special symbol unique to the Archbishop of Novgorod
. In fact, a church council in 1564 confirmed the right of the archbishops to wear the white cowl and use red wax seals on their correspondence (the latter privilege had previously been reserved for the grand prince and patriarch).
Today the Patriarch and metropolitans wear white cowls. The archbishop of Novgorod wears a black cowl like other bishops.
Philotheus of Pskov
Philotheus was a hegumen of the Yelizarov Monastery in Pskov in the 16th century. He is credited with authorship of the Legend of the White Cowl and the Third Rome prophecy....
in 1510. It tells of the passage of a religious relic of great significance through great danger from 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...
to Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
and finally to Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, just as many Russians at the time believed the pre-eminent Christian Church in the world was now in Moscow.
Historical context
In the early 16th century, the Russian Orthodox Church was in the process of asserting its independence from the Byzantine Church and the recently-destroyed Byzantine EmpireByzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
. The Legend of the White Cowl asserts the historical and religious inevitability of Russia's place as the heir to the Byzantine Empire's temporal and religious authority. The Patriarch of Constantinople
Patriarch of Constantinople
The Ecumenical Patriarch is the Archbishop of Constantinople – New Rome – ranking as primus inter pares in the Eastern Orthodox communion, which is seen by followers as the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church....
eventually recognized the independence of the Russian church in 1589.
The Legend of the White Cowl also fits into the Third Rome
Third Rome
The term Third Rome describes the idea that some European city, state, or country is the successor to the legacy of the Roman Empire and its successor state, the Byzantine Empire ....
ideology in Russia of the time. Just as Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
had been the Second Rome, so would Russia rise to become the Third. In this interpretation, the Cowl functions almost as a baton in a footrace, being passed from one city to the next and bearing with it pre-eminence.
The legend
In the mid-14th century, the Patriarch of Constantinople was Philotheos, of legendary Christian virtue and piety. One night, he had a vision of a radiant youth, who told him that Constantine gave Pope Sylvester I a White Cowl for the glory of the Church. This was for a time in the possession of the Roman Catholic Popes in the West, but they eventually sent the Cowl to Philotheos. The youth told Philotheos that he should accept the gift, and then immediately forward it to Novgorod in Russia before the corrupt Western Church could demand its return.The Pope did indeed demand the return of the Cowl, but the Patriarch of Constantinople wisely refused. Initially, the Patriarch wished to keep the holy relic in his own city, but the radiant youth appeared to him again and told him of the Empire's impending doom at the hands of the Turks
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. The Patriarch saw the wisdom in this warning and promptly sent the Cowl on to Novgorod, where it arrived safely. It was presented the Archbishop Vasilii Kalika (1330–1352). The White Cowl or hood became a special symbol unique to the Archbishop of Novgorod
Archbishop of Novgorod
The Archbishop of Novgorod is the head of the eparchy of Novgorod the Great and is one of the oldest offices in the Russian Orthodox Church. The archbishops have, in fact, been among the most important figures in medieval Russian history and culture and their successors continued to play...
. In fact, a church council in 1564 confirmed the right of the archbishops to wear the white cowl and use red wax seals on their correspondence (the latter privilege had previously been reserved for the grand prince and patriarch).
Today the Patriarch and metropolitans wear white cowls. The archbishop of Novgorod wears a black cowl like other bishops.
External links
- Georges Florovsky, The Ways of Russian Theology: http://www.myriobiblos.gr/texts/english/florovsky_ways.html
- Keeping the Faiths. Religion and Ideology in the Soviet Union, by Paul D. Steeves: http://www.stetson.edu/departments/russian/keepingthefaiths01.html