Patriarch Cyril V of Constantinople
Encyclopedia
Cyril V Karakallos was Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople for two periods from 1748 to 1751 and from 1752 to 1757.
A controversial figure, often blamed for his ideas about the baptism
, in 1755 he issued the Oros, a canonical
document which, superseding the previous use of accepting Christian converts by Chrismation
, stated that all non-Orthodox (including Catholic) baptisms were not valid and all converts needed to be re-baptized.
, in the Peloponnese
. Still young, he was taken captive during the Ottoman–Venetian War (1714–1718) and after his release he went to Patmos
where he became a monk. In Patmos he also continued his studies but he was expelled by the school for behavior issues before graduation.
In 1737 he was appointed Metropolitan
of Meleniko
and in 1745 he was promoted to the See
of Nicomedia
. On 28 September 1748 he was elected Patriarch of Constantinople for the first time in place of Paisius II, even if some days before he had sworn to Paisius that he would not try to depose him.
As Patriarch Cyril had three priorities: the recovery of the patriarchal finances, the fight against Catholic positions and the instruction of the monks. To improve the finances he raised taxes on the metropolitan bishops and relieved the little parishes: this action was quite successful but made him unpopular among the bishops. He strongly supported the need to re-baptise
all converts, and especially women, because he considered the Armenian
and Catholic baptisms as not valid. These positions created discontent among the metropolitans, who deposed him in May 1751 and reinstalled the moderate Paisius II in his place. Cyril retired on island of Halki, near Istanbul.
Cyril however was supported by a large portion of the populace, both because of his regulations on taxes and because of his opposition to the Catholic Church. In this regard Cyril was helped by the thaumaturgic and demagogic monk Auxentios who preached strongly against the Catholics and instigated riots which culminated with a violent assault on the Patriarchate and the seizure of Paisius himself. The riots were crushed, but the Ottoman
authorities requested the deposition of Paisius and, in exchange for a considerable amount of money (45,000 piastres), appointed Cyril V, who was reinstalled on 7 September 1752.
With regards to the instruction of the monks, Cyril established in 1749 the Athonite Academy
on Mount Athos
, and in 1753 he called the eminent theologian and scholar Eugenios Voulgaris
to guide it. However the Enlightenment ideas of Voulgaris were too modern for the monks, and he had to resign in 1758.
The opposition to Cyril was led by the Metropolitan of Proilavo (Brăila
in Romania) and future Patriarch, Callinicus
. After Cyril ordered Callinicus into exile in the Sinai, the latter took refuge in the French
embassy in Istanbul
. Here Callinicus obtained a large amount of money which were given to the Sultan Osman III
and resulted in Cyril's second and final deposition on 16 January 1757.
Cyril was exiled to the Sinai
, and later under Serapheim II
he was allowed to move to the skete
of Agia Anna on Mount Athos
. In 1763 he returned to Constantinople to attempt a restoration to the patriarchal throne, but he was promptly and forcibly taken back to Agia Anna, where he died on 27 July 1775.
and Catholic baptism, and consequently of all their other sacrament
s. This view was known as Ana-baptism, a term and a doctrine unrelated to the Protestant Anabaptism. The issue was rooted by the heavy anti-Catholic polemic typical of the 18th century, probably fed by the alarm caused by Catholic proselytism
. Its main representatives were Eugenios Voulgaris
, the lay
Eustratios Argenti and the thaumaturgic and demagogic monk Auxentios, who was able to stir up anti-Catholic mobs.
The issue of the validity of baptisms arose after the Ottoman–Venetian War, when the Venetian-ruled Peloponnese was reconquered by the Ottoman Empire
. The Ottomans ruled the Christians through the millet system
and subjected the Catholics to the civil authority of the Patriarch of Constantinople, causing numerous conversions to Orthodoxy. Cyril's actions to require the re-baptism of converts was due both by his fierce anti-Catholic position and by his sincere desire to provide what he considered to be a valid baptism.
As of 1752 Cyril ruled that in any case the Armenian and Catholic converts should be re-baptised. The Holy Synod
met on 28 April 1755 and formally voted against Cyril's position, considering it an innovation not envisaged by the ancient canon
s and contrary to the liturgical praxis
. At this point Cyril exiled the members of the Holy Synod who were contrary to his view.
In June 1755 Cyril issued a circular letter with title "Anathema of those who accept papal sacraments", and a month later he issued the formal order "Oros (Tome) of the Holy Great Church of Christ" which required the re-baptism in any case for any converts. The Oros had at least seven editions and was edited a year later by the so-called Constantinople Council of 1756 with the signatures of Patriarch Matthew of Alexandria
, and of Patriarch Parthenius of Jerusalem
.
It is important to note that the lack of validity of non-Orthodox baptisms was not declared in relation to the "heretical" doctrines of the other Churches, but simply as a consequence of baptisms not performed in strict accordance with the Orthodox uses, i.e. with a triple full immersion by an Orthodox priest or believer.
Not a single Eastern Orthodox Church, except the Greek churches, accepted the Oros. The Russian Orthodox Church
went on following the previously adopted canons, which recognized baptisms performed in the Catholic and Lutheran Churches as valid and did not repeat them. The Oros was never formally retired, but since the beginning of 20th century the Greek Orthodox Church
authorized different forms of reception for the converts. The Oros is still today deemed as binding by some conservative Orthodox circles.
According to scholar C.A. Frazee, the Oros, rather than the 1054 events, marked the true East–West Schism.
A controversial figure, often blamed for his ideas about the baptism
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
, in 1755 he issued the Oros, a canonical
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
document which, superseding the previous use of accepting Christian converts by Chrismation
Chrismation
Chrismation is the name given in Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches, as well as in the Assyrian Church of the East, Anglican, and in Lutheran initiation rites, to the Sacrament or Sacred Mystery more commonly known in the West as confirmation, although Italian...
, stated that all non-Orthodox (including Catholic) baptisms were not valid and all converts needed to be re-baptized.
Life
Cyril was born in DimitsanaDimitsana
Dimitsana is a village and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Gortynia, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit. It is built on the ruins of the ancient town Teuthis...
, in the Peloponnese
Peloponnese
The Peloponnese, Peloponnesos or Peloponnesus , is a large peninsula , located in a region of southern Greece, forming the part of the country south of the Gulf of Corinth...
. Still young, he was taken captive during the Ottoman–Venetian War (1714–1718) and after his release he went to Patmos
Patmos
Patmos is a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea. One of the northernmost islands of the Dodecanese complex, it has a population of 2,984 and an area of . The highest point is Profitis Ilias, 269 meters above sea level. The Municipality of Patmos, which includes the offshore islands of Arkoi ,...
where he became a monk. In Patmos he also continued his studies but he was expelled by the school for behavior issues before graduation.
In 1737 he was appointed Metropolitan
Metropolitan bishop
In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of...
of Meleniko
Melnik, Bulgaria
Melnik is a town in Blagoevgrad Province, southwestern Bulgaria, in the southwestern Pirin Mountains, about 440 m above sea level. The town is an architectural reserve and 96 of its buildings are cultural monuments...
and in 1745 he was promoted to the See
Episcopal See
An episcopal see is, in the original sense, the official seat of a bishop. This seat, which is also referred to as the bishop's cathedra, is placed in the bishop's principal church, which is therefore called the bishop's cathedral...
of Nicomedia
Izmit
İzmit is a city in Turkey, administrative center of Kocaeli Province as well as the Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality. It is located at the Gulf of İzmit in the Sea of Marmara, about east of Istanbul, on the northwestern part of Anatolia. The city center has a population of 294.875...
. On 28 September 1748 he was elected Patriarch of Constantinople for the first time in place of Paisius II, even if some days before he had sworn to Paisius that he would not try to depose him.
As Patriarch Cyril had three priorities: the recovery of the patriarchal finances, the fight against Catholic positions and the instruction of the monks. To improve the finances he raised taxes on the metropolitan bishops and relieved the little parishes: this action was quite successful but made him unpopular among the bishops. He strongly supported the need to re-baptise
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
all converts, and especially women, because he considered the Armenian
Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
and Catholic baptisms as not valid. These positions created discontent among the metropolitans, who deposed him in May 1751 and reinstalled the moderate Paisius II in his place. Cyril retired on island of Halki, near Istanbul.
Cyril however was supported by a large portion of the populace, both because of his regulations on taxes and because of his opposition to the Catholic Church. In this regard Cyril was helped by the thaumaturgic and demagogic monk Auxentios who preached strongly against the Catholics and instigated riots which culminated with a violent assault on the Patriarchate and the seizure of Paisius himself. The riots were crushed, but the Ottoman
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...
authorities requested the deposition of Paisius and, in exchange for a considerable amount of money (45,000 piastres), appointed Cyril V, who was reinstalled on 7 September 1752.
With regards to the instruction of the monks, Cyril established in 1749 the Athonite Academy
Athonite Academy
The Athonite or Athonias Academy is a Greek Orthodox educational institution founded at 1749 in Mount Athos, then in the Ottoman Empire and now in Greece. The school offered high level education, where ancient philosophy and modern physical science were taught...
on Mount Athos
Mount Athos
Mount Athos is a mountain and peninsula in Macedonia, Greece. A World Heritage Site, it is home to 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries and forms a self-governed monastic state within the sovereignty of the Hellenic Republic. Spiritually, Mount Athos comes under the direct jurisdiction of the...
, and in 1753 he called the eminent theologian and scholar Eugenios Voulgaris
Eugenios Voulgaris
Eugenios Voulgaris or Boulgaris or Vulgares was a Greek Orthodox educator, and bishop of Kherson . Writing copiously on theology, philosophy and the sciences, he disseminated western European thought throughout the Greek and eastern Christian world, and was a leading contributor to the Modern...
to guide it. However the Enlightenment ideas of Voulgaris were too modern for the monks, and he had to resign in 1758.
The opposition to Cyril was led by the Metropolitan of Proilavo (Brăila
Braila
Brăila is a city in Muntenia, eastern Romania, a port on the Danube and the capital of Brăila County, in the close vicinity of Galaţi.According to the 2002 Romanian census there were 216,292 people living within the city of Brăila, making it the 10th most populous city in Romania.-History:A...
in Romania) and future Patriarch, Callinicus
Patriarch Callinicus IV of Constantinople
Callinicus IV , born Constantine Mavrikios , was Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople for a few months in 1757 and a writer and scholar....
. After Cyril ordered Callinicus into exile in the Sinai, the latter took refuge in the French
Kingdom of France
The Kingdom of France was one of the most powerful states to exist in Europe during the second millennium.It originated from the Western portion of the Frankish empire, and consolidated significant power and influence over the next thousand years. Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, developed a...
embassy in Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
. Here Callinicus obtained a large amount of money which were given to the Sultan Osman III
Osman III
Osman III or Othman IIIText not available was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1754 to 1757.-Biography:...
and resulted in Cyril's second and final deposition on 16 January 1757.
Cyril was exiled to the Sinai
Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai , also known as Mount Horeb, Mount Musa, Gabal Musa , Jabal Musa meaning "Moses' Mountain", is a mountain near Saint Catherine in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. A mountain called Mount Sinai is mentioned many times in the Book of Exodus in the Torah and the Bible as well as the Quran...
, and later under Serapheim II
Ecumenical Patriarch Serapheim II of Constantinople
-Life:Serapheim II was born in Delvinë, southern Albania to Albanian parents in the late 17th century. Before he was elected as Patriarch of Constantinople on 22 July 1757 he was Metropolitan of Philippoupolis....
he was allowed to move to the skete
Skete
A Skete is a monastic style community that allows relative isolation for monks, but alsoallows for communal services and the safety of shared resources and protection...
of Agia Anna on Mount Athos
Mount Athos
Mount Athos is a mountain and peninsula in Macedonia, Greece. A World Heritage Site, it is home to 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries and forms a self-governed monastic state within the sovereignty of the Hellenic Republic. Spiritually, Mount Athos comes under the direct jurisdiction of the...
. In 1763 he returned to Constantinople to attempt a restoration to the patriarchal throne, but he was promptly and forcibly taken back to Agia Anna, where he died on 27 July 1775.
The Oros and the validity of baptisms
From the beginning of his reign Cyril took a stand against the validity of the ArmenianArmenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
and Catholic baptism, and consequently of all their other sacrament
Sacrament
A sacrament is a sacred rite recognized as of particular importance and significance. There are various views on the existence and meaning of such rites.-General definitions and terms:...
s. This view was known as Ana-baptism, a term and a doctrine unrelated to the Protestant Anabaptism. The issue was rooted by the heavy anti-Catholic polemic typical of the 18th century, probably fed by the alarm caused by Catholic proselytism
Proselytism
Proselytizing is the act of attempting to convert people to another opinion and, particularly, another religion. The word proselytize is derived ultimately from the Greek language prefix προσ- and the verb ἔρχομαι in the form of προσήλυτος...
. Its main representatives were Eugenios Voulgaris
Eugenios Voulgaris
Eugenios Voulgaris or Boulgaris or Vulgares was a Greek Orthodox educator, and bishop of Kherson . Writing copiously on theology, philosophy and the sciences, he disseminated western European thought throughout the Greek and eastern Christian world, and was a leading contributor to the Modern...
, the lay
Laity
In religious organizations, the laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained legitimate clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order .In the past in Christian cultures, the...
Eustratios Argenti and the thaumaturgic and demagogic monk Auxentios, who was able to stir up anti-Catholic mobs.
The issue of the validity of baptisms arose after the Ottoman–Venetian War, when the Venetian-ruled Peloponnese was reconquered by the Ottoman Empire
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 Ottomans ruled the Christians through the millet system
Millet (Ottoman Empire)
Millet is a term for the confessional communities in the Ottoman Empire. It refers to the separate legal courts pertaining to "personal law" under which communities were allowed to rule themselves under their own system...
and subjected the Catholics to the civil authority of the Patriarch of Constantinople, causing numerous conversions to Orthodoxy. Cyril's actions to require the re-baptism of converts was due both by his fierce anti-Catholic position and by his sincere desire to provide what he considered to be a valid baptism.
As of 1752 Cyril ruled that in any case the Armenian and Catholic converts should be re-baptised. The Holy Synod
Holy Synod
In several of the autocephalous Eastern Orthodox churches and Eastern Catholic Churches, the patriarch or head bishop is elected by a group of bishops called the Holy Synod...
met on 28 April 1755 and formally voted against Cyril's position, considering it an innovation not envisaged by the ancient canon
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
s and contrary to the liturgical praxis
Praxis (Eastern Orthodoxy)
Praxis, a transliteration of the Greek word πρᾶξις, which is derived from the stem of the verb πράσσειν "to do, to act.", means "practice, action, doing"...
. At this point Cyril exiled the members of the Holy Synod who were contrary to his view.
In June 1755 Cyril issued a circular letter with title "Anathema of those who accept papal sacraments", and a month later he issued the formal order "Oros (Tome) of the Holy Great Church of Christ" which required the re-baptism in any case for any converts. The Oros had at least seven editions and was edited a year later by the so-called Constantinople Council of 1756 with the signatures of Patriarch Matthew of Alexandria
Patriarch Matthew of Alexandria
Matthew served as Greek Patriarch of Alexandria between 1746 and 1766. He was born in the Greek island of Andros.-References:GeneralSpecific...
, and of Patriarch Parthenius of Jerusalem
Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem
The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem is the head bishop of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, ranking fourth of nine Patriarchs in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Since 2005, the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem has been Theophilos III...
.
It is important to note that the lack of validity of non-Orthodox baptisms was not declared in relation to the "heretical" doctrines of the other Churches, but simply as a consequence of baptisms not performed in strict accordance with the Orthodox uses, i.e. with a triple full immersion by an Orthodox priest or believer.
Not a single Eastern Orthodox Church, except the Greek churches, accepted the Oros. The Russian Orthodox Church
Russian Orthodox Church
The Russian Orthodox Church or, alternatively, the Moscow Patriarchate The ROC is often said to be the largest of the Eastern Orthodox churches in the world; including all the autocephalous churches under its umbrella, its adherents number over 150 million worldwide—about half of the 300 million...
went on following the previously adopted canons, which recognized baptisms performed in the Catholic and Lutheran Churches as valid and did not repeat them. The Oros was never formally retired, but since the beginning of 20th century the Greek Orthodox Church
Greek Orthodox Church
The Greek Orthodox Church is the body of several churches within the larger communion of Eastern Orthodox Christianity sharing a common cultural tradition whose liturgy is also traditionally conducted in Koine Greek, the original language of the New Testament...
authorized different forms of reception for the converts. The Oros is still today deemed as binding by some conservative Orthodox circles.
According to scholar C.A. Frazee, the Oros, rather than the 1054 events, marked the true East–West Schism.