Theodore Balsamon
Encyclopedia
Theodore Balsamon was a canonist of the Greek Orthodox Church
and 12th century Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch.
Born in the second half of the 12th century at Constantinople
; died there, after 1195 (Petit). He was ordained a deacon
, appointed Nomophylax (Greek: Νομοφύλαξ, "Guardian of the Laws", a title created for the head of the law school
in Constantinople in the mid-11th c.), and from 1178 to 1183, under Patriarch Theodosius I
, he had charge of all ecclesiastical trials or cases submitted to the Patriarchate. In 1193 he became the Patriarch of Antioch
, though he remained resident in Constantinople.
Balsamon's best work is his "Scholia" (Greek: Σχόλια) (c. 1170), a commentary on the Nomocanon
of Photiоs, the standard work on Eastern Orthodox ecclesiastical and imperial laws and decrees. In his "Scholia", Balsamon insists on existing laws, and dwells on the relation between canons and laws — ecclesiastical and civil constitutions — giving precedence to the former. Balsamon also compiled a collection of ecclesiastical constitutions (Syntagma) and wrote other works, many of which concern the ongoing debate between the Eastern and Western Churches following the schism of 1054. Two of his letters were published: one treating of fasting
, the other on the admission of novices into monasteries.
Theodore's legacy is that he preserved the world’s knowledge of many otherwise unknown source documents from early Byzantine political and theological history. His commentaries are still referenced to this day by students of Eastern Orthodox canon law
, and are published in official collection of canon law known as the Pedalion (Greek: Πεδαλιον, "Rudder", so named because it is meant as a guide to "steer" the Church).
's "Pandecta Canonum", Oxford, 1672 (P. G., cxxxvii-viii). From 1852 to 1860, Rhalli and Potli published at Athens a collection of the sources of Greek canon law
which contains Balsamon's commentary. Migne
published his commentaries in his Patrologia Graeca
, CIV, 441.
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...
and 12th century Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch.
Born in the second half of the 12th century at 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:...
; died there, after 1195 (Petit). He was ordained a deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
, appointed Nomophylax (Greek: Νομοφύλαξ, "Guardian of the Laws", a title created for the head of the law school
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
in Constantinople in the mid-11th c.), and from 1178 to 1183, under Patriarch Theodosius I
Patriarch Theodosius I of Constantinople
Theodosius I Boradiotes was the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople from 1179 to 1183....
, he had charge of all ecclesiastical trials or cases submitted to the Patriarchate. In 1193 he became the Patriarch of Antioch
Patriarch of Antioch
Patriarch of Antioch is a traditional title held by the Bishop of Antioch. As the traditional "overseer" of the first gentile Christian community, the position has been of prime importance in the church from its earliest period...
, though he remained resident in Constantinople.
Balsamon's best work is his "Scholia" (Greek: Σχόλια) (c. 1170), a commentary on the Nomocanon
Nomocanon
Nomocanon is a collection of Ecclesiastical law, consisting of the elements from both the Civil law and the Canon law.-Byzantine nomocanons:Collections of this kind were found only in Eastern law...
of Photiоs, the standard work on Eastern Orthodox ecclesiastical and imperial laws and decrees. In his "Scholia", Balsamon insists on existing laws, and dwells on the relation between canons and laws — ecclesiastical and civil constitutions — giving precedence to the former. Balsamon also compiled a collection of ecclesiastical constitutions (Syntagma) and wrote other works, many of which concern the ongoing debate between the Eastern and Western Churches following the schism of 1054. Two of his letters were published: one treating of fasting
Fasting
Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time. An absolute fast is normally defined as abstinence from all food and liquid for a defined period, usually a single day , or several days. Other fasts may be only partially restrictive,...
, the other on the admission of novices into monasteries.
Theodore's legacy is that he preserved the world’s knowledge of many otherwise unknown source documents from early Byzantine political and theological history. His commentaries are still referenced to this day by students of Eastern Orthodox canon law
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...
, and are published in official collection of canon law known as the Pedalion (Greek: Πεδαλιον, "Rudder", so named because it is meant as a guide to "steer" the Church).
Publication
Balsamon's "Scholia" was first published by Gentian Hervet in Latin at Paris (1561), at Basle (1562); in Greek and Latin at Paris (1615), and again at Basle (1620). It is also found in BeveridgeWilliam Beveridge (bishop)
-Life:He was born at Barrow, near Leicester, and baptized there February 21, 1637. He was educated at St John's College, Cambridge, and was rector of Ealing, 1661–72, and of St. Peter's, Cornhill, London, 1672–1704, when he became bishop...
's "Pandecta Canonum", Oxford, 1672 (P. G., cxxxvii-viii). From 1852 to 1860, Rhalli and Potli published at Athens a collection of the sources of Greek canon law
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...
which contains Balsamon's commentary. Migne
Migné
Migné is a commune in the Indre department in central France.-References:*...
published his commentaries in his Patrologia Graeca
Patrologia Graeca
The Patrologia Graeca is an edited collection of writings by the Christian Church Fathers and various secular writers, in the ancient Koine or medieval variants of the Greek language. It consists of 161 volumes produced in 1857–1866 by J. P. Migne's Imprimerie Catholique...
, CIV, 441.