Difference between revisions of "Cyril Lucaris"
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'''Cyrillos Lukaris''' or '''Cyril Lucaris''' or '''Cyril Lucar''' ([[1572]] - [[June 27]], [[1637]]) was a Greek prelate and theologian and a native of [[Crete]]. He later became the Patriarch of Alexandria as '''Cyril III''' and [[Patriarch of Constantinople]] as '''Cyril I'''. He was the first great name in the Orthodox Church since the [[fall of Constantinople]] in [[1453]], and dominated its history in the 17th century. | '''Cyrillos Lukaris''' or '''Cyril Lucaris''' or '''Cyril Lucar''' ([[1572]] - [[June 27]], [[1637]]) was a Greek prelate and theologian and a native of [[Crete]]. He later became the Patriarch of Alexandria as '''Cyril III''' and [[Patriarch of Constantinople]] as '''Cyril I'''. He was the first great name in the Orthodox Church since the [[fall of Constantinople]] in [[1453]], and dominated its history in the 17th century. | ||
| − | In his youth | + | In his youth Lukaris travelled through Europe, studying at Venice, Padua and Geneva where he came under the influence of the reformed faith of John Calvin. In [[1602]] he was elected Patriarch of Alexandria and in [[1621]] Patriarch of Constantinople. |
| − | Due to Turkish oppression combined with the proselytisation of the Orthodox faithful by Jesuit missionaries, there was a shortage of schools which taught the Orthodox faith and [[Greek language]]. Catholic schools were set up and Catholic churches | + | Due to Turkish oppression combined with the proselytisation of the Orthodox faithful by Jesuit missionaries, there was a shortage of schools which taught the Orthodox faith and [[Greek language]]. Catholic schools were set up and Catholic churches built next to Orthodox ones; since Orthodox priests were in short demand, something had to be done. Due to good relations with the Anglicans, in [[1677]] Bishop Henry Compton of London built a church for the Greek Orthodox in London which closed in [[1682]]. In [[1694]], renewed sympathy for the Greeks led to plans for Worcester College, Oxford (then Gloucester Hall), to become a college for the Greeks. These plans never came to fruition. |
| − | In 1753 | + | In [[1753]] Patriarch Cyril Lukaris opened a school of thought called [[Athoniada]] at [[Mount Athos]]. Catholics and Orthodox opposed to Loukaris insisted to the Turkish authorities that this school should be closed. In [[1759]] the Athos School was indeed closed. Loukaris' next option was to send students abroad to study, as long as it was not to schools of Catholic thought. The Calvinists were appealing because their beliefs were very similar to Orthodox ones. |
| − | It is alleged that the great aim of | + | It is alleged that the great aim of Loukaris' life was to reform the Orthodox Church on Calvinistic lines, and to this end he sent many young Greek theologians to the universities of Switzerland, the northern Netherlands and England. In [[1629]], he published his famous ''Confessio'' which was basically Calvinistic in doctrine but, as far as possible, accommodated to the language and creeds of the Orthodox Church. It appeared the same year in two Latin editions, four French, one German and one English. This started a controversy in the Orthodox Church which culminated, in [[1691]], in a convocation of a synod, by Dositheos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, which condemned Calvinist doctrines. |
| − | Cyril was also particularly well disposed towards the Anglican Church, and his correspondence with the Archbishops of Canterbury is extremely interesting. It was in his time that Mitrophanis | + | Cyril was also particularly well disposed towards the Anglican Church, and his correspondence with the Archbishops of Canterbury is extremely interesting. It was in his time that Mitrophanis Kritopoulos — later to become Patriarch of Alexandria (1636-1639) — was sent to England to study. Both Lucaris and Kritopoulos were lovers of books and manuscripts, and acquired manuscripts that today adorn the Patriarchal Library. |
| − | Lucaris was several times temporarily deposed and banished at the instigation of his | + | Lucaris was several times temporarily deposed and banished at the instigation of his Orthodox opponents and of the Jesuits, who were his bitter enemies. Finally, when the Ottoman Sultan Murad III was about to set out for the Persian War, the patriarch was accused of a design to stir up the Cossacks, and to avoid trouble during his absence, the sultan had him killed by the Janissaries on [[June 27]], [[1637]]. His body was thrown into the sea, recovered and buried at a distance from the capital by his friends, only brought back to [[Constantinople]] after many years. |
The orthodoxy of Lucaris himself continued to be a matter of debate in the Eastern Church, even Dositheos, in view of the reputation of the great patriarch, thinking it expedient to gloss over his heterodoxy in the interests of the Church. | The orthodoxy of Lucaris himself continued to be a matter of debate in the Eastern Church, even Dositheos, in view of the reputation of the great patriarch, thinking it expedient to gloss over his heterodoxy in the interests of the Church. | ||
| + | ==References== | ||
This article incorporates text from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, which is in the public domain (see also entry in the latest online edition of Encyclopædia Britannica [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9049229]). | This article incorporates text from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, which is in the public domain (see also entry in the latest online edition of Encyclopædia Britannica [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9049229]). | ||
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* http://theologytoday.ptsem.edu/oct1961/v18-3-bookreview10.htm (book review of "''Protestant Patriarch: The Life of Cyril Lucaris (1572-1638); Patriarch of Constantinople''") | * http://theologytoday.ptsem.edu/oct1961/v18-3-bookreview10.htm (book review of "''Protestant Patriarch: The Life of Cyril Lucaris (1572-1638); Patriarch of Constantinople''") | ||
* http://www.cresourcei.org/creedcyril.html (''The Confession of Cyril Lucaris'') | * http://www.cresourcei.org/creedcyril.html (''The Confession of Cyril Lucaris'') | ||
| + | |||
[[Category:Ecumenical Patriarchs]] | [[Category:Ecumenical Patriarchs]] | ||
[[Category:1637 deaths]] | [[Category:1637 deaths]] | ||
Revision as of 12:52, November 20, 2007
Cyrillos Lukaris or Cyril Lucaris or Cyril Lucar (1572 - June 27, 1637) was a Greek prelate and theologian and a native of Crete. He later became the Patriarch of Alexandria as Cyril III and Patriarch of Constantinople as Cyril I. He was the first great name in the Orthodox Church since the fall of Constantinople in 1453, and dominated its history in the 17th century.
In his youth Lukaris travelled through Europe, studying at Venice, Padua and Geneva where he came under the influence of the reformed faith of John Calvin. In 1602 he was elected Patriarch of Alexandria and in 1621 Patriarch of Constantinople.
Due to Turkish oppression combined with the proselytisation of the Orthodox faithful by Jesuit missionaries, there was a shortage of schools which taught the Orthodox faith and Greek language. Catholic schools were set up and Catholic churches built next to Orthodox ones; since Orthodox priests were in short demand, something had to be done. Due to good relations with the Anglicans, in 1677 Bishop Henry Compton of London built a church for the Greek Orthodox in London which closed in 1682. In 1694, renewed sympathy for the Greeks led to plans for Worcester College, Oxford (then Gloucester Hall), to become a college for the Greeks. These plans never came to fruition.
In 1753 Patriarch Cyril Lukaris opened a school of thought called Athoniada at Mount Athos. Catholics and Orthodox opposed to Loukaris insisted to the Turkish authorities that this school should be closed. In 1759 the Athos School was indeed closed. Loukaris' next option was to send students abroad to study, as long as it was not to schools of Catholic thought. The Calvinists were appealing because their beliefs were very similar to Orthodox ones.
It is alleged that the great aim of Loukaris' life was to reform the Orthodox Church on Calvinistic lines, and to this end he sent many young Greek theologians to the universities of Switzerland, the northern Netherlands and England. In 1629, he published his famous Confessio which was basically Calvinistic in doctrine but, as far as possible, accommodated to the language and creeds of the Orthodox Church. It appeared the same year in two Latin editions, four French, one German and one English. This started a controversy in the Orthodox Church which culminated, in 1691, in a convocation of a synod, by Dositheos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, which condemned Calvinist doctrines.
Cyril was also particularly well disposed towards the Anglican Church, and his correspondence with the Archbishops of Canterbury is extremely interesting. It was in his time that Mitrophanis Kritopoulos — later to become Patriarch of Alexandria (1636-1639) — was sent to England to study. Both Lucaris and Kritopoulos were lovers of books and manuscripts, and acquired manuscripts that today adorn the Patriarchal Library.
Lucaris was several times temporarily deposed and banished at the instigation of his Orthodox opponents and of the Jesuits, who were his bitter enemies. Finally, when the Ottoman Sultan Murad III was about to set out for the Persian War, the patriarch was accused of a design to stir up the Cossacks, and to avoid trouble during his absence, the sultan had him killed by the Janissaries on June 27, 1637. His body was thrown into the sea, recovered and buried at a distance from the capital by his friends, only brought back to Constantinople after many years.
The orthodoxy of Lucaris himself continued to be a matter of debate in the Eastern Church, even Dositheos, in view of the reputation of the great patriarch, thinking it expedient to gloss over his heterodoxy in the interests of the Church.
References
This article incorporates text from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, which is in the public domain (see also entry in the latest online edition of Encyclopædia Britannica [1]).
External links
- The Myth of the Calvinist Patriarch
- http://www.nndb.com/people/008/000097714/ (Short bio with picture)
- http://theologytoday.ptsem.edu/oct1961/v18-3-bookreview10.htm (book review of "Protestant Patriarch: The Life of Cyril Lucaris (1572-1638); Patriarch of Constantinople")
- http://www.cresourcei.org/creedcyril.html (The Confession of Cyril Lucaris)