Who among us has not heard the phrase "Bartholomew's Night"?The value of this phraseologism also know quite a lot, this expression has become synonymous with senseless and ruthless massacres, and indeed pointless cruelty.But the reason that these words have received this value is known, unfortunately, not everyone.
events received subsequently the name of St. Bartholomew, took place in 1572, on the night of August 24.This day is celebrated on the day of St. Bartholomew, and his name was later called this tragic event.But before describing the incident itself, it is necessary to say a few words about what was the reason.
For Europe, the XVI century characterized by the formation and distribution of the various religious movements based on Christianity, but reject the traditional Catholicism of these places.New directions and was really quite a lot, including the Lutheran, Anglican, Calvinist, etc.However, from each other, they differed little.The basis of all Protestant movements is to simplify the service of God: the rejection of most of the sacraments, were left only baptism and communion, and the rejection of the veneration of holy relics and icons, etc.From the houses of prayer removed the altar and, of course, all the statues, images and icons, and generally all the finery.In addition, all the sermons and hymns, as well as the Bible, which was considered the only source of teaching, translated into the languages of the flock.In addition, there was no such a thing as a vow of celibacy and the priest could be any member of the community.The latter is particularly angered the Pope, and all Catholics.
Due to the increasing popularity of Protestant movements in Europe started religious wars.Most of them took place in France, since it was there actively developing movement of Calvinism.French jokingly called them the Huguenots, and eventually the nickname stuck, and in the ranks of the Calvinists.
a result of several bloody war was signed in Saint-Germain peace, in which the Huguenots received a lot of rights, including partial freedom of religion.In addition, the leader of the Calvinists, Admiral Coligny, was admitted to the Royal Council.This allowed him to soon get a great influence on Charles IX.To further strengthen the already fragile peace, it was decided to give Marguerite de Valois for one of the leaders of the Calvinists, Henry of Navarre.
But the queen-mother, Catherine de Medici, this situation is not satisfied.In particular, because she was afraid of losing influence on the king.And the fact that Colin tried to persuade Charles to go to war with Catholic Spain.
In preparation for the wedding in Paris attracted numerous notable and influential Protestants that Catholics angered Paris.Priests only more heated this discontent.Including due to the spread of rumors that Huguenots are preparing a plot to overthrow the king.
noisy and magnificent wedding, which took place August 18, 1572 more angered townspeople.In an atmosphere of growing discontent with the events developed very rapidly.The Duke of Guise on August 22 made an attempt on Coligny.Accordingly, the Huguenots demanded to punish the offender.All this provoked among Calvinists rumors that a new war with the Catholics can not be avoided.Some of them rushed to leave the city.
Naturally, Catherine de Medici took advantage of the situation and the need to convince Carla physical destruction of the Huguenots.Now St. Bartholomew was inevitable.
August 23 order of the king were closed all the gates on the outskirts of Paris, home of the Huguenots were marked with chalk.That same night, the conspirators broke into the home of Admiral wounded and killed him.Following this, the inhabitants of the town, incited clergy began to break into the house and kill everyone who comes their way.Those who believed such measures odd violent, strongly convinced of their necessity and even threatened with excommunication.
same deliberate massacre began in other French cities.Total Bartholomew night killed more than 10,000 Calvinists, of which about 3 million died in Paris.Not hard to guess that this cruelty is not only solved the problem, but make it worse.After that war with the Huguenots really became inevitable.And the defeat in the war again suffered Catholics.Charles IX was again forced to make concessions.
However, the event itself has received many positive responses from Catholics around the world, including the Pope.Only after 425 years, Pope John Paul II acknowledged that the Massacre of St. Bartholomew in France was a mistake, and strongly condemned it.
However, it is worth noting that such actions were carried out, not only Catholics.So in the city of Nimes in the six years before the events described something similar arranged themselves Huguenots.However, St. Bartholomew surpasses all these events on the scale several times.
