so happened that the heretics, but rather on punishment of heretics, often remembered in connection with the Witching processes and the Inquisition - a phenomenon characteristic of Europe: mainly Italy, South France, Spain and Portugal.But it would be a mistake to assume that the lands which are not subject to the Pope, the dissidents could feel safe.The public burning of heretics - the most common form of punishment - was practiced in Byzantium and in Russia.
Origin of heresies
From the Greek word "heresy" means "direction" or "school".In the early days of Christianity in 1-2 centuries BC.e., a single religious system is not yet developed.There are many communities, sects, each of which in its own way interpreted some aspects of the doctrine: the trinity, the nature of Christ and the Virgin Mary, eschatology, hierarchical structure of the Church.In the 4th century BC.e.This put an end to the emperor Constantine: without the support of the secular power the official church, while still weak, could not unify the cult.Heresy of Arianism was announced first, then Nestorianism.Donatists were persecuted and Montanists.Church leaders early Middle Ages, guided by the New Testament epistles, gives this concept a negative connotation.However, the burning of heretics at the stake at the time was not yet commonplace.
heretical teachings beginning of a new era there was a bright political or social commentary.But over time, believers began to criticize the existing church hierarchy, the cooperation of the church with worldly power, the enrichment of the priests and their hypocrisy.
Cathars
in 11-13 th centuries, fires burned across Europe.The burning of a heretic was presented to the church hierarchy in the simplest way to get rid of the opposition.The schism in the Western Church (Catholic) and Eastern (Orthodox) in the 11th century served as a stimulus for the emergence of new doctrines.The most famous ideological enemies of the Catholic Church became the Cathars, or "clean".To a large extent they developed theological system was based on pagan traditions, particularly in Manichaeism, which involves equality of forces of God and the devil.The device is the world Cathars did not consider perfect.They criticized government institutions, money-grubbing clergy and openly called the Pope a servant of the devil.The Cathars preached austerity, virtue, diligence.They formed their own church organization and enjoyed great prestige.Sometimes the word "catarrh" bring together representatives of other teachings that have similarities: the Waldensian, Bogomils, Paulicians.In 1209, Pope Innocent III took the Cathars seriously, offering neighboring lords eradicate heretics and take their land themselves.
The fight against heretics
clergy preferred to deal with dissidents hands of worldly rulers.Those most often did not mind, because they themselves are afraid of excommunication.In 1215, Innocent III was created by a special body of the ecclesiastical court - the Inquisition.The workers (mostly from the Dominican Order - "Dogs of the Lord") should seek out the heretics, to make accusations against them, interrogate and punish.
trial of a heretic is usually accompanied by torture (art hangman in this period received a stimulus for development, and has formed an impressive arsenal of instruments of torture).But regardless of what the inquiry was completed, sentencing and execution was to implement a secular person.Which sentence handed down the most?Burning of heretics at the large gathering of people.Why is it burning?Because the penalty should be such that the Church could not catch the bloodshed.In addition, the flame endowed with cleansing properties.
Autodafe
burning of heretics was an act of intimidation.Therefore, the execution was to be present as much as possible the people of all classes.The ceremony was administered on holiday and was called "auto de fe" ("act of faith").On the eve of decorated area, built bleachers for noblemen and public toilets.Church bells were taken to wrap a wet cloth: because they sounded more muffled and "mourning".In the morning, the priest celebrated Mass, the inquisitor preached, and students sang hymns.Finally, the sentences were announced.Then they were led out.The burning of a heretic was one of the most severe punishment, carried out within the autos.Also practice: penance (eg a pilgrimage), life wearing the infamous signs in public flogging, imprisonment.
But if the charges were serious, the convict was virtually no chance.As a result of torture "heretics" in most cases, he admitted his guilt.After that, his udavlivali and burned the corpse tied to a post.If, however, before his execution, he suddenly started to deny what he said before, he was waiting for the burning alive, sometimes at low heat (this is specially prepared raw wood).
Who else was equal to heretics?
If one of the relatives of the convicted person did not come to death, he could be suspected of complicity.Therefore autos are always popular.Despite the fact that in place of the convict could be almost anyone, the crowd mocked "heretics" and showered them with insults.
burning threatens not only political and ideological opponents of the Church and the feudal lords.Mass executions of women accused of witchcraft (to them it was convenient to shift the blame for all sorts of disasters), scientists - mainly astronomers, philosophers and physicians (as the church relied on the ignorance of the people and was not interested in the dissemination of knowledge), inventors (for trying to improveperfectly arranged world by God), runaway monks infidels (especially the Jews), the preachers of other religions.In fact, could condemn anyone and anything.Note also that the church took away the property of the executed.
Church and heretics in Russia
The most important enemies of the Orthodox Church of Old Believers began.But the split occurred only in the 17th century, and until that time, all over the country to actively burning representatives of various heresies ideological and social sense: Strigolniki, Judaic and others.Executed well as for possession of heretical books, blasphemy against the Church of Christ and the Virgin Mary, magic, escapes from the monastery.In general, Muscovy differed little from the Spanish bigotry on the part of the local "inquisitors", except that the executions were more varied and had a national identity: for example, the burning of heretics at the stake is not carried out, and in the wooden house.
Russian Orthodox Church only in 1971 recognized their misconceptions about the Old Believers.But repentance other "heretics" she never brought.
