Bogomilism
Bogomilism was a dualist religious sect that emerged in the First Bulgarian Empire in the mid-10th century. This movement is named after its founder, Bogomil, which means "beloved of God" in Slavic. Here are some key aspects of Bogomilism:
Origins and Beliefs
- Founding: Bogomilism originated in the 920s or 930s, possibly influenced by earlier dualist sects like the Manichaeism and Paulicianism.
- Dualism: The core belief was a form of dualism where the world was seen as the creation of an evil god (Satan), while the spiritual realm was created by the good God. They believed in two opposing forces in the universe, with the material world being inherently evil.
- Theology: Bogomils rejected much of the Old Testament, considering its God as the evil creator. They saw Jesus Christ as a spiritual being, not human, sent by the good God to teach humans the path to salvation through knowledge and rejection of the material world.
- Practices: Their practices included asceticism, vegetarianism, and a rejection of the sacraments of the Orthodox Church, especially those involving material elements like water or wine.
Spread and Influence
- Expansion: Bogomilism spread from Bulgaria into the Byzantine Empire, the Balkans, and even influenced movements in Western Europe like the Catharism.
- Persecution: The sect faced significant persecution from both the Eastern Orthodox Church and the state authorities. By the 13th century, Bogomilism had been largely suppressed in Bulgaria due to this persecution.
- Legacy: Despite its suppression, Bogomilism left a lasting impact. Its ideas influenced various later heretical movements in Europe, and its literature and oral traditions were preserved in the form of apocryphal texts and folklore.
Historical Context
- Political Unrest: The rise of Bogomilism coincided with a period of political instability in Bulgaria following the death of Tsar Simeon I of Bulgaria, which might have contributed to its appeal as an alternative to the official church and state.
- Social Critique: Bogomilism often critiqued the wealth and corruption of the clergy, appealing to those disillusioned with the established church.
Suppression and Decline
- Church Response: The Eastern Orthodox Church responded with theological refutations, councils, and harsh persecution. The Byzantine Empire and other Christian states also enacted laws against Bogomils.
- Impact: By the 15th century, with the fall of the Second Bulgarian Empire to the Ottoman Empire, Bogomilism had largely disappeared, though its influence can be seen in various forms of protestantism and heretical movements in later centuries.
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