Antidicomarianites

Apr 282009
 

Greek: antidikos, opponents; Mariam, Mary

Name given by Epiphanius, about the end of the 4th century, to adversaries of the Divine maternity and of the perpetual virginity of Mary.

Priscillianism

Apr 282009
 

A heresy which was introduced into Spain towards the end of the 4th century by an Egyptian named Marcus. The system was based on the Gnostic-Manichaean doctrine of a two-fold principle of the world, one good, the other bad, and derived its name from Priscillian, who became its leader. The sect gradually assumed the form of a secret society and threatened to overrun the whole of southern Europe. Its peculiar doctrines and practises were examined in the synod of Saragossa in 380, and Priscillian and his followers were excommunicated. Violence was resorted to as a means of suppressing the heresy but without success. Finally, under Emperor Maximus, a synod was called at Bordeaux in 384. Priscillian was accused of practising magic, and he and several followers were condemned and executed while many others were exiled. The whole procedure was condemned by such men as Saint Ambrose, Saint Martin of Tours, and Pope Damasus. The heresy gradually died out at the end of the 6th century.

Pelagianism

Apr 282009
 

Pelagius was a heretic, and his teachings are known as Pelagianism. Pelagius, of whom little is known, began the spread of his false doctrines at Rome, Italy, c.405. His teachings might be summarized as follows: God did not give Adam immortality, nor did Adam need grace to avoid sin. His sin was personal, and therefore was not transmitted to posterity. Hence, no original sin. As to grace, man does not need this gift, because the will of itself can avoid sin and merit heaven. “Grace” is God‘s gift of a free will. Pelagius later admitted the existence of a grace independent of the will; but its function was not to begin but only to perfect good works. This grace is merited by man. It is not a gift. Nor is it necessary for salvation but makes the attainment of salvation easier. Saint Augustine of Hippo refuted these doctrines, and Pelagianism was condemned by the Council of Carthage and Council of Orange in 418 and 529. For a more in-depth discusion, see the Catholic Encyclopedia article.

Semipelagianism

Apr 282009
 

The doctrines first put forward by Cassian, Abbot of Saint Victor at Marseilles, and which amounted to a compromise between the Augustinian explanation of grace and that held by the Pelagians. According to Cassian and his followers

  • God‘s grace sometimes awaits man’s free cooperation
  • the beginning of faith is in one’s power
  • salvation, always supposing the assistance of grace, depends finally upon one’s own will
  • there is no such thing as predestination ante proevisa merita
  • grace is given to all, or when denied is withheld because God foresees one’s evil use of it

These opinions became popular in southern Gaul and were defended by Vincent of Lerins and others. Opposed by Augustine, Prosper of Aquitaine, and later by Fulgentius, Bishop of Ruspe, they were formally condemned in the Ecumenical Council of Orange in 529. It should be noted that the term Semipelagianism is a 16th century creation, having been first urged as a taunt against the opinions of Molina during that theologian‘s controversy with the Dominicans. A proper meaning for the word was discovered in applying it to Cassian and his school.

Nestorianism

Mar 042009
 

Nestorius, the 5th century Patriarch of Constantinople, while fighting Arians, came to accept the view that in Christ the two natures stand for two personalities which are united in one moral person. This doctrine had previously been prevalent in the School of Antioch where it was held by Diodorus of Tarsus and Theodore of Mopsuestia of whom Nestorius was the disciple. Like his master, Nestorius refused to admit that Mary was the Mother of God, but claimed she was only the mother of Christ. He was condemned by the aecumenical councils of Ephesus in 431 and Chalcedon in 451. Many of his followers persistently adhered to their beliefs and formed a powerful religious body, part of which has survived to our own day.

Messalians

Mar 042009
 

Also known as

  • Adelphians
  • Bogomili
  • Enthusiasts
  • Euchites
  • The Filthy

Article

An heretical sect originating in Mesopotamia in 360. They denied that the Sacraments give grace and declared that the only spiritual power is prayer. Prayer, they said, drives out the evil spirit and brings into the soul the Holy Spirit, and thus unites the soul to God, and gives perfect control over the passions. The fervour of their prayers was supposed to bring them into immediate contact with God; so they neglected everything but prayer and conformed to the religious and civil customs of a place only in order to escape persecution. They said that after a period of constant prayer they saw the Trinity; that the Three Divine Persons became one and dwelt within them; and that they were then able to stamp upon the evil spirits that they saw prowling about the world. On account of their belief in their possession by the Holy Spirit, they were called Enthusiasts (Greek: enthous, full of the god). They were also called “Praying Folk” or Euchites from the Greek translation (euchomai, pray), of their Oriental name. In some places in later centuries they were identified with the Marcianists because they held some of the same doctrines. Their first leader, Adelphius, also gave his name to the sect, sometimes called Adelphians. They were condemned in 376 by Flavian, Bishop of Antioch; in 388 by the Synod of Side; in 426 by a Council of Constantinople; and in 431 by the Third General Council of Ephesus. In Armenia and Syria they were accused of immorality, were called “The Filthy,” and were banished. They revived under the name of Bogomili but perished in the 9th century.

MLA Citation

  • “Messalians”. New Catholic Dictionary. Saints.SQPN.com. 11 September 2010. Web. {today’s date}. <http://saints.sqpn.com/messalians/>

The Filthy

Mar 012009
 

Euchites

Mar 012009
 

Enthusiasts

Mar 012009
 

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