BASIL FROM OHRID AND HIS CIRCLE Cover Image

BASIL FROM OHRID AND HIS CIRCLE
BASIL FROM OHRID AND HIS CIRCLE

Author(s): Jovana Šijaković
Subject(s): Cultural history, History of Church(es), Social history, 6th to 12th Centuries, History of Religion
Published by: Vizantološki institut SANU
Keywords: Basil Achridenos/Basil of Ohrid; patriarchal protonotarios; metropolitan of Thessalonike; John Tzetzes; Leo Charsianites; metropolitan of Dristra; Michael the Rhetor; ὁ τοῦ Θεσσαλονίκης;

Summary/Abstract: The paper explores biographical assumptions about Basil from Ohrid, who became the metropolitan of Thessalonike by October 1154 and met his end after 1160. He had a friendly relationship with John Tzetzes and Leo Charsianites, metropolitan of Dristra. It is possible that Leo and Basil served together as deacons in the patriarchal chancellery sometime between 1140 and 1146. Many issues remain unclear, including the question whether Michael, the Master of the Rhetors, was indeed Basil’s nephew. Michael and a circle of like-minded church dignitaries came under scrutiny in the Synods of 1156 and 1157 regarding their understanding of Christ’s sacrifice. Basil’s personal ties with this group might account for his initially reticent stance in this matter. It seems unlikely that he subscribed to their views. The tenor in his description of the Paschal Service in a later speech before the emperor appears motivated to demonstrate this.

  • Issue Year: 2023
  • Issue No: 60/2
  • Page Range: 875-898
  • Page Count: 24
  • Language: English