Heresies & Schisms
Eresie, Scismi, Deviazioni Dottrinali · 214 articles · Principal contributors · All subjects-
Abramites (ABRAMITI)
ABRAMITES. - Two sects bore this name: 1) certain heretics of the 9th century, scattered in Syria, who, embracing the ideas of Abraham of… -
Acemeti (ACÈMETI)
ACEMETI. - That is, the "sleepless ones" (ἀκούμητοι): ascetics so called because, divided into various shifts, they alternated… -
Achesio
ACHESIO. - Bishop of the Novatian community of Constantinople. He took part in the Council of Nicaea and accepted all its decisions. When… -
Actistetes (ACTISTÈTI)
ACTISTETES. - This was the name given to the members of a Monophysite sect closely related to Julianism or Aphthartodocetism (v.… -
Adalbert (Aldebert) (ADALBERTO (ALDEBERTO))
ADALBERT (ALDEBERT). - Frankish heretical bishop, who lived in the 8th century. Although he had had himself ordained by ignorant bishops,… -
Adam
ADAM. - French Jansenist writer who hides under the pseudonym of A. According to some (cf. Reusch, II, p. 890) he would be the Capuchin… -
Adamites (ADAMITI)
ADAMITES. - This name is customarily used to designate the adherents of certain doctrines which, beginning in the 2nd century, kept… -
Adelophagi (ADELÔFAGI)
ADELOPHAGI. - From the Greek ἀθήλως-φαγεῖν, "to eat in secret": followers of a Christian sect of which only a few notices remain. The A.,… -
Adimantus ('Adimantos ho Adēmantos) (ADIMANTO ('ΑΔΕΊΜΑΝΤΟΣ Ο 'ΑΔΉΜΑΝΤΟΣ))
ADIMANTUS ('Adimantos ho Adēmantos). - Manichaean preacher of the 3rd century. According to Augustine he was also called Addas; he had been… -
Adozianism (ADOZIANISMO)
ADOZIANISM. - I. GENERAL NOTION. - In a broad sense it is the error of those who deny the divinity of Jesus Christ, either really or by the… -
Aeon (EONE)
AEON. - According to the conceptions of the Gnostics, inherited from the ancient Eastern mythologies, the aeons are the personification of… -
Aeon of the Star (Euno, Eudo of the Star) (EONE DELLA STELLA (EUNO, EUDO DE STELLA))
AEON OF THE STAR (Euno, Eudo of the Star). - Heretic, b. in Brittany, condemned to perpetual imprisonment by the Council of Reims of 1148;… -
Aerio and Aeriani (AERIO E AERIANI)
AERIO AND AERIANI. - A., a priest of the 4th century, a native of Pontus, was placed in charge of the charitable institutions of the city… -
Aetius (AEZIO)
AETIUS. - Heretic of the 4th century. He was born, according to some, at Antioch and, according to others, in its vicinity, into a very… -
Aftartodocetae (AFTARTODOCETI)
AFTARTODOCETAE. - A name composed of two Greek words: ἀγάπητος ("incorruptible") and ἀγάπητα ("docetae" [v.]), used to designate the… -
Agelio
AGELIO. - Successor, perhaps immediate, of Achesius in the episcopal see of the Novatianist schismatic community of Constantinople, which… -
Agioretic, Tome (AGIORITICO, TOMO)
AGIORETIC, TOME. - One of the best-known documents of Palamism (v.), of an official character, composed on Mount Athos around 1339-40.… -
Aglipayanism (AGLIPAYSMO)
AGLIPAYANISM. - Under this name and that of the "Philippine Independent Church," the sect founded by the apostate priest Gregorio Aglipay y… -
Agnosians (AGNOETI)
AGNOSIANS. - A sect connected to Severian Monophysitism, so named because it attributes to the human soul of the incarnate Word ignorance… -
Albanesi
ALBANESI. - Members of a particular sect of Italian Catharism (v. CATARI), as opposed to the Concorezzesi (v.) and the Bagnolesi (v.).… -
Albigensians (ALBIGESI)
ALBIGENSIANS. - 1. ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT. - With this denomination, deriving from the region of Albi (Lat. Albiga or Albia, a city of… -
Alciati della Motta, Gian Paolo
ALCIATI della MOTTA, GIAN PAOLO. - A Socinian from Milan according to some, from Savigliano in Piedmont according to others, born around… -
Alogi ('ΑΛΌΓΟΙ')
ALOGI ('ΑΛΌΓΟΙ'). - A sect known to us from St. Epiphanius (Haer., 51, 1-35; PG 41, 888-953), who imposed this name on it (ἄλογος, "without… -
Alumbrados (Illuminati)
ALUMBRADOS (ILLUMINATI). - Name used to designate those Spanish pseudo-mystics who in the 16th and 17th centuries boasted of acting… -
Americanism (AMERICANISMO)
AMERICANISM. - This term designates a religious doctrine and movement of liberal and naturalistic inspiration, which matured within… -
Angelici
ANGELICI. - Two heresies bore this name. 1. The followers of an ancient heretical sect, mentioned by St. Augustine (De Haeresibus, n. 38:… -
Antidicomarianites (Antimarianites and Antimarians) (ANTIDICOMARIANITI (ANTIMARIANITI E ANTIMARIANI))
ANTIDICOMARIANITES (Antimarianites and Antimarians). - Heretics of the 4th century who followed the doctrines of Helvidius (v.) and… -
Antinomians (ANTINOMIANI)
ANTINOMIANS. - The word was coined by Luther himself in the controversy with Johann Agricola, his disciple, to characterize the doctrine by… -
Antitrinitarians (ANTITRINITARI)
ANTITRINITARIANS. - This name designates all heretics who profess some error against the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, whether they… -
Apostolic Brethren (APOSTOLICI)
APOSTOLIC BRETHREN. - 1. Followers of a heretical movement that sought to re-establish a rigorous ascetic life on the example of the… -
Apotactics (APOTATTICI)
APOTACTICS. - A sect (ἀποτακτικοί, from ἀποτάσσομαι "I renounce"), with ascetic pretensions, that arose in the 3rd century and was… -
Aquarians (ACQUARIANI)
AQUARIANS. - Heretics who appeared in the 2nd century, who substituted water for wine in the celebration of the Eucharist. This practice… -
Arabici
ARABICI. - A heretical sect of the 2nd century, which developed in Arabia, especially in the region of Damascus. The name was given to its… -
Archontics (from Greek ἄρχων 'Archon, Ruler') (ARCONTICI (DAL GRECO ἌΡΓΩΝ «ARCONTE, DOMINANTE»))
ARCHONTICS (from Greek ἄρχων 'Archon, Ruler'). - A Gnostic sect of the 3rd and 4th centuries, which takes its name from the strange… -
Arianism (ARIANESIMO)
ARIANISM. - It is the great heresy of the 4th century. Its doctrine and history are very complex; therefore the treatment will be divided… -
Ario
ARIO. - Heresiarch, father of Arianism (v.), b. in 256 in Libya, d. in 336 at Constantinople. A disciple, it seems, of Lucian of Antioch,… -
Artotyrites (ARTOTIRITI)
ARTOTYRITES. - An ancient Eastern sect, so called because its adherents used bread (ἄρτος) and cheese (τυρός) in the celebration of their… -
Aschites (ASCHITI)
ASCHITES. - Heretics who trace back to Montanism (v.). Information about them, not always consistent, comes from the ancient writers on… -
Askidas, Teodoro
ASKIDAS, TEODORO. - Origenist monk from Palestine. He appears for the first time in history as hegumen of the "New Laura" near Jerusalem,… -
Audi
AUDI. - Heretic, born in Mesopotamia, according to Theodoret "a Syrian by origin and language," A. in the 4th century was archdeacon of the… -
Bagnolensi (BAGNOLESI)
BAGNOLENSI. - Cathar heretics (v.) who in the 13th century constituted in Lombardy a middle group between the two opposing Cathar currents… -
Bangor, Controversy Of (BANGOR, CONTROVERSIA DI)
BANGOR, CONTROVERSY OF. - After the English Revolution of 1688, which drove out the Stuarts, and after the schism of the so-called… -
Barbeliti
BARBELITI. - Also called Barbeliotae by Irenaeus and Theodoret, they were one of the principal Gnostic sects of the 2nd and 3rd centuries.… -
Barcos, Martino de
BARCOS, MARTINO de. - Jansenist theologian, b. at Bayonne in 1600 and d. on 22 Aug. 1678. Nephew of Jean du Vergier de Hauranne, the famous… -
Barsanian (BARSANIANI)
BARSANIAN. - Setta monofisistica (v. MONOFISISMO) degli acefali, i quali elessero Barsanufio (donde il loro nome) come loro capo… -
Basilides (BASILIDE)
BASILIDES. - Gnostic heretic, active under Hadrian and Antoninus Pius (120-40) in Alexandria, where he was probably also born. There he… -
Berengar of Tours (BERENGARIO DI TOURS)
BERENGAR OF TOURS. - Heretic of the 11th century, b. at Tours in the early years of the 11th century and d. there on 6 Jan. 1088. He… -
Bernardo Of Luxembourg (BERNARDO DI LUSSEMBURGO)
BERNARDO OF LUXEMBOURG. - Dominican controversialist and inquisitor, b. at Strassen in the 15th century and d. at Cologne on 6 Oct. 1535.… -
Bertoldo Of Rohrbach (BERTOLDO DI ROHRBACH)
BERTOLDO OF ROHRBACH. - Heretic who lived in the first half of the 14th century, burned at Speyer in 1356 by order of the Inquisition. A… -
Besoigne, Jérôme
BESOIGNE, JÉRÔME. - Jansenist theologian, b. in Paris in 1686 and d. there on 25 Jan. 1763. A priest in 1715 and a doctor of theology in… -
Boemi, Fratelli
BOEMI, FRATELLI. - Under this name three groups of heretics are sometimes confused, which, although they all acknowledge the Bohemians John… -
Bogomils (Friends of God) (BOGOMILI (AMICI DI DIO))
BOGOMILS (FRIENDS OF GOD). - A Christian heretical sect that appeared in Bulgaria between the first and second half of the 10th century.… -
Borborian (Borborite) (BORBORIANI (BORBORITI))
BORBORIAN (BORBORITE). - Antinomian Gnostics; Epiphanius was the first to call them by this name, but they probably existed even earlier… -
Brugière, Pierre
BRUGIÈRE, PIERRE. - Publicist and constitutionalist priest, b. at Thiers on 3 Oct. 1730 and d. in Paris on 7 Nov. 1803. A canon at Thiers,… -
Bruys, Pietro di
BRUYS, Pietro di. - Heresiarch of the first half of the 12th century, named after his place of origin, perhaps Bruis in the department of… -
Buonaiuti, Ernesto
BUONAIUTI, ERNESTO. - One of the best-known representatives of the modernist movement in Italy, b. in Rome on 25 June 1881, and d. there on… -
Cainites (CAINITI)
CAINITES. - I. Race of Cain (v.), of which Gen. 4:17-24 speaks. To them is attributed the first material progress of humanity, with the… -
Calistines (CALISTINI)
CALISTINES. - A Hussite politico-religious sect of the 15th century, so called because its adherents claimed the use of the eucharistic… -
Cantor (Le Chantre), Gilles (Gil)
CANTOR (Le Chantre), Gilles (Gil). - Name of an illiterate layman who was reputed to be the founder of a religious sect that flourished… -
Capucciatis (CAPPUCCIATI)
CAPUCCIATIS. - Members of an association of laymen, of a religious-social character, founded on the initiative of a carpenter, Duranto… -
Carne-secchi, Pietro (CARNESECCHI, PIETRO)
CARNE-SECCHI, PIETRO. - Heretic, b. in Florence on 24 Dec. 1508, beheaded in Rome on 1 Oct. 1567. Son of a noble Florentine merchant,… -
Catafrigians (CATAFRIGI)
CATAFRIGIANS. - Under this name are generally designated the followers of Montanism (v. MONTANUS), so called because in Phrygia this… -
Cathari (CÂTARI)
CATHARI. - The name "Cathars," of Greek derivation (καθαρός, pure), served from Christian antiquity onward to designate certain heretical… -
Cavallari, Domenico
CAVALLARI, DOMENICO. - Priest and jurist, b. at Garopoli on 7 Oct. 1724, d. at Naples on 5 Oct. 1781. A pupil at Naples of Vico in letters,… -
Cerdone
CERDONE. - The oldest information about C. is found in St. Irenaeus. C., having come to Rome under Hyginus, is said to have taught that the… -
Cerinthus (CERINTO)
CERINTHUS.- Gnostic; according to Irenaeus (Adv. haer., I, 21; ed. W. Harvey, p. 211; ed. A. Stieren, I, 26, p. 253) C. taught that the… -
Circumcellions (CIRCONCELLIONI)
CIRCUMCELLIONS. - Name given in Roman Africa to groups of unemployed and unruly peasants and farm laborers, perpetrators of numerous acts… -
Circumcised (CIRCONCISI)
CIRCUMCISED. - Heretics of the 13th century, so named from the practice of the Jewish rite of circumcision. They are designated by this… -
Clareno, Angelo
CLARENO, ANGELO. - Franciscan (more correctly A. da Chiarino, also called da Cingoli), leader of the zealots or Spirituals (v.), b. at… -
Cleomenes (CLEOMENE)
CLEOMENES. - Heretic; he taught the patripassian doctrine (the Father is identical with the Son, having suffered in Christ) in Rome at the… -
Colliridiani
COLLIRIDIANI. - Under this name St. Epiphanius condemned certain women who had introduced from Thrace into Arabia the practice of… -
Conciliarism (CONCILIARISMO)
CONCILIARISM. - An ecclesiological error, according to which the ecumenical council is superior to the pope. The remote origin of… -
Concorezzesi
CONCOREZZESI. - They formed one of the principal currents into which the Cathars (v.) in Italy were divided: they taught a mitigated or… -
Cristoliti
CRISTOLITI. - (From the Greek χριστός = "Christ" and λύω = "I separate"). Name of an obscure sect of heretics who lived between 650 and… -
Czerski, Johann
CZERSKI, JOHANN. - Apostate Catholic priest, b. at Warlubien (West Prussia) on 12 May 1813, d. at Schneidemühl on 22 Dec. 1893. He studied… -
Damianites (DAMIANITI)
DAMIANITES. - A sect of the 6th-7th centuries, so called after the Monophysite patriarch of Alexandria, Damian (578-604), who was inspired… -
Dancers (DANZANTI)
DANCERS. - Followers of a fanatical sect that appeared in the second half of the 14th century in Flemish Belgium and in the Rhineland. They… -
Degola, Eustachio
DEGOLA, EUSTACHIO. - Priest, the last and most original figure of Italian Jansenism, b. in Genoa on 20 Sept. 1761, d. there on 17 Jan.… -
Diacrinomeni (DIACRINÒMENI)
DIACRINOMENI. - From the Greek διακρινόμενοι, the term means "hesitants" and was used by Leontius of Byzantium to designate the… -
Dissenters (DISSIDENTI (DISSENZIENTI))
DISSENTERS. - This is the name given to those who are separated from the Catholic Church for disciplinary and doctrinal reasons. In… -
Doceti
DOCETI. - The appellation Docetae (from the Greek verb δοκεῖν = to seem) designates a sect that goes back to apostolic times. According to… -
Donatism (DONATISMO)
DONATISM. - An African schism that takes its name from the bishop Donatus (v.). This schism, which for 350 years, from the end of the… -
Donatus (DONATO)
DONATUS. - He was not the initiator but the head and principal instigator of the African schism that took its name from him (v. DONATISMO).… -
Dorotei
DOROTEI. - An Arian sect of the followers of Dorotheus, bishop of Antioch (v.). On the death of Demophilus, bishop of Constantinople, the… -
Dositeans (DOSITEANI)
DOSITEANS. - Ancient sect founded by a certain Dositheus the Samaritan. The information available about this figure is very uncertain and… -
Dukhobortsy (DUKHOBORTZI)
DUKHOBORTSY. - The D., that is, "wrestlers of the spirit," are one of the principal sects born in Russia. They are also called "molokani,"… -
Ebionites (Ebionaioi) (EBIONITI (ΕΒΙΩΝΑΊΟΙ))
EBIONITES (Ebionaioi). - This name designated the representatives of Judaizing Christianity or, more particularly, some specific current… -
Elcesaites (ELCESAITI)
ELCESAITES. - A sect with an eclectic doctrine of Jewish background, showing affinities with the Essenes and Ebionites and with some… -
Elipandus (ELIPANDO)
ELIPANDUS. - Archbishop of Toledo, father of Spanish Adoptionism in the 8th century. According to the recent investigations of Rivera, E.… -
Emerobaptists (EMEROBATTISTI)
EMEROBAPTISTS. - A Jewish sect, so called because of the daily ablution practiced in it. Hegesippus, in Eusebius (Hist. eccl., IV, 22, 7),… -
Encratites (Ἐγκρατῆς, Ἐγκρατῆται, Ἐγκρατῆται) (ENCRATITI (ἘΓΚΑΤΕΙ͂Σ, ἘΓΚΑΤΗΤΑΊ, ἘΓΚΑΤΑΤΑΊ))
ENCRATITES (Ἐγκρατῆς, Ἐγκρατῆται, Ἐγκρατῆται). - The E. are the "continent" ones par excellence, heretics who represent an excessive… -
Enotic (ENOTICO (ἘΝΩΤΙΚΌΝ))
ENOTICON (ἐνωτικόν) - Name of the decree issued in the year 482 by the emperor Zeno, to put an end to the controversies between Catholics… -
Erastus, Thomas (ERASTO, THOMAS)
ERASTUS, THOMAS. - German-Swiss theologian and physician, who Hellenized his original name Lieber into Erastus, "the most beloved"; b. at… -
Eternal Gospel (EVANGELO ETERNO)
ETERNAL GOSPEL. - Expression from Rev. 14:6, by which Joachim of Fiore meant the spiritual interpretation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,… -
Eunomius (EUNOMIO)
EUNOMIUS. - Heretic of the 4th century, born in Cappadocia of a humble family, died at Dacora around 395. He spent his life first at… -
Eustathians (EUSTAZIANI)
EUSTATHIANS. - This was the name given to those heretics who, harking back to Eustathius, bishop of Sebaste, exaggerated his ascetic… -
Eutyches and Eutychianism (EUTICHE E EUTICHIANESIMO)
EUTYCHES AND EUTYCHIANISM. - L'VITA DI -
Faustinus (FAUSTINO)
FAUSTINUS. - A Roman priest, a follower of the schism of Ursinus against Damasus, on account of which he had to leave Rome, and of the sect… -
Florino
FLORINO. - Gnostic contemporary of Polycarp, a companion of St. Irenaeus's youth (v. Irenaeus, in Eusebius, Hist. eccl., V, 20, 5), at… -
Foggini, Pier Francesco
FOGGINI, PIER FRANCESCO. - Historian and theologian, b. in Florence in 1713, d. in Rome on 31 May 1783. Son of Giovan Battista, reputed the… -
Fraternity of Unity (FRATRUM UNITAS)
FRATERNITY OF UNITY. - "Jednota bratrská" (Unity of the Brethren), also called "Čeští Bratři," a heretical sect in Bohemia in the 15th-17th… -
Fraticelli
FRATICELLI. - Name given to a sect that formed at the beginning of the 14th century and lasted until the second half of the 15th century.… -
Free Spirit (Spirit of Freedom) (LIBERO SPIRITO (SPIRITO DI LIBERTÀ))
FREE SPIRIT (SPIRIT OF FREEDOM). - Under these names various groups of heretical sects are designated which from the middle of the… -
Gallicanism (GALLICANESIMO)
GALLICANISM. - A body of doctrines on the Church and of political attitudes, prevalent in France under the ancien régime (with remnants in… -
Gentile, Giovanni Valentino
GENTILE, GIOVANNI VALENTINO. - Italian heretic, b. at Cosenza in 1520 and d. at Bern on 10 Sept. 1566. He led an agitated and wandering… -
German-Catholics (TEDESCO-CATTOLICI)
GERMAN-CATHOLICS. - The spiritual climate in which this sect arose was the rationalism of the Enlightenment type, still sufficiently… -
Gnosis (GNOSI)
GNOSIS. - 1. Terminology and meaning. - Gnosis in all its forms, including those of a semi-gnosis, developed a vocabulary of its own, and… -
Guadagnini, Giovanni Battista
GUADAGNINI, GIOVANNI BATTISTA. - Archpriest of Cividate in Val Camonica, a Jansenist of the Pavia group, an intimate friend of Pietro… -
Guglielmites (GUGLIELMITI)
GUGLIELMITES. - A heretical sect that arose in Milan, which takes its name from Guglielma or Guglielmina, a Bohemian woman, the alleged… -
Heracleon (ERACLEONE)
HERACLEON. - Heretic, head of the Italian school of the Valentinians (ca. 120-80). Fragments from his commentary on the Gospel of St. John… -
Heresy (ERESIA)
HERESY. - Greek word (αἴρεσις), meaning "choice," "election." SUMMARY: I. General notions. - II. In dogmatics: heresy as doctrine. - III.… -
Hermogenes (ERMOGENE)
HERMOGENES. - Christian heretic (ca. 180-205) who, after living in Syria, where he was opposed by Theophilus of Antioch (Eusebius, Hist.… -
Homoiousians (Homeusians, Semi-Arians) (OMOIUSIANI (OMEUSIANI, SEMIARIANI))
HOMOIOUSIANS (Homeusians, Semi-Arians). - They were followers of the Arianizing doctrine that rejects the consubstantiality of the Son,… -
Hontheim, Johann Nikolaus Von
HONTHEIM, JOHANN NIKOLAUS von. - Bishop and canonist, better known under the pseudonym of Febronius; he is the initiator of the movement… -
Hormizd, Rabban (HORMIZD, RABBĀN)
HORMIZD, RABBAN. - Nestorian monk of the 7th century, founder of the monastery near Alkōš (region of Mosul) that bears his name, where… -
Houtin, Albert
HOUTIN, ALBERT. - Modernist, b. 4 Oct. 1867 at La Flèche (Sarthe), d. 30 July 1926 in Paris. Ordained a priest in 1891, he taught at the… -
Humiliati (UMILIATI)
HUMILIATI. - They arose as an evangelical movement of perfect Christian life among the wool workers of the suburbs of the Lombard cities,… -
Hutten, Ulrich von
HUTTEN, Ulrich von. - Reformer, b. in the castle of Stackelberg on 21 April 1488 into a family of ancient Franconian knights, d. at Hufnau… -
Hutterites (HUTERITI)
HUTTERITES. - It is one of the 17 Mennonite sects. Its founder was Jacob Huter, a 16th-century Anabaptist, burned at Innsbruck in 1536. His… -
Hydroparastates (IDROPARASTATI)
HYDROPARASTATES. - From the Greek ὅθωρ = water, and παραστατέω (cf. παρλατημα) = I stand beside, and therefore: I defend, is the name that… -
HYPSISTARIANS (IPSISTARIANI (HYPSISTARIANI))
HYPSISTARIANS. - A sect of the 4th century widespread in Cappadocia, but whose existence as late as the 9th century is recalled by… -
Iconoclasm (ICONOCLASTIA)
ICONOCLASM. - Heresy of those who opposed the veneration of images of Jesus Christ and the saints, especially in the 8th-9th centuries.… -
Jacobites (GIACOBITI)
JACOBITES. - Name given to the Syrian Monophysites, derived from Jacob Baradaeus, who around the middle of the 6th century organized the… -
James of Edessa (GIACOMO DI EDESSA)
JAMES OF EDESSA. - Famous Monophysite writer (ca. 640-708), the most distinguished representative of Christian Hellenism in the Syriac… -
Jerome of Prague (GIROLAMO DA PRAGA)
JEROME OF PRAGUE. - Bohemian religious agitator, b. in Prague around 1380, d. at Constance on 30 May 1416. He pursued his studies at the… -
Jeu, Libri Di (JEÜ, LIBRI DI)
JEU, Libri Di. - Gnostic writings attributed to Enoch by the Pistis Sophia (v.; ed. C. Schmidt, Koptisch-gnostische Schriften, Leipzig… -
Jovinian (GIOVINIANO)
JOVINIAN. - Heretic of the 4th century. Nothing is known about his origin and early education; the place and date of his death are likewise… -
Judaizers (GIUDAIZZANTI)
JUDAIZERS. - This was the name given in Russia toward the end of the 15th century (1487-1503) to the deniers of the Trinity, frequent… -
Julian of Halicarnassus (GIULIANO DI ALICARNASSO)
JULIAN OF HALICARNASSUS. - Monophysite bishop of Halicarnassus in Caria at the beginning of the 6th century. In 511 J. had taken part in… -
Labadie, Jean
LABADIE, JEAN. - Quietist and Pietist, b. at Bourg (Bordeaux) on 13 Feb. 1610, d. at Altona on 13 Feb. 1674. After completing his studies… -
Lambardi, Giacomo
LAMBARDI, GIACOMO. - Quietist, b. at Bevagna, lived in the 17th century. He was already censured by the Holy Office of Perugia in 1642.… -
Leo of Acrida (LEONE DI ACRIDA)
LEO OF ACRIDA. - Byzantine bishop, supporter of the Eastern Schism. Under the influence of the Greek patriarch Michael Cerularius (v.), L.… -
Leporio
LEPORIO. - Monk and priest, b. at Trier; he had spread in Gaul the (Nestorian) theory that Jesus "pro merito laboris passionisque" (John… -
Liberal Catholic Church (CHIESA CATTOLICA LIBERALE)
LIBERAL CATHOLIC CHURCH. - Two sects bore this name: one in Italy, the other in England. 1) In Italy, for some time this name was borne by… -
Lipoveni
LIPOVENI. - Romanian name of a sect of the Russian "Old Believers" or "Raskolniki" who rejected the ritual reforms that the Patriarch Nikon… -
Loyson, Charles
LOYSON, CHARLES. - French apostate and "reformer," b. at Orléans on 10 March 1827, d. at Paris on 9 Feb. 1912. A priest (1851), he taught… -
Luciani, Agostino
LUCIANI, AGOSTINO. - Hussite apostate, a native of Vicenza, died in Prague on 1 March 1493. Consecrated bishop of Santorini, he did not… -
Macedonius and Macedonians (MACEDONIO E MACEDONIANI)
MACEDONIUS AND MACEDONIANS. - Bishop of Constantinople from 342 to 360, from whom, beginning around 380, ecclesiastical historians derived… -
Mandeans (MANDEI)
MANDEANS. - In the southern regions of Babylonia, shortly after the beginning of the common era, there lived the followers of a small… -
Mani and Manichaeism (MANI E MANICHEISMO)
MANI AND MANICHAEISM. - I. LIFE. - Mani, born at Mardinu or Afrunya in Babylonia on 14 April 216. His name is of Aramaic origin; the form… -
Maratonius (MARATONIO)
MARATONIUS. - Bishop of Nicomedia, who lived in the 4th century, raised to that see by Macedonius of Constantinople (342-60) and probably… -
Marcus, Gnostic (MARCO, GNOSTICO)
MARCUS, GNOSTIC. - A disciple of Valentinus, he taught, according to Irenaeus (Haer., I, 7, 4, ed. W. Harvey, p. 121; I, 13, 5 of the ed.… -
Marino Di Costantinopoli
MARINO di COSTANTINOPOLI. - An Arian bishop of Thrace, he was summoned to Constantinople in 386, on the death of Demophilus. Shortly… -
Marrani
MARRANI. - This was the name given in Spain to converts from Islam - and there were very few of them - but especially to converts from… -
Martinists (MARTINISTI)
MARTINISTS. - They are the followers of the Masonic sect whose principal exponents are Martinez de Pasqually (b. at Grenoble in 1727, d. at… -
Massimiano of Carthage (MASSIMIANO DI CARTAGINE)
MASSIMIANO OF CARTHAGE. - Author of a schism within Donatism (v.), in which he was a deacon, at Carthage. In disagreement with his bishop… -
Melkites (MELKITI)
MELKITES. - In scientific usage the name designates the faithful of the Byzantine rite, both Catholic and dissident, of the patriarchates… -
Menander (Menandros) (MENANDRO (MENANDROS))
MENANDER (Menandros). - One of the most ancient Gnostics, a disciple of Simon Magus. Born at Kapparataia (St. Justin, Apol., I, 26), in the… -
Messalians (MESSALIANI)
MESSALIANS. - An ascetic movement with heretical tendencies that arose in Syria. In Greek the M. are called Cuchi; but Timothy, a presbyter… -
Migezio
MIGEZIO. — Spanish heretic of the late 8th century. He is little known and only through documents hostile to him (letters of Elipandus to… -
Millenarism (MILLENARISMO)
MILLENARISM. - An eschatological error, according to which Jesus Christ is to reign visibly for a thousand years on this earth, at the end… -
Modalism (MODALISMO)
MODALISM. - A Trinitarian heresy that flourished in the 2nd-3rd centuries and consisted essentially in asserting > (from J. Gajard, Notre… -
Modern Arians (ARIANI MODERNI)
MODERN ARIANS. - They are a revival of the ancient followers of Arius (v.). Today, better than "Arians," they are called Unitarians,… -
Modernism (MODERNISMO)
MODERNISM. - It is the heterodox movement that took shape among Catholic scholars at the end of the last century and in the early years of… -
Molinelli, Giovan Battista
MOLINELLI, GIOVAN BATTISTA. - Jansenist Piarist, born in Genoa on 29 January 1730, died there on 25 February 1799. Like his fellow Piarist… -
Monarchianism (MONARCHIANISMO)
MONARCHIANISM. - Nome dato anticamente all'eresia del modalismo o sabellianismo, e anche, da alcuni autori moderni e meno propriamente, a… -
Monophysites (MONOFISITI)
MONOPHYSITES. - This is the name given to the heretics who in the incarnate Son of God admit only one nature (in Greek φύσις) resulting… -
Monothelitism (MONOTELISMO)
MONOTHELITISM. - A Christological heresy of the 7th century, the last great attempt to re-establish unity with the Monophysites (v.) by… -
Montanus and Montanism (MONTANO E MONTANISMO)
MONTANUS AND MONTANISM. - Montanus is the founder of Montanism, an enthusiastic and rigorist sect that began in Phrygia around 172 and was… -
Montenses
MONTENSES. - Name by which the small Donatist community of Rome was designated, because, according to what St. Optatus states (De schismate… -
Nannaroni, Michele Maria
NANNARONI, MICHELE MARIA. - Dominican theologian, b. at the beginning of the 18th century, d. in 1771. By decrees of 18 Aug. 1775 and 22… -
Natali, Martino
NATALI, MARTINO. - Piarist and Jansenist, b. at Bussana (Imperia) on 21 Dec. 1730, d. at Pavia on 28 June 1791. A disciple of G. B. Curlo,… -
Novatian and Novatianism (NOVAZIANO E NOVAZIANISMO)
NOVATIAN AND NOVATIANISM. - Novatian was a Roman presbyter of the 3rd century, founder of the schismatic Church of the Novatians. The exact… -
Old Catholics (Altkatholiken) (VECCHI CATTOLICI (ALTKATHOLIKEN))
OLD CATHOLICS (Altkatholiken). - This was the name given to the members of the schismatic Church that arose from the opposition to the… -
Ophites (OFITI)
OPHITES. - Name of a group of Gnostics, which derives from the prominence they gave to the serpent in the account of paradise. These… -
Palamas and Palamism (PALAMA E PALAMISMO)
PALAMAS AND PALAMISM. - Gregory P., Byzantine theologian of the 14th century, founder of the new doctrinal movement called Palamism after… -
Paris, François de
PARIS, FRANÇOIS de. - Jansenist deacon, b. in Paris on 30 June 1690, d. there on 1 May 1727. The firstborn son of a wealthy counselor in… -
Passagini (Pasagini)
PASSAGINI (PASAGINI). - Heretics, also called Pas(s)agi, known especially in Lombardy in the second half of the 12th century, condemned in… -
Pastorelli
PASTORELLI. - The name of p. (pastoureaux) was given in the Middle Ages to certain bands of peasants, among whom numerous shepherds were… -
Patarines (PATARINI)
PATARINES. - In common usage, from the 12th century this was the name given in Italy to those heretics who, rebellious against… -
Paulicians (PAULICIANI)
PAULICIANS. - A heresy of a dualistic-Gnostic character, in the Byzantine Empire. The name P. was given to the sect by its adversaries,… -
Paul Of Samosata (PAOLO DI SAMOSATA)
PAUL OF SAMOSATA. - Heretic of the 3rd century, bishop of Antioch from 260 to 268. I. LIFE. - P. appears in history only from his… -
Pelagius and Pelagianism (PELAGIO E PELAGIANESIMO)
PELAGIUS AND PELAGIANISM. - I. LIFE. - Born in Britain (not in Ireland) around 354, died perhaps in the region of Alexandria ca. 427. First… -
Peter Bernardino (PIETRO BERNARDINO)
PETER BERNARDINO. - A follower of Savonarola, b. in Florence in 1473, d. at Mirandola in 1502. A man of low condition, without learning but… -
Petite-Église
PETITE-ÉGLISE. - The name designates the anti-Concordat schism of 1801, in France and in Belgium. On 18 Aug. 1801, Pope Pius VII, in… -
Pleroma (ΠΛΉΡΩΜΑ)
PLEROMA (πλήρωμα). - Technical term of the gnosis of Valentinus and his followers (Marcus, Ptolemy, Pistis Sophia, etc.). The word, which… -
Pneumatomachi
PNEUMATOMACHI. - Trinitarian heretics who denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit (c. 360-5th century). I. HISTORY. - In the Creed of the… -
Poor Lombards (POVERI LOMBARDI)
POOR LOMBARDS. - Heretical sect, widespread in Lombardy, derived through separation from the Poor of Lyons, or Waldensians. Already in the… -
Port-Royal
PORT-ROYAL. - Cistercian monastery founded in 1204, which became an abbey from 1212, famous in the 17th century as the center of Jansenism… -
Predestinarianism (PREDESTINAZIONISMO)
PREDESTINARIANISM. - A heresy that attributes both the salvation of the elect and the damnation of the reprobate solely to an eternal and… -
Priscillian and Priscillianism (PRISCILLIANO E PRISCILLIANISMO)
PRISCILLIAN AND PRISCILLIANISM. - Heresiarch, intruded bishop of Avila (ca. 345-85), whose tragic fortunes criticism is progressively… -
Procopius the Great (PROCOPIO IL GRANDE)
PROCOPIUS THE GREAT. - Commander of the Hussites, b. c. 1380, d. at Lipany on 30 May 1434. Ordained a priest, he sided with the most… -
Quartodecimans (QUARTODECIMANI)
QUARTODECIMANS. - This name designates the followers of the ancient Hebrew computation, which placed the feast of Easter on 14 Nisan (the… -
Raskol
RASKOL. - A religious movement that broke away from the Russian Church in the second half of the 17th century. However, the followers of… -
Ricci, Scipione De'
RICCI, SCIPIONE de'. - Bishop of Pistoia and the most distinguished representative of Italian Jansenism; b. in Florence on 9 Jan. 1741, d.… -
Schism (SCISMA)
SCHISM. - Originally s. (σκίωμα) means a tear, a fissure, hence a divergence of opinion, dissent; in particular: a division that separates… -
Segarelli (Segalelli), Gerard (SEGARELLI (SEGALELLI), GERARDO)
SEGARELLI (SEGALELLI), GERARD. - Around 1260 he began in Parma the heretical movement known as that of the "Apostles" and "Apostolissae… -
Seleucians (SELEUCIANI)
SELEUCIANS. - Term used to denote the followers of a Gnostic sect of the 3rd century, widespread in Galatia and mentioned by Philastrius of… -
Semi-Pelagianism (SEMIPELAGIANESIMO)
SEMI-PELAGIANISM. - This is the generic name given from the 17th century onward to the whole complex of theological movements that arose in… -
Serrao, Giovanni Andrea
SERRAO, GIOVANNI ANDREA. - Bishop of Potenza, a Calabrian born at Castelmonado (now Filadelfia, province of Catanzaro) in 1731, died at… -
Sethians (SETHIANI)
SETHIANS. - Name of a Gnostic sect which, identifying itself with the lineage of Seth (v.) or Sethites, placed the patriarch Seth at the… -
Severus (SEVERO)
SEVERUS. - Gnostic whom Eusebius (Hist. eccl., IV, 29, 4 ff.) inserts into the history of Encratism. Shortly after Tatian the sect of the… -
Simon Magus (SIMONE MAGO)
SIMON MAGUS. - A Samaritan, contemporary of the Apostles (Acts 8:9-24). St. Justin (Apol., I: PG 6, 3-68) says he was a native of Gitton… -
Speroni, Ugo
SPERONI, UGO. - Twelfth-century jurist and heretic from Piacenza. He studied Roman law at Bologna before 1145; he was a teacher and legal… -
Stancaro, Francesco
STANCARO, FRANCESCO. - Italian heretic of the anti-Trinitarian current, b. at Mantua in 1501, d. at Stobnice in Poland on 11 Nov. 1574.… -
Subordinationism (SUBORDINAZIANISMO)
SUBORDINATIONISM. - An erroneous theory or even Trinitarian heresy, which admits a certain hierarchical subordination of the three persons… -
Synergistic Question (SINERGISTICA, QUESTIONE)
SYNERGISM, QUESTION OF - "Synergism" is the doctrine of the cooperation of human freedom with Grace in the work of justification. Luther… -
Tamburini, Pietro
TAMBURINI, PIETRO. - Jansenist theologian, b. January 1, 1739 in Brescia, d. March 14, 1827. He was the brain and soul of Italian… -
Tanchelm (Tanchelinus) (TANCHELMO (TANCHELINUS))
TANCHELM (TANCHELINUS). - A heresiarch independent of other contemporary groups; he was active in Zeeland, in Flanders and at Cologne,… -
Telesforo of Cosenza (TELESFORO DI COSENZA)
TELESFORO OF COSENZA. - An enigmatic writer, who in the pseudo-prophetic literature that claimed to trace back to the authority of Joachim…