Open AccessQUASI BISHOPS AND ADMINISTRATORS OF THE MARAMOROS ORTHODOX EPARCHY (1706 – 1739)
Author(s) -
Олександр Монич
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
naukovij vìsnik užgorodsʹkogo unìversitetu. serìâ ìstorìâ/naukovij vìsnik užgorodsʹkogo unìversitetu. serìâ: ìstorìâ
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2786-6513
pISSN - 2523-4498
DOI - 10.24144/2523-4498.1(44).2021.231778
Subject(s) - bishops , legitimacy , context (archaeology) , political science , law , nomination , historiography , public administration , sociology , history , politics , archaeology
This article examines the problem of development and administrative management of Máramaros Eparchy in 1706 – 1739. Particular attention is paid primarily to finding out who led the church unit during the absence of legitimate bishops Yosyp Stoika and Dosipheus Feodorovych. The publication traces the line of leaders of the Eparchy and raises both their legal legitimacy and church-canonical status. Based on the study of documents and recent research, it is stated that all priests-administrators were "elected" as bishops but were not ordained to this rank. The article analyses the activities of Bishop Seraphim, whose legitimacy is devoid of full and clear identification. In this context, it is possible to assume his status «quasi» as a pretty actual fact. The bishops of Máramaros Eparchy were elected at clerical councils, after which Orthodox metropolitans ordained them in the cities of Suceava and Iasi. In turn, the Eparchy administrators were also elected by the councils of local clergy and approved by the county authorities. The latter often interfered in church affairs, which provoked conflicts. Between 1709 and early 1710, Máramaros Eparchy was governed by a council of four archpriests. Analysis of new researches on this topic by Romanian scholars significantly adjusts the local historiography concerning the activities of the last administrator of Máramaros Eparchy. It is possible that the Eparchy continued to be governed until 1739, albeit underground, by the priest-administrator Gabriel, whom some sources put in line with the bishop. In general, based on various sources, it is shown in what socio-ecclesiastic conditions the development of Máramaros Eparchy took place. Based on the research literature, the author concludes that the administrative life of Máramaros Eparchy in this period was in a challenging situation. Ongoing trials, determination of jurisdictional statutes, pro-Union sympathies of leaders, the first attempts to introduce the Union in the district, and the immoral behavior of individual administrators of the Eparchy all made it impossible to develop and form a new church unit fully.